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Machine Translation: Its Scope and Limits
A history of machine translation (MT) from the point of view of a major writer and innovator in the field is the subject of this book. It details the deep differences between rival groups on how best to do MT, and presents a global perspective covering historical and contemporary systems in Europe, the US and Japan. The author considers MT as a fundamental part of Artificial Intelligence and the ultimate test-bed for all computational linguistics.
262 pages, Hardcover
First published November 14, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 26, 2019
This book needs a rock-solid and advanced background in the science of linguistics to follow properly. Unfortunately I lack this background...
March 11, 2016
It's good to refer to this book as a survey of the history of Machine Translation. It doesn't reflect the state-of-the-art development in a rapidly changing field.
November 6, 2023
"Machine Translation: Its Scope and Limits" by Yorick Wilks is like a time-travel journey through the fascinating world of machine translation, guided by a major player in the field. While reading it, I couldn't help but imagine MT pioneers from different camps passionately debating how best to conquer the holy grail of automated translation.
This book takes you on a global tour, from Europe to the US and Japan, exploring the historical and contemporary systems that have shaped the MT landscape. It's like a whirlwind vacation through the evolution of translation technology, with Wilks as your witty travel companion.
What struck me most is how Wilks views MT as more than just a cool gadget; he sees it as a crucial part of Artificial Intelligence. It's like the ultimate test-bed for computational linguistics, where the big AI dreams meet the nitty-gritty challenges of real-world language processing.
But here's the twist: "Machine Translation" is more of a snapshot of the past than a crystal ball into the future. In a rapidly evolving field, it doesn't quite capture the state-of-the-art developments. Still, it's like a cherished history lesson, a reminder of how far we've come and how far we can go in the ever-changing world of machine translation.
In a nutshell, Yorick Wilks' book is like an engaging conversation with a seasoned linguist who's been there, done that, and isn't afraid to share the MT tales of yesteryear. It's a fun and insightful read, offering a unique perspective on the scope and, yes, the limits of machine translation. So, if you're ready to embark on a linguistic time-trip, give it a go and see where the MT journey began. 🚀📚
This book takes you on a global tour, from Europe to the US and Japan, exploring the historical and contemporary systems that have shaped the MT landscape. It's like a whirlwind vacation through the evolution of translation technology, with Wilks as your witty travel companion.
What struck me most is how Wilks views MT as more than just a cool gadget; he sees it as a crucial part of Artificial Intelligence. It's like the ultimate test-bed for computational linguistics, where the big AI dreams meet the nitty-gritty challenges of real-world language processing.
But here's the twist: "Machine Translation" is more of a snapshot of the past than a crystal ball into the future. In a rapidly evolving field, it doesn't quite capture the state-of-the-art developments. Still, it's like a cherished history lesson, a reminder of how far we've come and how far we can go in the ever-changing world of machine translation.
In a nutshell, Yorick Wilks' book is like an engaging conversation with a seasoned linguist who's been there, done that, and isn't afraid to share the MT tales of yesteryear. It's a fun and insightful read, offering a unique perspective on the scope and, yes, the limits of machine translation. So, if you're ready to embark on a linguistic time-trip, give it a go and see where the MT journey began. 🚀📚
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews