<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">
<html>
<head>
<meta content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1"
http-equiv="Content-Type">
</head>
<body bgcolor="#ffffff" text="#000000">
<font face="Georgia"><br>
Markus, Alex, all,<br>
<br>
</font><br>
On 11/30/2010 1:13 PM, Markus Schlattmann wrote:
<blockquote cite="mid:4CF568F5.1070201@schlattmann.de" type="cite">
<meta content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1"
http-equiv="Content-Type">
Hi Alex,<br>
<br>
some other problems I just became aware of after thinking a few
minutes about this translation issue: <br>
It may be a little bit complicated getting agreements for copying
and translation (especially if this must be done with every single
user of a list or a board) and giving source information.<br>
It also will be diffilcult managing the translation of replies to
the original user in the language of the original posting.<br>
Direct private messages and requests to the original poster will
nearly become impossible.<br>
</blockquote>
<br>
There is as well, the point on which both of you agree, which is
that automated translation is inadequate to the task. Artificial
intelligence is actually very little like the real thing.<br>
<br>
But consider: translation done by a human would be prohibitively
expensive, and thus without the poor shadow that could be provided
by automated translation, these lists we are discussing (thanks to
the spark provided by Paul) would remain islands, largely isolated
excepting to the few (I speak as someone born in the US) who speak
more than one language with sufficient fluency that they can partake
in the original ("foreign") language.<br>
<br>
Whereas, if automation is used, at least some portion of the
discussion can be transmitted more widely. This would, I think, be
novel and of wider interest-- perhaps even somewhat pioneering, or
visionary, a glimpse into a future unified world. Further, if, for
example, those joining the discussion in Spanish knew their words
were being translated and seen by a wider audience, it might
encourage not only more, but more earnest and thoughtful
participation. (Based on what you say, the Germans need no such
catalyst!) There could as well be other advantages.<br>
<br>
Some of the issues you mention above could be addressed (although
perhaps awkwardly) if the translation were two-way. <br>
<br>
As far as agreement from the participants to have their words
translated, that could be resolved when they signed up by asking
them not to agree, but to disagree, to actively say they did not
want to be translated. If an existing list were "converted" to
translation, the issue could be handled similarly: open the
discussion, and if it were a comfortable thought for "enough" of the
participants, allow opting out, rather than seeking active
agreement. <br>
<br>
The core difficulty would be the expense of setting something up a
list or software system which could accommodate the implied options:
tracking and not translating those who had opted out, handling
individual-to-individual translated responses, and of course
selecting and integrating an automated-- free!-- translation service
(Babelfish/Yahoo? Translate.Google?). No doubt my list of problems
is anemic, but the point remains that there would be challenges.<br>
<br>
Alex indicates that some funds are available, but they may be
inadequate to the task, excepting if further sponsorship could be
found. Could one gain interest from one of the services that do
automated translation? It might be newsworthy and therefore of some
value to them for the PR...<br>
<br>
Mind you, I have no idea whether the litany of problems might be
addressed and overcome, but I thought an alternative look at the
issue might be of interest.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
d.<br>
<div class="moz-signature">-- <br>
<div style="" ;=""><span style="font-size: 110%;">David William
House<br>
</span>
<div style="padding-left: 3em; font-size: 80%;">"The Complete
Biogas Handbook" <code><a href="www.completebiogas.com">www.completebiogas.com</a></code><br>
<em>Vahid Biogas</em>, an alternative energy consultancy <code><a
href="www.vahidbiogas.com">www.vahidbiogas.com</a><br>
<br>
</code></div>
<div style="padding-left: 2em;">"Make no search for water.
But find thirst,<br>
And water from the very ground will burst."
<div style="padding-left: 2em; font-size: 80%;">(Rumi, a
Persian mystic poet, quoted in <em>Delight of Hearts</em>,
p. 77) <br>
<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://bahai.us/">http://bahai.us/</a></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</body>
</html>