Yeah, I have time tomorrow morning.Good, then. Tomorrow at ten. I don't think the test will be any problem for you. Now, let's make sure you make full use of your time here. Let's put it like this. What exactly do you want to accomplish in the next 12 months?MI'm interested in computer language translation, I mean, from English to Chinese and Chinese to English. I'll try, if possible, to produce a software or a device which can serve as an interpreter.WMYes, could you be a bit more specific about...er...the device?For instance, when, you talk to the device in English it will translate your words into Chinese and vice versa.WMWMWUhuh...do you mean it'll be as competent as...er... a human interpreter?Yes... well, I'll let it deal with general situations, at least.Fascinating... and how big will the device itself be, do you think?The size of a cigarette pack, I think. So people can put it in their pocket.Really. Well, that could be a Ph. D project. Tell me what you have done so far.In my four years of undergraduate study, I studied electronics, advancedMmathematics, hardware designing, some computer languages and program writing.Yes, but have you done anypractical jobs? I mean, have you written anyWprograms for practical use?I was involved in a project for CAD in a shipyard.MWThe computer aided design. That was probably a good experience, but, unfortunately, it may not help your present project much. Are you familiar with C-language?No.MWUhuh... the phonetic processing system, do you know how such a system works?What do you mean by "phonetic processing system?"MWWell, you know, English is spoken by different people with different accents. Your English accent is different from mine, and of course mine is not the same as my colleagues'. So as I see it, your device would have to be able to recognise and understand different accents.Oh, I see. I think I can learn C-language and a phonetic processing systemMhere.Well, that's probably true, but you've got only 12 months and you want aWdegree, don't you?Yes.MWOK, so there're two ways of studying for a degree here. You either take six courses, pass their exams and have your dissertation accepted or the other way is you do some research work and submit your project report.MWMWI think I'll take the second way.Fine, but are you sure you can finish your project in 12 months?I don't know, but I can work 12 hours a day and 7 days a week.Well, I'd suggest you spend some time in our library, trying to find out what other students have done before and perhaps re-consider your own project, to some extent. You might narrow your research area, concentrating on solving one or two major problems. And, it'd be a good idea to talk to your colleagues in the lab, first. Anyway, I'm sure we can work out something good. Shall I see you again in three days' time?All right. I'll go away and do some thinking. Then I'll talk to you about myMnew plan.Good. See you then.WMThank you. Bye-bye.
You now have 20 seconds to check your answers to Questions 1 - 10.That is the end of Part A