A10 CANADA NATIONAL POST, SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 2007

New software makes automatic translation more idiomatic – and even hockey-wise
When the hockey announcer shouts “Il lance, il compte!” and LANGUAGE ON THE WEB chat software that will translate Québé-
the crowd goes bananas, what exactly does that mean? A quick cois French into English and vice versa. TheCity of
check on language-translation Web sites such as Google or Babble- shoots, he scores!” To end the confusion, software engineers work- Gatineau is so impressed that it has invested $250,000 to help the
fish.com shows the English equivalent is: “It launches, it counts!” ing for the Language Technology Research Centre at the Univer- centre attract businesses that can develop and market language-
or “He throws, he counts!” Of course, what it really means is: “He sité du Québec en Outaouais are developing new translation and translation and chat software. CanWest News Service

‘Physical location is no
longer a constraint’
which experts attribute largely to global-
MEANING ization and the Internet.
Continued from Page A1 With the advent of the Web, mem-
bers of various “rare-diseases commun-
The word “community,” from the ities” are able to find someone else in
Latin communitas, dates back to the the world who understands their pain.
14th century and means “a group of People who make up the hypochondria
people who share a common interest community find others who validate
or experience,” said Jack Chambers, a their fears. Those in the “questioning
linguistics professor at the University community” (which has been appropri-
of Toronto. ated as part of the ever expanding term
“The community is literally the mak- LGBTQ: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans-
ing of some common ground,” he ex- gender/Transsexual, Queer/Question- TYLER ANDERSON / NATIONAL POST

plained. “It’s a sort of self-defining word. ing) can find others who share their A member of the “graffiti community” paints her name on the window of a bank while a homeless man watches.
If you put a modifier with it — the North sexuality questions.
Toronto community, the linguistic com- “Physical location is no longer a con- non-local allegiances to the point where coming more important, as if by using
munity — you immediately get a distri- straint,” said Charles Boberg, a McGill many of us know the people we com- this word, you could impute to these COMMUNITIES
bution of folks.” University professor who specializes in municate with on the Internet better groups the warmth that we associated
It has retained its original meaning, sociolinguistics. “Local communities are than we know who we live next door to.” with the traditional community organ-
he said. But it has certainly expanded, decimated by this process of multiplying The positive side of all this is that izations,” he said. The “eating community” Used
people are able to choose the community “With a local parish, the St. Mat- sometimes by grocers, growers
they would like to join, which can be a thew’s community, [for example,] and others in the food industry to
liberating experience, said Prof. Boberg. people went to the church, that was describe their clients; also used by
The downside? “It’s also an experi- the locus of their socialization,” he said. competitive eaters.
SINGLES
MEET YOURGETAWAY
VALENTINEFOR WINTER
ON THE SLOPE ence that allows pedophiles to trade pic- The “Dynasty community” Fans
*Limited time offer, airfare not included. Call for details.
tures of children,” he said. of the 1980s television show who
You and your ski buddies escape for a weekend of fun to:
People who want to cast their group ‘WITHIN THE CAMPBELL’S could not get enough of the antics of
Lovely Mont Tremblant Breathtaking the Carrington clan.
Homewood Suites by Mont-Sainte-Anne, Quebec in a positive light use “community” be-
SOUP COMMUNITY … The “Questioning community”
Hilton Emitage du lac cause it has good connotations, experts
say, citing examples such as the fat com- People who are questioning their
from $349.00* p/p quad from $459.00* p/p double occ. THERE’S THE CHUNKY’ sexuality. It is often included in the
(6-29 Jan.) (1-12 Feb.) munity, the white nationalist commun-
term LGBTQ, referring to Lesbian,
EUROPE ON SALE Last minute discount
up to 50% off
ity, and the pedophile community — all
of which are used in an effort to gain “And Campbell’s Soup [community] Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and
Book now for your savings of up to 10% off.
Travel in style and comfort Caribbean legitimacy. doesn’t replace that.” Queer and Questioning.
on our European Coach Tours. package holidays Prof. Nunberg, from Berkeley, sug- He said that in the vast majority of The “I am lonely community” An
gests that the rise of this arguably arbi- cases, the use of the word ‘community’ ad-hoc support group whose mem-
Taste of Europe
TICO#4164703

trary and seemingly ubiquitous use of is still technically accurate, even if it bers have been identified by Wired
10 days from $1535.00 magazine as hundreds of Web surf-
“community” coincides with the break- borders on the ridiculous.
Highlights of Italy down of actual community. “Within the Campbell’s Soup com- ers who type the sad expression into
13 days from $1915.00 “In Robert Putnam’s [2000 book] munity, I am sure there’s the ‘chunky Google and get taken to a forum for
Call our knowledgeable and courteous staff to choose the best tour for you. Bowling Alone, in American society the community’ and the ‘consommé com- the lonesome.
traditional organizations — the com- munity,’ ” he said. The “diaper-lover community”
T.H.E. Travel Centre munity organizations, Lions and Kiwan- “I belong to the ju-jube community People who feel a strong desire to
wear or use diapers without physio-
905 564 0074 toll free: 1 877 564 0074 is, church groups and bowling leagues
— are far less important now. ... That’s
— trivial or not.”
National Post logical necessity.
Deals were available at the time of ad submission, but are subjected to availability and price changes. when you see the word ‘community’ be- mleong@nationalpost.com
Taxes and service fees are extra. Local taxes may apply.

SPEND A NIGHT
FOR A LIMITED TIME, RECEIVE A NO CHARGE REAR SEAT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM VALUED AT $2,500 WITH
VOLVO
THE PURCHASE OF A REDESIGNED XC90 OR A VERSATILE XC70. DISCOVER CONFIDENCE WITH VOLVO’S

AT THE DRIVE-IN
ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED AWD WITH INSTANT TRACTION™, DYNAMIC STABILITY AND TRACTION
CONTROL SYSTEM (DSTC) AND WHIPLASH PROTECTION SYSTEM (WHIPS). TAKE THE SHOW ON THE ROAD.
VISIT VOLVO OF DURHAM TODAY. VOLVO AWD. CONFIDENCE IS CONTAGIOUS.

90
XC

REDESIGNED 2007 VOLVO

XC90 AWD
3.25% $628*
LEASE RATE
$4,560 DOWN
LEASE PER MO.
39 MOS.

70
XC

VERSATILE 2007 VOLVO

XC70 AWD
2.60% $548*
LEASE RATE LEASE PER MO.
$4,800 DOWN 39 MOS.

NO CHARGE REAR SEAT

ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM
$ 2,500 VALUE
VOLVO OF DURHAM 920 Kingston Road, Pickering (877) 486-4249
www.volvoofdurham.com
*Limited time offer through participating Volvo retailers and Volvo Car Financial Services Canada on approved credit to qualified retail customers only. Offer available on a 2007 XC90 3.2 A SR/XC70 A SR. $627.84/$547.86 per month; 39/39 month term with $4,560/$4,800 down payment, first month’s payment including tax, $1,515 freight and PDI, $32 PPSA and $750/$650 security
deposit are due at lease inception. Lease APR 3.25%/2.60%. Total lease obligation $24,485.76/$21,366.54 Taxes, license, insurance and retailer charges extra. Lease has a 60,000 km allowance ($0.16 per km on excess). Payment and security deposit may vary by choice of extra equipment. Purchase at end of lease for $30,186.90/$27,945 plus taxes. Receive a No-Charge Rear Seat
Entertainment system on XC70 and XC90 with a value of $2,500. $2,500 value is based on the MSRP value of the rear seat entertainment system purchased separately. Receive No-Charge premium sound on the XC70 only with a value of $1,500. $1,500 value is based on the MSRP value of the premium sound purchased separately. Offers can not be redeemed for cash value. Offers
subject to availability. Offers end January 31, 2007. Retailer may lease for less. Some terms/conditions apply. See your Volvo retailer for full details. Vehicles may not be exactly as shown. ©2007 Volvo Cars of Canada Corp. “Volvo. for life” is a registered trademark used under license by Volvo Cars of Canada Corp. Always remember to wear your seat belt. Visit volvocanada.com.