'State-of-the-Art' Is the Best of Its Time

'State-of-the-Art' Is the Best of Its Time

"最先进的"是其时代的最佳

【原文听力】

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　　By Anna Matteo

　　18 November 2023

　　And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.

　　On this program we explore words and expressions in the English language. We give definitions, examples, and notes on usage. Sometimes we use them in short conversations.

　　When it comes to learning a language, using words in conversations is not a state-of-the-art learning method. It is a traditional method that has stood the test of time because it works.

　　So, what method would be considered state-of-the-art? Talking with an artificial intelligence robot or using some other cutting edge computer technology would be considered state-of-the-art. It would be the newest and best available.

　　The phrase "state-of-the-art" also describes the highest level of development.

　　We can use state-of-the-art to describe advancements in scientific fields. Any major scientific progress can be described as state of the art.

　　State-of-the-art can also be called top of the line or best in its class.

　　We can also say something is the pinnacle of technology, or the peak of performance if it is state-of-the-art. Another way to express this thought is to say it is on the forefront of technology, development or advancement in a particular field.

　　Something that is state-of-the-art is innovative.

　　These terms all have a similar meaning: something is the latest and greatest.

　　Some word experts say this phrase originated in the early 20th century. It is now very commonly used in both formal and informal situations.

　　Now, let's hear some of these terms used in a conversation between two friends.

　　A: Wow, what do you have there?

　　B: This is my new coffee machine. It is state-of-the-art.

　　A: I can see that! It's really impressive.

　　B: It has an on/off setting that I can control from my phone.

　　A: You can start your coffee from across town.

　　B: Yes, I can! The bean container is split into four parts. So, I can have different kinds of coffee.

　　A: That is a great innovation!

　　B: It gets better. This machine is the pinnacle of coffee technology! Its state-of-the-art technology can also steam milk and add a choice of five different flavorings.

　　A: Well, enough talking! Let's have a cup of coffee! I'll take mine with caramel flavor and extra frothy milk.

　　B: Um, yeah. That's going to have to wait for a bit.

　　A: Why?

　　B: I don't know how to use it yet. But I will after I read this 20-page instruction book.

　　A: Got it. I can help. But first ... I'll go get us some coffee.

　　And that's the end of this Words and Their Stories.

　　Until next time ... I'm Anna Matteo.

　　Anna Matteo wrote this lesson for VOA Learning English.

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　　由安娜·马特奥

　　2023年11月18日

　　现在，来自VOA学习英语的《词汇及其故事》。

　　在这个节目中，我们探索英语中的词汇和表达。我们给出定义、例子和使用说明。有时我们会在短对话中使用它们。

　　当谈到学习一门语言时，用对话中的词汇并不是最先进的学习方法。这是一种经过时间考验的传统方法，因为它有效。

　　那么，什么方法会被认为是最先进的呢？与人工智能机器人交谈或使用其他尖端的计算机技术会被认为是最先进的。这将是最新的，也是最好的。

　　"最先进的"这个短语也描述了最高的发展水平。

　　我们可以用最先进的来描述科学领域的进步。任何重大的科学进步都可以被描述为最先进的。

　　最先进的也可以被称为顶级的或者是其类别中最好的。

　　我们也可以说某样东西是技术的巅峰，或者如果它是最先进的，就是性能的顶峰。表达这个想法的另一种方式是说它处于某个特定领域的技术、发展或进步的前沿。

　　最先进的东西是创新的。

　　这些术语都有类似的含义：某样东西是最新的，也是最好的。

　　一些词汇专家说这个短语起源于20世纪初。现在它在正式和非正式的情况下都非常常用。

　　现在，让我们听听两个朋友之间的对话中使用了这些术语。

　　A：哇，你那是什么？

　　B：这是我的新咖啡机。它是最先进的。

　　A：我看到了！真的很令人印象深刻。

　　B：它有一个我可以从手机上控制的开/关设置。

　　A：你可以在城市的另一头开始煮咖啡。

　　B：是的，我可以！豆仓分成四个部分。所以，我可以有不同种类的咖啡。

　　A：那真是个伟大的创新！

　　B：它变得更好了。这台机器是咖啡技术的巅峰！它的最先进的技术还可以蒸牛奶，并添加五种不同的口味。

　　A：好了，别说了！我们来喝杯咖啡吧！我要我的咖啡加焦糖口味和额外的奶泡。

　　B：嗯，是的。那可能需要等一会儿。

　　A：为什么？

　　B：我还不知道怎么用它。但是我读完这本20页的说明书后就会了。

　　A：明白了。我可以帮忙。但首先...我去给我们买些咖啡。

　　这就是《词汇及其故事》的结尾。

　　下次见...我是安娜·马特奥。

　　安娜·马特奥为VOA学习英语写了这节课。

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　　这个故事中的词汇

　　conversation –n.两个或多个人之间的非正式谈话，

　　pinnacle –n. 某事物的最高点，

　　peak –n. 某物的顶部，如山，尖锐的顶点，

　　forefront –n. 领先的位置。