Cats talk in 'human' with new Meowlingual

Mainichi.co.jp ^ | July 16, 2003

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

The developers of the Bowlingual dog translator device have continued their quest to bridge an understanding between different species with the introduction of Meowlingual, which they claim translates cat cries into human language.

Cat lovers can use Meowlingual as if it was an interviewer's mike to automatically interpret what their beloved pets are saying, according to officials of Takara Co.

The gadget, priced at 8,800 yen per unit, will hit Japanese markets in November. About 300,000 Bowlinguals have been sold in Japan since its launch last year.

It went on sale in South Korea in late May and will be made available in the United States in August.

The dog translator was awarded the 2002 Ig Nobel Peace Prize for promoting harmony between the species by the US humor magazine Annals of Improbable Research. (

[catfur]

Ahh, but what about those silent meows...

The pathetic look, no noise that says "you are going to share that lamb chop, aren't you?

[dighton]

[MrsEmmaPeel]

She'll find whatever room I'm in, jump up on the windowsill, and scratch the glass with her claws,

Mine does that, too. I've rather fancied tying some paper towels soaked in windex to her paws and have her wash with windows while she's at it. Mr. Peel doesn't think that's a good idea.

[4mycountry]

I've heard that cats hate the smell of citrus fruits (ie, oranges and lemons), and a good way to get them to stay away from something is to spray it with orange or lemon pinsol, etc. Perhaps we should try it sometime.

Oop, I must go temporarily, my cat is ordering me to scratch her rump.

[sweetliberty]

I have it down pretty well:

• Get your lazy butt out of bed and feed me or I'm going to stick my wet nose in your eye.
• I AM going to help you make the bed.
• This is NOT what I wanted.
• Open the blinds.
• What is that cat doing in my yard?
• Let me out.
• Let me in.
• You need to come to bed now.
• I want to be petted.
• Where do you think you're going?
• I want a treat.
• Where have you been? You're late feeding me!
• What do you mean YOUR chair?
• I'm contented...for the moment.

  .

  

[MrsEmmaPeel]

I've heard that cats hate the smell of citrus fruits (ie, oranges and lemons), and a good way to get them to stay away from something is to spray it with orange or lemon pinsol, etc.

Thanks for the tip, I'll try it.

[sweetliberty]

Oh yeah, I forgot one.

• What the h*ll were you thinking?

[BluH2o]

... that are transmitted by their facial expressions, too.

Our cats, when the occasion arises, actually scowl.

[sweetliberty]

That cat looks like he could get results. Hehehe... Here's my baby.

.

[MrsEmmaPeel]

Mr. Peel (many years ago) was actually made an honorary lion by a pride of lions he used to care for at a wild animal park. No other care taker could get close the lions. He could. It took many months of patience and observation. There are a lot of tricks that he learned in dealing with lions that he applies to our 2 super-spoiled lazy house cats today. Perhaps the most effective is when conveying anger, convey it in terms they understand, not in human terms. You don't say: "Don't do that" to a lion. Just like saying: "Don't scratch there" to a cat doesn't work, either. Instead, you growl. Stand very tall (they are easily intimidated by height) - stand on your tiptoes - stare at them while giving out a growling sound, then to really simulate anger, with your right hand swish the air behind your rear end. They think you have a tail, and its just come alive, and it is very angry. They will immediately go defensive. Your response is to stop immediately and in your normal voice thank them for listening. Cats have a switch. Its either on or off. They think you have the same switch. They have now just associated their immediate behavior with this very angry response from you. Chances are, they won't do it again.

[BlazingArizona]

9. "I bring you this bloody, decapitated rat as a symbol of my undying love!"
10. "Sure you let me in five minutes ago. But that was then. I want to go out again NOW!"
11. "Can I watch Frasier with you? I like to sneer at that dog too!"
12. "No, dammit, I'm not pregnant! If I didn't appreciate the quality of this antique and the fine upholstery, I wouldn't be vomiting on it!"

[Jeff Gordon]

My cats have as wide a range of facial expressions as most people do.

[Jeff Gordon]

Dogs have masters, but cats have s-t-a-f-f!

Feed a dog. The dog thinks, "You are god."

Feed a cat. The cat thinks, "I am god."

[4mycountry]

Hmmm. An elaborate method, but I'll try it and see who reacts more strangely, my cat or my mom. ^-^

[fnord]

my older cat actually says 'uh oh'. clear as a bell.

She used to be very frequent and good with it, but I hear it rarely now. She learned it from the old ICQ program default message sound.

[Twinkie]

This is a lot like what we say to cats and what cats
hear, only with cats, the bottom bubble is empty.

[MrsEmmaPeel]

Hmmm. An elaborate method, but I'll try it and see who reacts more strangely, my cat or my mom. ^-^

There are a couple things I won't tolerate: cats on the kitchen counter, and scratching the door frame. We've used this method to discourage that behavior. They have an old rug they can scratch - but they totally leave the door frame alone-- it does not interest them at all. They can pretty much jump anywhere - except the kitchen counter. Now, they're not even interested in the counter.

[sweetliberty]

I used to have one that was a master of the silent meow. Completely irresistable. Did you ever read the book, The Silent Miaow? It's a classic.

.

[mewzilla]

My cat's a dysfunctional meower. He won't talk unless he's po'ed or desperate.

[Thinkin' Gal]

What the cat dragged in