Language barrier broken



Navigating around in a country whose native language is different from your own has always been a big problem for travelers. However, a new invention by a Japanese researcher, Akitoshi Okumura, may help make this problem less of a hassle(麻烦). It's a handheld device that allows users to chat in another language without having to learn any words or phrases.

The machine can translate spoken Japanese into spoken English or vise versa. First the machine listens and records the spoken language, converts it into the written form, then translates it into the next language and speaks the translated sentence back to the user in about one second.

For now the system is aimed at Japanese tourists and business travelers and will only be available in Japan but Okumura says that it shouldn't be too difficult to adapt the machine to work in any other languages; Japanese to Chinese or Chinese to English for example.

This invention could revolutionize the travel industry making it easier for people to travel or conduct business anywhere in the world without having to learn another language. It may encourage people to travel to countries they otherwise would not consider venturing to due to the problem of a language barrier. Or it could someday take the place of a translator for traveling diplomats or politicians.


The traslation machine

The device uses a normal computer processor and translation software to carry out its functions. The inventor also said it wouldn't be too difficult to incorporate(合并) this machine into a mobile phone as long as the phone was powerful enough. That would bring about the possibility of doing business or setting up travel preparations like hotel reservations via international calls.

Okumura admits however that the device is still far from perfect. Recognizing different accents and filtering(过滤) background noise are definitely big obstacles to overcome in the near future. This problem is proving to be quite apparent as he currently works on a version, which translates Japanese and Chinese. During development over 100 different native speaker's voices must be recorded and analyzed to give it a practical use.

As of now though there is no machine or computer that can accurately translate from Chinese to English or the other way around. The most effective way to communicate in another language is still to learn that language. So don't put down your English books just yet and keep reading Common Talk so you don't need some expensive machine to do what you can do better for yourself.

Coffee ignites interest
Edited by Kent Hill



Usually when you think of coffee the first thing that comes to mind is an enjoyable beverage.
However, there is a new way to use coffee that is actually beneficial to not only humans but also the environment. Engineer Rod Sprules has found a way to make used coffee grounds into a heat source to heat your home during the winter. As you may know there is a type of "log" available in the west, which is made from wood particles(微粒) and wax(蜡). The log is manufactured and sold to be burned in a household fireplace to heat your home. The average product typically burns for about 3 or 4 hours but unfortunately while heating your home also releases various pollutants into the air.

Sprules has discovered a similar log, but instead of using wood particles he uses recycled coffee grounds. This may sound strange but it turns out that coffee grounds actually release more heat than wood when they're burned. So actually his product, which he calls "Java Log", burns just as long as conventional logs made of wood particles and also produces more heat for your home.

He started producing the logs in his garage at home using an old clothes dryer to dry the grounds. After drying them he then mixed them with candle wax and used a car jack to press them into their final shape. After a lot of testing and improvements on his methods a factory was built and mass production began.

The benefits of the Java Log go well beyond its ability to heat your home though. Not only does the log burn hotter than one made of wood it also releases a significantly smaller amount of pollution. So while heating your home as usual you can feel better about doing less harm to the environment.

The next time you drink a steaming hot cup of coffee remember that it can not only heat your stomach but maybe even your entire home.

Cats from the future



One company in California, Allerca, has started genetically modifying cats! Why spend all the time and money required for such a feat(业绩)? The reason behind this venture into biological science is the issue of pet owners who are allergic to their pets. Over ten percent of people in the world suffer from an allergic reaction to cats, which can affect the eyes, nose, ears, throat, lungs and skin. But this new breed of modified cat will cause no discomfort from allergies to its owners.

The cause behind cat allergies is a protein(蛋白质) that is produced in the skin of the cat and released into the air. The company taking up this task has used "gene silencing" technology to stop the cat's skin from producing this protein. The result is a completely normal, loveable cat with no annoying or harmful allergies for the owners to deal with.

But isn't it dangerous to play with nature and what kind of effects might these cats have on existing naturally born cats? Allerca is taking care of these problems by neutering(阉割) the animals before they are sold to prevent them from breeding with existing kinds of cats. Also, since the pets aren't being sold for human consumption the company doesn't expect to face any problems with the Food and Drug Administration or related authorities. The president of the company, Simon Brodie remarked, "As long as people don't start eating cats and they don't enter the food chain, then we should be OK as far as the law goes." However, does that mean that people won't hesitate to buy one of these felines(猫科动物) due to the fear of risks that might be involved with owning such an animal?