(单词翻译:单击)
听力文本
Robots Could Take Jobs from Africans, Researchers Warn
It could soon cost less to operate a factory of robots in the United States than to employ a human worker in Africa. That is the finding of a report from a London-based research organization. The report warns that automation could have a bad effect on developing economies. It says to avoid that governments must invest in digitalization and skills training.
Businesses traditionally have sent production work to the developing world where labor is less costly. But, technology may soon bring an end to that.
The policy research organization Overseas Development Institute recently examined furniture manufacturing in Africa.
Karishma Banga was a lead researcher. She says that in the next 15 to 20 years the use of robots to make furniture will cost less than Kenyan labor. By 2033, she says, it will be more profitable for American businesses to return production operations to the United States.
Robot costs are falling about 6 percent every year, but the cost of wages is rising every year.
Some businesses are trying to help the human workers who are competing with robots.
The Funkidz furniture factory in Kenya ended its traditional system of production. Now, skilled workers operate automated machines that use computer-aided designs.
The investment is successful. There has been growth and expansion into Uganda and Rwanda. But the company leader Ciiru Waweru Waithaka says she cannot find enough skilled workers.
She said, "There are many people who need jobs, yes, we agree, but if they have no skills... I would love to employ you, but you need a skill, (or) you cannot operate our machines."
She also said she is urging the government to help train workers.
The ODI report writers are doing the same. They say African governments should use the next few years to build industrial and digital skills among people before it is too late.
I'm Susan Shand.
重点解析
1.developing economies 发展中经济体
When infrastructure investment is made in developing economies, the gains are dramatic and obvious.
在发展中经济体进行基础设施投资，将会取得巨大而明显的收益。
2.traditional system 传统体系
The system would be cheap, especially compared with a traditional system, and it would require very little energy.
这个系统很便宜，与传统的系统相比，它的能耗也非常低。
3.bring an end to 终结；完结
Neutral state in the area has tried to bring an end to the war.
该地区的中立国为结束战争作出了努力。
4.production operations 生产业务
Company officials said further cost savings would be generated by “unifying” procurement, sales and production operations.
公司管理人士表示，通过“统一”采购、销售和生产业务，将节省更多的成本。
5.The report warns that automation could have a bad effect on developing economies.
have a bad effect on 对...有不利影响
Alcoholic drink can have a bad effect on your body.
含酒精的饮料会对你的身体有很坏的影响。
Fights in action films have a bad effect on people, especially teenagers.
电影中的暴力对人们有不良影响，尤其是青少年。
6.Some businesses are trying to help the human workers who are competing with robots.
be compete with 与...竞争
Mike's company is competing with mine for the market share.
麦克的公司正在和我公司竞争市场份额。
You are competing with hundreds, if not thousands, of other applicants.
你在和千百个其他的求职者竞争。
参考译文
机器人或将夺走非洲工人的饭碗
不久的将来，在美国经营一家机器人工厂的成本可能比在非洲雇佣工人低。该发现出自伦敦一家研究机构的报告。该报告警告称，自动化可能会对发展中国家产生不利影响。为避免这一影响，政府必须对数字化和技能培训进行投资。
企业一般都将生产工作交予劳动力成本较低的发展中国家。但是，科技可能很快会终结这一现状。
政策研究机构——海外发展研究所最近调查了非洲的家具制造业。
Karishma Banga是首席研究员。她说，在未来15到20年内，利用机器人制造家具的成本将低于雇佣肯尼亚工人。到2033年，美国企业将生产经营回笼国内将更加有利可图。
机器人的成本每年下降约6%，而人工成本每年都在上涨。
一些企业试图帮助那些与机器人竞争的工人。
肯尼亚的Funkidz家具厂结束了其传统的生产体系。如今，技术工人开始使用计算机辅助设计的自动化机器。
这项投资非常成功，家具厂快速发展并扩张到乌干达和卢旺达。但是该公司负责人Ciiru Waweru Waithaka表示，厂子缺乏足够的技术工人。
她说：“我们承认，现在很多人都在求职，但是他们缺乏技能。我们也想雇佣你，但是必须得有技术，否则你无法操作我们的机器。”
她还表示，正在督促政府帮助培训工人。
该报告的作者也在呼吁政府的帮助。他们表示，趁为时不晚，非洲政府应该利用未来短短几年时间培训工人的行业和数字技能。
苏珊·尚德为您播报。
译文为可可英语翻译，未经授权请勿转载！
