Hey everyone!
This week, one of our younger students asked an interesting question: Is it still worth learning languages today?
Now, that’s the real question, isn’t it? 🤔
Indeed, with AI language tools like DeepL a few years ago and then ChatGPT popping up everywhere, you might be wondering if learning a language is even worth it anymore. I mean, why bother memorizing endless vocabulary lists and wrestling with grammar rules when AI can translate anything in a blink?
Well, trust me, learning a language is still totally worth it! While these AI tools are amazing and definitely make life easier, they can’t truly replace the magic and the usefulness of human language acquisition.
Let’s dive in and see why!
1-Language learning is still relevant because of the limitations of AI
Okay, so here’s the thing with AI. It lacks a lot of things that make humans basically…human.
American studios are now using AI to translate and even dub movies. They’re using AI to mimic the voices of real actors, which is seriously freaking out the professionals.
In France, in December 2024, hundreds of translators, technicians, and voice actors marched in Paris to protest. They’re worried that AI will steal their jobs and eventually put them out of business. And they’re not wrong! An association called #TouchePasMaVF launched a petition signed by over 150,000 people, warning everyone about this threat. Many translators believe AI can actually lower the quality of the translations we see on screen.
Why ? There are many reasons.
Culture clash ⚔ : A️I’s cultural insensitivity
AI can sometimes miss the big picture when it comes to culture. Algorithms can’t truly understand cultural nuances, leading to cultural insensitivity and mistakes.
Gabriela Lemoine commented on Medium a YouTube video with a speech by Javier Milei that was automatically translated to English by AI. She argues that this AI translation is inaccurate and misleading in several ways.
- The AI translation is missing context and nuance: The AI translation omits some parts of Milei’s speech and changes the meaning of others. For example, it leaves out a key point about collectivism being funded « with someone else’s money » and translates a gender-neutral Spanish phrase into a potentially sexist English sentence.
- Lack of cultural understanding from part of AI : The AI translation doesn’t take into account the way Spanish uses masculine generalizations, which can be different from English. This leads to misinterpretations, such as translating « all men are created equal » literally.
The article concludes that human translation is superior to AI translation in this case because it can capture the speaker’s intended meaning and avoid cultural misunderstandings. It emphasizes the importance of accurate communication, especially for public speeches.
Plus, things like humor, sarcasm, and even simple politeness can get lost in translation, leading to some pretty awkward moments…
AI is missing the emotions 🥹 😤
Humans are all about emotions! We use tone of voice, body language, and even the way we pause to understand each other. AI just doesn’t get that yet, which can make things tricky in social situations.
Human interaction involves intricate emotional cues that AI often fails to recognize, hindering its effectiveness in complex social situations. So never trust AI the way you would trust a professional translator for instance !
But, AI can also help translators find aspects in a translation that they might miss 👀
It’s interesting to see how AI can help translators. That’s one thing digital humanities deal with actually.
Indeed, AI can help us find things in a translation that we might miss if we just read it carefully. For example, in a recent study by K. Elkins (In search of a translator: using AI to evaluate what’s lost in translation), the way the words were used and how the emotions changed can make a big difference in how a story feels to read. In this case, not all translations of the same book for example will capture this.
In this case, AI can help us see some of the subtle things that can get lost in translation so it’s a good thing that translators and AI work hand in hand 🤝🏻
In some fields, translation mistakes can kill people 🩺
AI in Healthcare: A Double-Edged Sword?
Imagine going to the doctor and leaving with instructions you can’t understand. Scary, right? This happens all the time to people who don’t speak a language very well. They might not understand their diagnosis, how to take their medicine, or what to do if something goes wrong. A recent paper by Lion, Lin and Kim (2024), Artificial Intelligence for Language Translation The Equity Is in the Details, explains the issue.
Now, AI could be a game-changer. These super-smart computers can translate things super fast, which could help doctors and patients communicate better. But there’s a catch!
- AI can make mistakes: Sometimes, AI translations in the field of medicine are wrong, and doctors might not even notice. This could lead to serious problems.
- Not all languages are created equal: AI might be great at translating Spanish, but not so good at translating other languages. This means some people could be left behind.
- Privacy worries: AI tools might collect patient information, which could be a big privacy concern.
So, how can we use AI safely in healthcare?
- Think before you translate: Not all information needs to be translated by AI. Some things, like important instructions, should always be done by a human translator.
- Get expert advice: Hospitals need a team of experts to review how AI will be used.
- Teach the AI: Train the AI to understand the specific medical terms and language used at the hospital.
- Protect patient privacy: Make sure patient information is kept safe and secure.
Using AI in healthcare could be a huge step forward, but we need to do it right. We need to make sure it’s safe, fair, and protects everyone’s privacy.
Did you know that even AI translators can be biased? 🤖
Research showed that machine translation systems struggled to correctly translate genders, especially in languages where words have masculine and feminine forms like in French, in Spanish, etc. (Gender Bias in Machine Translation, Savoldi, Gaido, Bentivogli, Negri & Turchi : 2021).
Researchers started to see this as a bigger issue: It’s not just about grammar; it reflects how society views gender. For example, if an AI translator defaults to « he » when referring to a doctor, it reinforces the stereotype that doctors are men.
Why is this a problem ? It turns out that the language used to train these powerful tools often reflects real-world inequalities, like the underrepresentation of women in certain professions.
This can lead to translations that perpetuate stereotypes, misgender people, or even ignore the unique ways women and men use language.
Researchers are working hard to address this by improving the data used to train AI, adjusting how these systems learn, and developing tools to correct for bias after the translation is complete. While there’s still a long way to go, it’s encouraging to see efforts being made to ensure that AI translators are fair and inclusive for everyone.
2- So why should we still be learning languages today ?
We’ve just seen how even the smartest AI can’t perfectly capture the nuances of human language. There are always going to be those little things that get lost in translation, you know? And sometimes it’s only small things, it can be BIG ONES.
Here’s the thing: learning a language yourself is way more than just a practical tool.
Learning a language boosts your cognitive functions 🧠
Beyond simply connecting with people from different cultures, speaking multiple languages has been shown to offer significant cognitive benefits. Recent research suggests that bilingualism may contribute to ‘cognitive reserve,’ meaning it can help strengthen the brain and potentially protect against age-related cognitive decline.
The cognitive reserve is actually the capacity of the brain to cope with brain changes such as those occurring in old age according to Stern (2002).
Some studies have also shown that learning a language results in other cognitive benefits, particularly in cognitive flexibility, compared to learning music or attending lectures (Brouwer, J., van den Berg, F., Knooihuizen, R., Loerts, H., & Keijzer, M. (2024). The effects of language learning on cognitive functioning and psychosocial well-being in cognitively healthy older adults: A semi-blind randomized controlled trial).
The study assessed a group of healthy Dutch-speaking adults aged 65-78 who participated in a 3-month English course. Moreover, these healthy language learners showed a greater improvement in « mixing cost » – the ability to switch between different mental tasks – compared to other groups.
Research also suggests that bilingualism may potentially delay the onset of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s by an average of four years. This means that speaking multiple languages could act as a powerful buffer against age-related cognitive decline.
While some studies have shown mixed results (Mukadam et al., 2017; van den Noort et al., 2019b), the overall evidence from studies like those by Craik et al. (2010), Alladi et al. (2013), Woumans et al. (2015), and Borsa et al. (2018) supports this promising finding.
Speaking languages : a powerful skill to get better career opportunities
Multilingual individuals often have a significant advantage in the global job market, with access to a wider range of career options and the ability to navigate international business environments more effectively.
Actually, multiple studies and surveys show that when you speak several languages, you not only have better career opportunities but you also get a higher salary. Why ? This advantage stems from enhanced communication and negotiation skills, making them valuable assets in today’s globalized world
Languages foster personal growth 🌱
Language learning broadens horizons, enhances cultural awareness, and cultivates empathy and understanding for diverse perspectives. Learning a foreign language is also about understanding different cultures and how people from other backgrounds see the world.
Mastering other languages helps us become more informed and engaged global citizens. You know that if you spend time scrolling of social media : if you understand other languages, you can access news and perspectives from around the world. You’re not limited to just one viewpoint, you can compare different perspectives and form your own critical opinions.
Instead of being told what to think, you can actively read, listen, speak, and think for yourself.
Plus, by understanding different languages, you unlock a whole world of entertainment! You can enjoy diverse humor, understand different perspectives, and learn from the unique experiences of people from other cultures.
Also, cultural awareness enhances learners’ language learning strategies, allowing them to adapt their communication style and strategies for different situations as language is not just a set of words and grammar rules, but it is also a reflection of the culture of its speakers. (Hossain, 2024).
To conclude : AI is a great complement to language learning
Time to wrap it up ! Rather than replacing human language acquisition, AI can serve as a valuable tool to enhance the learning experience:
- Personalized Learning Paths: AI-powered platforms can tailor learning experiences to individual needs and learning styles, providing personalized feedback and adaptive exercises.
- Immersive Language Practice: AI can offer immersive language practice through interactive simulations, virtual conversations, and personalized feedback on pronunciation and fluency.
- Streamlined Assessment: AI can assist in evaluating language proficiency more efficiently and accurately, providing valuable insights for both learners and educators.
So the rise of AI in language processing has undoubtedly transformed how we communicate. However, the cognitive, cultural, and professional benefits of human language acquisition remain irreplaceable. As we move forward, the integration of AI in language education presents exciting opportunities for enhancing the learning experience, making it more engaging, personalized, and effective.
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