Learning a foreign language is never easy, but contrary to common wisdom, it is possible for adults to process a language the same way a native speaker does. And over time, the processing improves even when the skill goes unused, researchers are reporting. For their study, in the journal PloS One, the scientists used an artificial language of 13 words, completely different … [Read more...]
Archives for May 2012
Speech Recognition (SR) | By Jaime Fatás Cabeza | Posted: May 24, 2012
Speech recognition (SR) is a computer application that allows a computer to recognize sound waves and synthesize them as an audio stream, transcribe them as written text, or process them as recognizable commands, thus allowing control of the computer by voice. Usually, users dictate to a computer through a microphone. The application then samples and digitizes the sound waves … [Read more...]
Toss that Potato! | By Jennifer De La Cruz | April 22, 2012
By Jennifer De La Cruz I love comparing the process of being a conduit of communication to a game of “Hot Potato.” The image in my mind is that of the source language speaker tossing me information in the form of a steaming spud, and my job is to get rid of it as soon as possible, without getting burned, and doing so in a way that the target language … [Read more...]
The World of Conference Interpreting | ATA Webinar Series | April 17, 2012 | By Kristy Heimerl-Moggan
Are you thinking about undertaking conference interpreting, but would like to know a little bit more about it? Or are you considering getting back in the field after being away for a while? Then, this webinar is for you. Attend this 60-minute presentation for insight into current conference interpreting issues, including job bookings, booth behavior, and the do’s and don’ts … [Read more...]
Confessions of a Conference Interpreter | By Michelle Hof | Posted: 14 April 2012
I would love to start this article with the words “Hi, my name’s Michelle and I’m a conference interpreter,” but I’m afraid that would prompt readers to want to start patting me on the back consolingly and proffering tissues. Although, come to think of it, maybe adopting a “True Confessions” tone in this article is not such a bad idea, since it would fit quite nicely with the … [Read more...]