Κατασκευή τεστ από: Καρβουνίδη Γιώργο Καθηγητή Πληροφορικής ΠΕ20
James Owen in London for National Geographic News February 22, 2005
1 The European Union has been operating in 20 official languages since ten new member states joined the legislative body last year. With annual translation costs set to rise to 1.3 billion dollars (U.S.), some people question whether EU institutions are becoming overburdened by multilingualism.
2 Brussels, Belgium, the European Union's headquarters city, is fast getting a reputation as the new Babel. Parliamentary sessions are conducted in 20 languages simultaneously. With further countries soon to join the EU, some analysts fear the effectiveness of its institutions could be getting lost in translation.
3 Czech, Estonian, Hungarian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Slovak, and Slovene are the most recent tongues to become official EU languages. With the countries of Bulgaria, Croatia, and Romania also on the EU membership waiting list, the body is due to accommodate several more languages by 2010.
4 Even before expansion in 2004, the EU ran the world's largest translation operation - twice as big as that of the United Nations, which has six official languages.
5 EU institutions currently require around 2,000 written-text translators. They also need 80 interpreters per language per day, half of which operate at the European Parliament. The total annual cost of EU multilingualism will soon rise from 875 million dollars U.S. (670 million euros) to 1.3 billion dollars U.S. (1 billion euros), according to the European Commission, the union's executive body.
6 The European Parliament requires some 60 interpreters to help elected politicians from the 25 member states understand each other. These interpreters work in soundproofed booths, translating the words of European members of Parliament (MEPs). Even so, unfamiliar words or phrases can leave interpreters lost for words, says Struan Stevenson, a British MEP.
7 Referring to a debate last month, Stevenson said, "The system ground to a sudden halt when a British MEP described the EU Constitution as 'gobbledygook.' Apparently there is no such word in Polish and some of the other East European languages. The interpreters were flummoxed- and that's another word they'd find hard to tackle."
8 Comic misunderstandings can arise that become part of Brussels lore. For instance, during an agricultural working group session, "frozen semen" was translated into French as "frozen seamen."
9 Another MEP recalls how the expression "out of sight, out of mind" became "invisible lunatic" after a computer-aided translation.
Fundamental Right
10 On a more serious note, Stevenson said, "Because it is deemed a fundamental right to be able to communicate with your electors in [your] own tongue, the parliament now has to work in 20 different languages. This exercise currently consumes tens of thousands of tons of paper a year, as every word spoken has to be typed up and filed in mountainous archives."
11 The European Commission (EC), the legislative body of the European Union, says it's essential that legislation is published in the official languages of all member states, because EU citizens can't be expected to comply with laws they don't understand. 12 However, the resulting translation workload has meant problems for both the EC and individual member states. For instance, Estonia's government this month reported major difficulties in ratifying some European legislation because of poor translation of EU laws.
13 Richard Rowe, spokesperson for the EC's Directorate-General for Translation, says the legal requirement that all EU legislation is simultaneously published in all official languages has been suspended until enough Maltese-speaking translators can be trained.
14 "Apart from the problem of the lack of qualified candidates for some languages, we are under budgetary constraints, which means we cannot recruit all the translators we need in an ideal world until 2006," Rowe added.
15 Yet the spokesman said the EC is taking measures to speed up and simplify its written translation work, which last year amounted to more than 1.5 million pages.
16 "One simplification measure the commission has already adopted is to impose a reduction in the length of texts sent to us for translation," he noted. Now these texts should not exceed 15 pages in length.
Computer Translations
17 Most EC translators also have access to a powerful computer application called Translator's Workbench, which stores all previous work.
18 "The translator faced with a new assignment feeds it into the system and gets back a text in which the memory suggests translations of phrases, sentences, or even whole paragraphs [that] have been translated in the past," Rowe said. "We always recycle previous work wherever possible."
19 He adds that internal EC work is conducted largely in just three languages - English, French, and German - for reasons of efficiency and economy.
20 "In practice, the institutions are trying to move towards one dominant language, with one or two other working languages," he said. "Let nature take its course."
21 Unofficially English is the language of choice within the EU It is now used for drafting around 60 percent of all paperwork. English is also widely spoken as a second language in Europe, especially in Scandinavian and Eastern European countries. In Malta, the vast majority of residents understand English.
22 Officially, however, an EU dominated by English would be unacceptable politically. The French are particularly sensitive to its increased use, while multilingualism is considered a vital cornerstone of the European Parliament.
23 "Members are elected and represent the public because of their political stances, not their language skills," said Rowe, the EC translation-services spokesman. "So in the interests of democracy and transparency, the service provided to them has to be much more multilingual."
24 In fact, the amount of translation and interpretation work could multiply further if various political groups get their way. Catalan is spoken by some seven million Europeans, mostly in Spain. Yet it doesn't have official status within the EU Similarly, the Irish and Welsh are lobbying for official recognition of their native Celtic tongues.
25 For the European Union to work as one, "Eurobabble" may be the price it has to pay.
Read the article quickly and decide which of the titles below captures the essence of the article:
EU and the problem of multilingualism
EU officials plan to reduce translation costs
Is it worth spending so much money on translation?
With 20 official languages, is EU Lost in Translation?
The article has been taken from the National Geographic News website. Under which thematic category would you expect to find this article?
Environment
Travel and adventure
History and culture
Pulse of the Planet
According to the article, the EU
currently has more than 20 official languages.
has had 20 official languages since its inception.
has had 20 official languages since 2004.
has 3 official languages.
In five years time,
there will be more than 20 official languages in the EU.
the EU will probably adopt a single official language.
there will be 20 official languages in the EU.
a restriction will be imposed on the number of official languages in the EU.
As the EU expands, it is predicted that the cost of translation will
become unbearably heavy.
almost double in the near future.
increase proportionately in the near future.
be taken up by each member state.
The phrase ‘lost in translation’ (paragraph 2) conveys the sense that
the EU is losing a lot of money in translation services.
having translations done into so many languages creates confusion.
the EU is losing its need for translators.
the translation operation reduces the performance of the EU.
The author of this article is probably a(n)
EU official.
translator for the EU.
reporter on EU issues.
spokesperson for the EU.
According to the article,
the EU shares its translators with other international institutions.
the EU employs more translators than any other international institution.
other international institutions have no translating services.
other international institutions have more translators than the EU.
This article tells us there are
2000 people providing translation services in the EU.
2000 people responsible for translation services at the European Parliament.
80 people providing translation services in the EU.
over 40 people providing translation services at the European Parliament
Where would the paragraph, “The EC also admits to difficulties in finding sufficient numbers of qualified translators in languages such as Maltese, which is spoken by only about 370,000 people” be most appropriately placed? Between paragraphs
10 and 11.
11 and 12.
12 and 13.
13 and 14.
The sentence “In the longer term, such an approach may be the way forward throughout the EU, according to Giles Chichester, a British MEP” would be most appropriately placed
at the end of paragraph 16.
at the end of paragraph 17.
at the end of paragraph 19.
at the end of paragraph 21.
One of the main problems of the EU translation operation is that
computer aided translation is costly.
translators are not able to translate accurately.
it is difficult to find competent translators
there is a shortage of competent translators for some languages.
To make its written translation work more efficient the EU
has employed more translators.
reduces the length of texts that need to be translated.
restricts the languages that texts can be translated into.
reduces the number of texts that need to be translated.
Computers are used for EU translation work
because they are more efficient and powerful.
to store and retrieve language chunks which had been translated previously.
to gradually replace human translators.
when there is a lack of competent translators for a language.
The adoption of English as the official language throughout the EU is
not being considered as a possibility because of the adverse political consequences that such a decision would entail.
being considered as a solution to reduce the amount of translation work currently undertaken
not being considered as a possibility because the French would not accept it.
being considered because most MEPs know English.
The practice of translating legislation into 20 different languages, or more, will continue because
all European citizens must understand the laws they are asked to follow.
MEPs do not understand laws written in languages other than their own.
by the year 2006 the EU will have recruited sufficient numbers of qualified translators
computer-aided translation will be widely used in the near future.
In paragraph 1, overburdened, in the context of the text means
dominated.
imposed.
overwhelmed.
oppressed.
Within the context of the text, the institutions in paragraph 2 are
associations.
departments
bodies.
foundations.
In paragraph 7, “…. ground to a halt.” is the same as “…. ground to a(n)….”
standstill.
end.
moment.
disagreement.
The word gobbledygook in paragraph 7 is near the meaning of
incomprehensible.
nonsense.
puzzling.
annoying.
In paragraph 7, flummoxed could be replaced by
amused.
annoyed.
dissatisfied.
perplexed.
A person is more likely to use the expression “out of sight, out of mind” in paragraph 9 to refer to
blind madmen.
forgotten memories.
blank thoughts.
empty scenery.
In paragraph 10, the word deemed is near the meaning of
appeared.
judged.
supported.
claimed.
In paragraph 11, comply can be replaced by
follow.
apply.
carry out.
implement.
In paragraph 12, ratifying in this context means to
cancel.
change.
endorse.
understand.
In paragraph 13, suspended in this context means to
resume.
postpone.
stop.
revoke.
In paragraph 14, recruit in this context could be replaced by
register.
draft.
identify.
employ
In paragraph 21, drafting in this context means to
compose.
collect.
finalise.
edit.
In paragraph 22, a cornerstone in this context is a(n)
tool.
brick.
establishment.
axiom.
In paragraph 23, transparency in this context means
honesty.
simplicity.
clarity.
integrity.
ΚΕΙΜΕΝΟ A
Sir Roy Strong
Pure magic. Spring has sprung (… at last)
1.So SPRING, at last, has sprung. There’s nothing like spring in England, so fragile and 2.beautiful, so delicate and vulnerable, so fleeting and transitory. There is surely no season 3.more magical than this. And that, as my 70th birthday beckons, becomes truer with age.
4.I stepped out into the garden without a jacket yesterday for the first time in almost six months 5.and felt the warmth of the sun on my face. Ecstasy. Instinctively I turned towards the dazzling 6.rays, wanting to revel in them.
7.This was one of those days which sees parks, empty up till now bar the odd walker or jogger, 8.suddenly fill up from nowhere with people sitting in the sun.
9.This is a moment of universal joy which all of us can share. Wonderful. Who cares about the 10.election, that wedding or anything else? Just surrender to the utter bliss.
11.And the winter has been a long one, not so much on account of the cold, although we’ve had 12.sharp frosts, but more because it’s been so dreary, so unending. But now it’s all over and how 13.quickly you forget as you saunter out into that paradise of reawakening called spring.
14.This is the period of promise. Fulfilment has yet to come, for the trees which dot the 15.landscape are still devoid of leaf. It is too early also for the hedgerows to burst, but lambing is 16.everywhere in cheerful evidence. So, too, is birdsong.
Friday March 18, 2005 (Adapted) Daily Mail.
ΚΕΙΜΕΝΟ B
Michele Hanson
Spring is here, which means roadworks.
1.Spring is here again and the roadworks are busting out all over. Our borough seems 2.desperate to spend all its road budget by April. A favourite spot for mending is our local fiveroad 3.junction. What a grisly cock-up they have made of it this time, because some pillock got 4.the traffic-light sequence wrong: a few milliseconds for the road with heaviest traffic, but aeons 5.of time for the empty roads.
6.I took my sick dog to the vet but couldn't get home again. All roads for miles around were 7.gridlocked, bunged up with maddened drivers searching in vain for alternative routes. Who 8.was responsible for this mess? When at last I reached home, dog fainting, mother whimpering 9.and starving alone in bed, I naturally rang and complained. What maniac arranged the trafficlight 10.timing? Does he know that half of north London has seized up and that hordes of people 11.are calling for the return of public shame punishments?
12.It’s all road rage and mental breakdown round here. In the good old days, we had a rather 13.effective system of random potholes everywhere. Drivers had to go slowly for fear of wrecking 14.their suspension. Councils then repaired the potholes and everyone drove faster, so they 15.needed slowing down, so councils spent squillions on sleeping policemen, but now the 16.potholes are back, because of those old pipes, which means roadworks. They just come 17.round with the daffodils in the spring, tra la ...
Monday March 14, 2005 (Adapted) Guardian Unlimited.
ΕΡΩΤΗΣΕΙΣ ΓΙΑ ΤΟ ΚΕΙΜΕΝΟ Α
31. Through his choice of title, the writer wants to convey the idea the season Spring
is very lively.
arrived after a wait.
resembles a fountain.
passes quickly.
Which feeling is NOT aroused by the title?
Anticipation.
Excitement.
Disappointment.
Relief.
This extract most likely begins
a light-hearted description.
a personal story.
a report on a local custom.
a letter of love.
In which section of the newspaper would you expect to find the text this extract comes from?
Leisure and relaxation
Tourism and holidays
Local & national news
Politics and finance
Which phrase do you feel does NOT fit the sentiment of the text opening?
So light and airy.
So stimulating and invigorating.
So intoxicating and dreamy.
So comforting and insulating
The writer’s use of the word ‘surely’ in the 1st paragraph most probably
requests the readers’ confirmation of his opinion.
tells the reader of the unshakeable conviction of his view.
implies that any reader doubt of his statement seems pathetic.
demands no opposition to his position.
The writer
tells us his age creates magical feelings.
is facing the problems of a crisis of age.
appreciates life’s joys more as he ages.
is not looking forward to his next birthday
The sun made the writer
feel joyful and happy.
close his eyes.
remove his jacket.
look elsewhere.
According to the text, people
are not allowed to sit in the parks
prevent others from jogging and walking.
visit the parks in sunny weather.
have to open gates to enter the parks.
The writer tells us it is wonderful that we have
dazzling weddings of celebrities.
events of interest in our lives.
leaders and their policies to judge.
periods when we experience pleasure.
The word ‘And’ in ‘And the winter has been a long one, …’ (line11) indicates
the completion of a specific, previously mentioned idea.
the introduction of a new yet related idea into the text.
the concept of contrast with some other area in the text.
the connection it makes with the previous sentence.
Which sentence/phrase below taken from the text could be completed by adding, “with spidery arms contrasting against the bludgeoning green pastures”?
“And that, as my 70th birthday beckons, becomes truer with age.” (line 3)
“Instinctively I turned towards the dazzling rays, wanting to revel in them.” (lines 5-6)
“…suddenly fill up with people sitting in the sun.” (line 8)
“…for the trees which dot the landscape are still devoid of leaf.” (lines 14-15)
ΕΡΩΤΗΣΕΙΣ ΓΙΑ ΤΟ ΚΕΙΜΕΝΟ Β
43. Skim reading the text makes the force of the title clearer. This is that
‘roadworks’ and ‘spring is here’ describe the same thing.
the spring weather creates the need for roadworks.
workers prefer to work outdoors in the spring.
for some reason roadworks happen in spring.
Throughout the text the writer conveys his sense of
frustration.
indifference.
determination.
satisfaction.
The local five-road junction
was a result of bad road planning.
always created traffic problems.
had too many traffic lights.
was being mended this spring.
The local five-road junction is a place where
people like to meet
road repairs are often in progress.
workers enjoy their working environment.
repairs improve circulation.
A pillock (line 3) seems to be a word used to refer to a person with
great ingenuity
good thinking abilities.
low and slow intelligence.
sarcastic humour.
The writer
left his dog with the vet.
walked the dog home.
carried his dog home.
took a long time to drive his dog home.
Probably the writer’s mother
is bedridden.
can’t cook.
is lazy and demanding.
has to follow a diet.
Half of north London’s
inhabitants are ashamed.
inhabitants are ill.
roads need repairing.
drivers are stuck.
In the distant past, potholes
had been built in the roads by the local Council.
were a method used to slow down traffic.
didn’t use to be repaired by the local Council
were designed to make drivers in the area be careful and safe.
The old pipes
needed repairing.
made drivers angry.
grew daffodils.
replaced sleeping policemen.
The phrase “ ….where traffic could move” could be added after
“A favourite spot for mending is our five-road junction.” (lines 2-3)
“…. bunged up with maddened drivers searching in vain for alternative routes.” (line 7)
“It’s all road rage and mental breakdown round here.” (line 12)
“…but now the potholes are back, because of those old pipes, which means roadworks.” (lines 15 and 16)
The last sentence of text B, “They just come around with the daffodils in the spring, tra la…”, tells us
it’s a happy season.
you have to sing.
it’s a season of madness.
the pipes make music.
ΕΡΩΤΗΣΕΙΣ ΓΙΑ ΤΑ ΚΕΙΜΕΝΑ Α ΚΑΙ Β
55. Which word from text ‘A’ best represents the feelings of drivers in the 1st paragraph of text ‘B’?
revel (line 6)
share (line 9)
surrender (line 10)
burst (line 15)
The sentence, “Just surrender to the utter bliss” (line 10) from text ‘A’ could best be in text ‘B’ after the sentence
“…a few milliseconds…. for the empty roads.” (lines 4-5)
“When at last ... rang and complained.” (lines 8- 9)
“It’s all road rage and mental breakdown round here.” (line 12)
“They just come round…. in the spring, …” (lines 16-17)
Which word from text ‘A’ might you most likely expect to encounter in an expanded form of the 2nd paragraph of text ‘B’?
Ecstacy
Cares
Transitory
Cheerful
Which expression from text ‘B’ would best describe the opposite atmosphere from the one created in the 2nd paragraph of text A?
“busting out” (line 1)
“whimpering and starving” (lines 8-9)
“public shame” (line 11 )
“mental breakdown” (line 12)
The sentence, “They just come round with the daffodils in the spring” (lines 16-17) from text ‘B’ could best be in text ‘A’ after the sentence
“Instinctively, I turned …to revel in them”. (lines 5-6)
“This was one of those days…with people in the sun”. (lines7-8)
“Fulfillment has yet to come…devoid of leaf”. (lines 14-15)
“It’s too early also for the hedgerows…in cheerful evidence”. (lines 15-16)
Which word from text ‘B’ might you most likely expect to encounter in an expanded form of the 3rd paragraph of text ‘A’?