The Language Machine
Those who see the spread of automated machines as a nefarious force out to
usurp the proper functions of mankind have corroboration for their belief 
in the language machine. The paltry of handful of expert translators with 
a profound knowledge of many foreign languages leaves a wide gap in our 
sources of vital information. With important technological and scientific
work being done abroad, it is difficult to condone the situation. A machine
may be set to treat a foreign language as a coded message which it can 
analyze and put into English. Perhaps it will not do an impeccable job, but
it will permit the translation of even the most trivial foreign reports
and writings. As bizarre as it might seem, machines are taking over as
translators in ever increasing numbers.


to feather one's nest--He played up to his senile aunt in the hope
of feathering his nest when she made out her will.
(to enrich oneself on the sly or at every opportunity.)