Some people say that computers can translate languages, so children need not study foreign languages anymore. v.1
Some people say that computers can translate languages, so children need not study foreign languages anymore. v. 1
Some students are thinking of giving up studying English as modern machines can do the job of translation. However, I think it is wrong to drop studying English, as machines cannot do perfectly, especially in translation, which is a sophisticated process and needs so many skills.
Firstly, what machines can do now is translate word for word, without consideration of context. When a computer translates scientific works, they can do a satisfying job. But when it comes to literature works, they cannot weigh every word according to different situations, and thus their job cannot display the path of original works. Suppose we give a poem by Shakespeare for translation, we can imagine how ridiculous the translation would be.
Secondly, machines cannot convey the manner of speakers. If the speaker says in different tones like surprisingly, sarcastically or delightedly, the machine will not be able to express the emotions of people; therefore, we have no idea of what speakers really mean. When there is face-to-face communication, we can understand people judging from their expressions, body gestures and so on, even if we do not use many words. But machines cannot do this.
On the other hand, English study offers one a new and different perspective of English-speaking countries because language and culture are closely related to each other. Machines can never do this. When we study English, we not only learn the language but also know more about the culture, history and customs. Machines can never replace the process of English study and give us a better understanding of the cultural background.
To sum up, translation machines help us in some way but it doesn't mean that we can quit studying English because English study can give us much more than the English language itself.
Some
students are thinking of giving up studying English as modern
machines
can do the job of
translation
.
However
, I
think
it is
wrong
to drop studying English, as
machines
cannot do
perfectly
,
especially
in
translation
, which is a sophisticated process and needs
so
many
skills
.
Firstly
, what
machines
can do
now
is
translate
word
for
word
, without consideration of context. When a computer translates scientific works, they can do a satisfying job.
But
when it
comes
to literature works, they cannot weigh every
word
according to
different
situations, and
thus
their job cannot display the path of original works. Suppose we give a poem by Shakespeare for
translation
, we can imagine how ridiculous the
translation
would be.
Secondly
,
machines
cannot convey the manner of speakers. If the speaker says in
different
tones like
surprisingly
,
sarcastically
or
delightedly
, the
machine
will not be able to express the emotions of
people
;
therefore
, we have no
idea
of what speakers
really
mean. When there is face-to-face communication, we can understand
people
judging from their expressions, body gestures and
so
on, even if we do not
use
many
words.
But
machines
cannot do this.
On the other hand
, English
study
offers one a new and
different
perspective of English-speaking countries
because
language and culture are
closely
related to each other.
Machines
can never do this. When we
study
English, we not
only
learn the language
but
also
know more about the culture, history and customs.
Machines
can never replace the process of English
study
and give us a better understanding of the cultural background.
To sum up,
translation
machines
help
us in
some
way
but
it doesn't mean that we can quit studying English
because
English
study
can give us much more than the English language itself.
10Linking words, meeting the goal of 7 or more
21Repeated words, meeting the goal of 3 or fewer
1Mistakes