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3) How did speech-enabled computers become familiar in the United
Kingdom?
4) Whom are these computers expected to help?
5) What is the problem with speech-enabled computers at present?
6) How does the system work?
5.6 “Language is the highest skill possessed by mankind.” What do you
think about this statement?
5.7 – Did you know that there will soon be computers that can in a few
seconds exchange more words than have ever been spoken in the whole history
of mankind!
- Did you know that the age of the average computer programmer is 12?
- Did you know that if the car industry had developed at the same rate as the
computer over the past few years, a Rolls-Royce would now cost 50p?
5.8 Read this interview with Lynn Dermott, who works for the Low Pay
Unit. This is a voluntary organization which monitors the effects of government
policy and union action on the worst-paid members of the work force. She talks
about possible future trends in working conditions. Computers and the
development of the communications industry could mean that many people will
work at home.
I=Interviewer
D=Lynn Dermott
I Miss Dermott, do you think that technology has advanced so far that soon
many people could work at home instead of working in offices in the centre of
towns?
D Oh yes. It’s happening now. You see there have been such enormous
advances in the communications industry, with mini- and micro-computers, and, of
course, now with cable TV on its way, many people are already working from home
who traditionally have had to go into an office every day.
I And how do these people manage to work? I mean, what equipment do they
have at home?
D Well, they have a home terminal, that consists of a television, a keyboard
and computer, a printer, and a telephone link, to link up to other computers.
I Oh, I see. But surely there are many advantages in being able to work from
home?
D Oh, yes. I mean, people spend a lot of their working day actually getting to
and from their place of work, never mind the expense of that, and the stress it can
cause. I mean the rush hours…Besides, people don’t want to live actually in the
centre of cities and towns. And of course the transporting of so many people causes
pollution in our cities.
I Ar yes, I see. So what is it that you don’t like about the conditions of home-
workers?
30
3) How did speech-enabled computers become familiar in the United
Kingdom?
4) Whom are these computers expected to help?
5) What is the problem with speech-enabled computers at present?
6) How does the system work?
5.6 “Language is the highest skill possessed by mankind.” What do you
think about this statement?
5.7 – Did you know that there will soon be computers that can in a few
seconds exchange more words than have ever been spoken in the whole history
of mankind!
- Did you know that the age of the average computer programmer is 12?
- Did you know that if the car industry had developed at the same rate as the
computer over the past few years, a Rolls-Royce would now cost 50p?
5.8 Read this interview with Lynn Dermott, who works for the Low Pay
Unit. This is a voluntary organization which monitors the effects of government
policy and union action on the worst-paid members of the work force. She talks
about possible future trends in working conditions. Computers and the
development of the communications industry could mean that many people will
work at home.
I=Interviewer
D=Lynn Dermott
I Miss Dermott, do you think that technology has advanced so far that soon
many people could work at home instead of working in offices in the centre of
towns?
D Oh yes. It’s happening now. You see there have been such enormous
advances in the communications industry, with mini- and micro-computers, and, of
course, now with cable TV on its way, many people are already working from home
who traditionally have had to go into an office every day.
I And how do these people manage to work? I mean, what equipment do they
have at home?
D Well, they have a home terminal, that consists of a television, a keyboard
and computer, a printer, and a telephone link, to link up to other computers.
I Oh, I see. But surely there are many advantages in being able to work from
home?
D Oh, yes. I mean, people spend a lot of their working day actually getting to
and from their place of work, never mind the expense of that, and the stress it can
cause. I mean the rush hours…Besides, people don’t want to live actually in the
centre of cities and towns. And of course the transporting of so many people causes
pollution in our cities.
I Ar yes, I see. So what is it that you don’t like about the conditions of home-
workers?
30
