16 December 2011 / by Radmila Gurkova

Learning Languages with CAPTCHAs

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQl6jUjFjp4

The term CAPTCHA (for Completely Automated Public Turing Test To Tell Computers and Humans Apart) was coined in 2000 by Luis von Ahn, Manuel Blum, Nicholas Hopper and John Langford of Carnegie Mellon University. Luis - the man who brought you the word CAPTCHA and reCAPTCHA, now unveils his newest and most innovative project to date, please watch the video.



The process is a type of challenge response test used in computing as an attempt to ensure the response is generated by a human.

The process usually involves one computer (a server) asking a user to complete a simple test which the computer is able to generate and grade. Because other computers are assumed to be unable to solve the CAPTCHA, any user entering a correct solution is presumed to be human. Thus, it is sometimes described as a reverse Turing test (The Turing test is a test of a machine's ability to exhibit intelligent behaviour) because it is administered by a machine and targeted at a human, in contrast to the standard Turing test that is typically administered by a human and targeted at a machine. A common type of CAPTCHA requires the user to type letters or digits from a distorted image that appears on the screen.

Yes we've all done this at some point and got it right or probably got it wrong... Go through this target language relating to CAPTCHA, taken from a conference by Luis von Ahn.


































































Word Image Definition Example Listen
 CAPTCHA Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart; a type of challenge-response test used in computing as an attempt to ensure that the response is generated by a person Amazon.com uses CAPTCHAs.  Listen
 Check The act or an instance of inspecting or testing, as for accuracy or quality; examination. The careful check of each unit before sale; gave the car an oil check.  Listen
 Deploy To spread out strategically A poet demanded that the government end its strategy of deploying the army against crime groups. Listen
 Spam Electronic mail with irrelevant content I receive a lot of spam in my mail.  Listen
Digitize To convert (data) to digital form for use in a computer. Today a lot of books are digitize. Listen
Expenditure The act of expending something, especially funds; disbursement; consumption. A Rolex watch is an unnecessary expenditure.  Listen
 Untapped Not utilized:not used The company had untapped resources that we were able to use.  Listen
 Response An answer or reply I need a response to the question.  Listen

 

"After re-purposing CAPTCHA so each human-typed response helps digitize books, Luis von Ahn wondered how else to use small contributions by many on the Internet for greater good. At TEDxCMU, he shares how his ambitious new project, Duolingo, will help millions learn a new language while translating the Web quickly and accurately -- all for free."

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE



GRAMMAR PRACTICE


Click here to read a post that helps to explain one of the grammar issues in this video: the use of 'real' and 'really'.

There is another post here that helps set out some points about the use of the verb 'to have' related to this topic.

READ MORE


Click here to read the transcript of the CAPTCHA video presentation.

 

19

July 2012
The Goring of the Bulls
by Radmila Gurkova
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qmp4DjtWcuw Have you ever been to the running of the bulls in Pamplona? This event has recently made the news yet again... Half-ton fighting bulls have trampled and knocked over more runners during Spain's San Fermin festival, injuring at least 10 people....

19

July 2012
The Ghosts of Spain
by Radmila Gurkova
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apQkjjcqGnI When you go aborad, which airport do you normally use? Do you know how many airports there are in Spain? Do you think there are too many? Have a look at this video and read a related news story... Have you heard about the billion euro airport designed during Spain's booming economy, ser...

12

July 2012
A Scottish Visitor's Guide
by Radmila Gurkova
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LnVIo3Bwzs Do you have your vacation booked this year? Where are you going? Have you ever visited Scotland? When you visit different countries and towns most guide books tell you the "Do's and Don'ts". Do you listen to the rules or do you just do what you want to do? The Japanese - when visiting Scotland - ha...

12

July 2012
Five Things You Should Know About ''the man'' snooping on your digital stuff
by Radmila Gurkova
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nuMogouSM8 Is it legal for someone to read your email if you don't log out? Do you have to unlock your phone if a police officer asks? Can a private Facebook post be used against you in court? If these are questions that you don't know the answer to then r...

05

July 2012
What would you sell on eBay?
by Radmila Gurkova
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLRzN3m97qE A religious order in the Tuscan countryside has become FRUSTRATED by the lack of interest in their small village TUCKED away in the hills. So they have put the whole thing up for sale on eBay. The village – Pratariccia requires some work but could be yours for €2.5...

05

July 2012
The Bubonic Plague is Back!
by Radmila Gurkova
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIhYDcfsN2I&feature=player_embedded Did you know there has been a man diagnosed recently in America with the Bubonic Plague? A Man lies in CRITICAL condition in a US hospital after being DIAGNOSED from SUFFERING with the Bubonic Plague. The man...

28

June 2012
Smoking at work... more than just a break?
by Radmila Gurkova
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BsggEckcjg Are you a smoker? How many people smoke at your workplace? This video shows some thoughts about smoking in the workplace... Here are some statistics COLLATED in March this year about employees at work taking a “FAG” – cigarette break Two in five of tho...

28

June 2012
Just-In Time!
by Radmila Gurkova
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdadZ_KrZVw Do you have enough time in the day? Ever wish you had more time to do something? What would you do? Have you heard about Justin Timberlake's new movie 'Just in Time' (En Tiempo)? This is a movie about the future where everyone is 25 years old and is about to die or is working for additi...

21

June 2012
Are you a daredevil?
by Radmila Gurkova
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eY4XAajKXLs&feature=related Nik Wallenda became a real-life Daredevil over night. On Friday the 15th June he BALANCED on a 51mm wire SUSPENDED 46 meters above one of the world’s most dangerous waters - Niagara Falls. He began his STUNT...

21

June 2012
Potatoes with your car wash?!
by Radmila Gurkova
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8Vs-KMuqjI Attracting business is extremely TOUGH in today’s world but it seems that one Madrilenian car wash owner will go to any extreme to get your money. He is offering to wash your car and you can take away a bottle of Rioja, three kilos of potatoes or he will buy you a beer in the bar ...