Lost in Translation, by Ricky C.

Editor’s Note: This article is a follow-up to “The Second-Language Grind” from June 21st.

"A new language is a new life.” — Persian Proverb

With the proliferation of AI-based translation tools that interpret languages with greater speed and accuracy, you might be asking yourself: What is the point of learning a second language? And as these tools gradually improve, is it really worth the time and effort to develop second-language skills? It is reasonable to expect that in the near future, many people will be equipped with wearable tech that will translate in real time, making life a lot easier for those travelling, doing business, or generally interacting with people from other countries. However, I don’t think there’s an equal to learning and using a language firsthand.

I do not have a background in linguistics, but I think that it’s understood that culture is embedded in language. There are terms, concepts, and idiomatic expressions that do not get translated very well and can only be fully appreciated in the native tongue. For example, it is likely that a non-English speaker may not easily grasp the phrases “couch potato,” “backseat driver,” or “step up to the plate,” expressions that require a basic understanding of North American culture. Words and phrases provide a window into a particular group, and when you learn a second language, you are able to understand the richness that is conveyed through its words. As an example, the Korean language is centered on the concept of honourifics–the use of different words, grammar, and titles to show respect based on age, social status, or formality. It is virtually impossible to learn Korean without understanding the idea of register and its importance in Korean society. Rote translations miss the cultural context of the message and are a poor substitute for firsthand communication, which allows for a deeper understanding of the people who speak these languages.

Apart from words and phrases that express thought and feeling, there are facial expressions, tone of voice, word emphasis, and general nuance that get lost in translation. Hearing someone get extremely upset via a translation app doesn’t accurately convey the rage or agitation of the speaker. There is a sharpness and fidelity when you hear a person lose their temper in their native language that can’t be fully appreciated secondhand. Additionally, humour is an area that is notoriously bad at translation. There are cultural references, timing, and things like sarcasm that don’t cross over well, if at all. I can’t count the number of times getting blank stares from English language learners when watching an Adam Sandler movie or SNL. Whether this is due to the mental translation required or the merits of these programs is a topic for another time. In any case, humour is inherently nuanced and requires tools beyond basic translation.

In addition to greater depth and accuracy in understanding, learning a second language is said to have real cognitive and health benefits. According to Cambridge University Press, “Memorizing new words, grammar rules, and meanings exercises both short-term and long-term memory.” There are also studies that have shown that language learning can delay the onset of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Speaking and thinking in another language requires one to wrestle with meaning and form, searching for words and expressions, which is a form of mental exercise. You may often hear the refrain aimed at people as they age, “Keep your mind active.” And working on a foreign language seems like an excellent way of doing this while opening up possibilities for new friendships and connections with people from other cultures.

It would be great for people to speak multiple languages and have the ability to connect with others in a meaningful way, understanding context and nuance. But I see the reality that learning a new language is an endeavour that requires huge amounts of time and effort, and the desired results are not guaranteed. No doubt, there will be–and is–a huge need for high-tech translation tools that will serve the needs of millions (perhaps billions) of people, and this is an innovation that could help build connections between groups that might not otherwise be able to communicate. Also, this technology could help to eliminate inefficiencies in administrative tasks, business, and daily living–making life a lot easier for many. However, I hope this doesn’t discourage people from making the effort to learn a new language; it would be sad to see a future with everyone communicating through translation devices without fully engaging with and appreciating the person on the other side. The investment can be long and costly, but the payout is huge; for me, there is no comparison.