喪禮誦經都可以代勞！日機器人搶和尚飯碗
A Japanese company has introduced a new role for SoftBank’s humanoid robot “Pepper”— a Buddhist priest for hire at funerals.
一家日本公司為軟銀的人型機器人「Pepper」創造了一個新角色：主持喪禮的佛教僧侶。
humanoid(n.)人型機器人
Adorned with Buddhist robes and a high-resolution tablet, the cute, big-eyed bot is able to chant sutras in a computerized voice while beating a drum.
身上穿著佛教的袈裟並戴著高解析度的平板電腦，這個可愛、有著大眼睛的機器人能一邊敲木魚，一邊用電腦化的聲音誦經。
adorn(v.)裝扮;裝飾chant(v.)念誦sutra(n.)佛經
The robot was recently unveiled at the Life Ending Industry Expo, a funeral industry fair in Tokyo.
這款機器人最近在生命禮儀產業博覽會亮相，是一個在東京舉行的殯葬產業商展。
unveil(v.)介紹;展示;將...公諸於眾
Nissei Eco Co., a Japanese plastic molding manufacturer, created the software for “Pepper”.
日本一家塑膠模具製造商日精環保有限公司為「Pepper」編寫誦經軟體。
The robot was first introduced by telecommunications company SoftBank Group Corp. in 2014 and is known for its sophisticated AI ability to perceive and respond to human emotions.
「Pepper」機器人由電信通訊公司軟銀集團於2014年推出，以尖端的人工智能著稱，能察覺並回應人類的情緒。
sophisticated(adj.)精密的;尖端的perceive(v.)察覺;注意到
With Japan’s population ageing and shrinking, many Buddhist priests receive less financial support from their communities, prompting some to find part-time work outside their temple duties, said Michio Inamura, Nissei’s executive adviser.
日精環保公司的執行顧問稻村表示，隨著日本的人口老化並減少中，許多日本的佛教僧侶從信眾那獲得的捐助越來越少，促使有些僧侶必須在寺廟的職務之外，另外找兼職。
shrink(v.)縮水;減少prompt sb. to RV促使...做...
He suggested that the “funeral robot” could provide a cheaper alternative to human priests.
他指出，「喪禮機器人」可能成為比人類僧侶更便宜的替代選項。
alternative (n.)替代選項take the place of~取代
It costs less at 50,000 yen ($450) per funeral in comparison to more than 240,000 yen ($2,200) for a human priest.
相較於一般僧侶費用24萬日圓（2200美元）以上，「喪禮機器人」每場喪禮花費不到5萬日圓（450美元）。
in comparison to~與...相比;相較於=compared with~
The robot has not yet been hired for a funeral. Some skeptics have expressed concern with the robots’ ability to understand faith and religion, questioning its lack of spirituality.
這款機器人還沒有真正主持過喪禮。有些持懷疑態度的人擔心機器人沒有理解信仰和宗教的能力，質疑機器人缺乏靈性。
skeptic(n.)持懷疑態度的人=doubterspirituality(n.)靈性
“If anything, it’s a mockery of the devotion and care that prayer is meant to embody,” says Devin Coldewey, a writer for TechCrunch.
替TechCrunch網站撰文的作家德文寇德威評論道：「如果有什麼區別的話，這個機器人是對為逝者祈禱應該體現的奉獻和關懷的嘲諷。」
if anything如果有什麼區別的話mockery(n.)嘲笑;譏笑disrespect for…對...不敬embody(v.)體現