When I first went to Japan I didn't know anything about Japanese. But I felt that I would be okay because technology was on my side. I had a PSP (Playstation Portable) and a game called Talkman. I figured this game would do all the talking for me. But the technology wasn't really advanced enough and I ended up having to take the time to learn.
But now, with technology advancing seemingly faster than ever, will there be a time when technology makes actual learning of languages obsolete? This is an old video but the technology that is being developed seems like it would make it almost unnecessary to learn new languages.
Here's an application that is currently available for the iphone.
I hope that learning a language is never seen as obsolete. The technology which would allow us to be able to communicate without investing time and energy in studying the language is certainly useful, but I think that learning a new language encourages language learners to engage not only with the new language, but also with the people who speak this language and any associated cultures and traditions. When you make the effort to learn a person's language, I think you are able to communicate with them in a much richer way than you would be able to with the use of a device or program. It seems to me that the technology can connect you to a speaker of a different language, but may also keep you at an arms length.
ReplyDeleteInteresting thought crmr ... technology can connect one to a speaker of another language AT THE SAME TIME keep one at arms length. Very insightful. Thanks. Cat
DeleteI agree I would much rather talk to a person than a robot. A person communicates a lot with facial expressions, excitement, volume, etc. where a computer is monotone and uninteresting. I can see language translating helping communication via the internet or in hospitals or with emergency workers or government services, but I do not seeing used in everyday situations with friends and colleagues.
DeleteVery well put, I know that when I was trying to use my PSP to talk to people I wasn't really talking to them and they weren't really responding to me. The PSP was always everyone main focus AND it usually just made people stare at me like I was crazy. It definitely made it impossible to have a connection and I most certainly was just being lazy. If I had relied on this type of technology I would have completely missed out on the human interaction and all the learning about the people and their culture that comes with language acquisition.
ReplyDeleteArm323, see, a tool and not a replacement :)
DeleteThis is an excellent question. I am glad to see that the technology isn't perfect yet. When it is perfected, then the number of EFL students around the globe will probably drop. Most English language learning may eventually happen in English-speaking countries for new immigrants. This is fine, but it takes away the adventure of living and teaching abroad. I am glad that I had that opportunity.
ReplyDeleteI do not think technology will ever replace ESL instruction. Even though advancements in the field are rapidly evolving the teachers role is essential to teaching communication skills. The video clips showed examples of technology that will allow people to get by, but not carry on a real conversation.
ReplyDeleteNice topic. Since I began to learn English, I am always hoping that one day I may freely communicate with any another language speaker with the help of some kind of awesomely advantaged technology. But the truth is that even the smartest robot what we can imagine now is subject to prior setting under control of human. Talking to a machine that can directly translate discourse between interlocutors always slow the pace of real communication, sometimes it looks weird when a cognitive flesh is talking with a cold machine on the road or in a crowd.
ReplyDeleteThe technology may never completely solve the problem of learning foreign language in terms of the creature of human, I think, maybe, one day we would like to accept the clip transplant in our brain if it is possible. Teaching and learning are still necessary, however, at least the technology indeed has changed our teaching and learning methods, styles, approaches and has resulted in huge repercussion not at school, but also on social life.
Min, you make a terrific point about the source of the programming being other humans. I am often surprised both by the advancements and limitations of technology and wonder how long before we encounter brain transplants or other embedded devices to help with language.
DeleteAt the same time, I also recognize that language learning is about so much more than vocabulary and grammar. From the perspective of communicative competence, it also entails knowing when to say what in the right context, and that is something that I have yet to see sufficiently addressed by software.
Wow! I had not idea of the advancement interpretation systems and one could obtain this via their ipod. I would agree with crmr, learning another language, or any subject, could ever be seen as obsolete. In any learning environment, engaging is the key to successful learning. Engaging leads to meaningful learning and teaching via technology is essential. Our goal with technology is integrating meaningful learning, inquiring using technology, experimenting via technology, communicating, community building and collaborating all thru technology, writing, visualizing, assessing, teaching, all by first modeling technology. Technology should not replace, but add as a tool to enhance learning. I digress, being successful in learning another language is the knowing when, where, and how to use correct context from a specific culture of that language. What could mean one thing in one language could mean something completely different in another. Something we discussed just last week in class. Excellent post. Thanks. Cat
ReplyDeleteAs you admitted, having a technology (PSP and a game called Talkman) on your side was not enough to cover your needs during a trip.
ReplyDeleteany kind of technology, for some reason, has a limitations. This means we, as humans, do not depend on our technology all the time. The technology has been made by humans to be used by us.
Now, the technology should be applied and help us in our life, but it will not replace our decisions, actions, etc.
You may ask,"Will there be a time when technology makes actual learning of language absolute?" Well, I do not believe it will!
Having all the technology tools will never replace the human contact necessary for communication. Technology helps by providing new ways of communicating with other people and to search for information but it will never replace the human contact needed. I agree with one of our classmate that technology should be applied and help us in our life, but it will not replace our decisions or actions after all it’s a machine that we program for our use.
ReplyDeleteWell, It seems that people are in a dilemma. People need technology to help them to do what they can`t do, but human also don`t want to be replaced by technology. It looks like the scenario in the movies, like "I,Robot" and "Terminator". However, I agree with what you mentioned, the technology is just the subsidiary product offering supports and helps to human, and human are the dominant decision makers.
DeleteWell, I think this kind of technology will never be obsolete. Because there are always some groups of people can`t speak second language including English. This real-time translator technology satisfies the need of people. In my view, there used to be a lot of other real-time translator technologies, like “YaoDao” translator in my country. However, they are not advanced enough and real-time enough. The most disadvantage of “YouDao” translator is not portable. As what the Japanese technician mentioned, the accuracy is the problem to be resolved. I think this is understandable, because even Iphone Siri can`t do the 100% accuracy to receive the income information, either. Therefore, there are still great chunks for real-time technology to develop to be more advanced in the not-too-distant future.
ReplyDeleteMy hope is that this will increase the interest for learning a language. I can remember the debate in school about students using calculators and therefore they will not learn math (just thinking that made me feel old). It is not the case. Math is more important than ever. The calculator was a response to the growing need for using math. To apply the same reasoning to language learning would say that learning a language and being multi-cultural is a growing need and these devices are a response to that. I personally have used translation devices and they are amazingly cool. It shows me how possible it is to learn a language. It takes the fear out of new languages because you can see it and hear it. The more exposure people have to other languages, other cultures, the less fear and more interest they will have in learning a language. I hope.
ReplyDeleteIf the people just to travel to go to another country, we can use the technology to help people translation and conersation. But when the people need to study or living in the new country the technology cannot help people lives. After all the technology just a machine, no feeling, no life. So i think use the technology that is not good way learning English or another country's languages.
ReplyDeletewow great !! I wonder if it translates better than Google translation, you remind me of another advertisement ,older, that really surprised me but it was German
ReplyDeletehere is a youtube video :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-v8c7J1xCw
Considering Aristotle was worried that writing would stop people from thinking and retaining knowledge, I don't think we have too much to worry about. I agree with Vanessa, many people who want to learn a language will not be satisfied with a program to stand in for them - anymore than they would be with carrying a human translator around all the time. However, for those who are primarily wanting to communicate short-term in a language (business trip. vacation) these technological advances provide an excellent tool.
ReplyDeleteOops, I forgot to respond to this posting. After watching the videos, it amazes me how far technology has come...I stil remember pre-cell phone era. The second video with the phone that can translate food items is just too cool and would be helpful for language learners as well as business travelers and vacationers. I don't think technology will ever replace the need for a educator 100%, because one still needs face to face natural interaction, however,it is an efficient tool in language learning . I am fascinated to see where language learning technology will be a 10 years from now, heck, even a year from now.
ReplyDeleteThis technology looks really cool. I’ve never used a voice translation devise before, but now I’m so curious to experiment with one. I wonder how much actually helps learning the target language if you use it by yourself at home, kind of like the toy. Yet people will probably end up having to use lot physical gestures to make up for the misunderstandings.
ReplyDelete