One Device, One Language

Universal, instant translator... the ultimate language pal that could give you access to every foreign language with extreme accuracy and fluency, let's call it Language X, which is the name that will be adopted throughout the article.

p.s. That's the name I would have chosen for this site, inspired by Space X, LOL.

The description above is exaggerated, of course. However, this tech has long been created and have been improving and upgrading just like Google Translate. Sooner or later, it will become close to perfect, or actually, it just needs to be "good enough".

Everyone is learning a second language. In fact, knowing two might not even impressive. It's just mandatory. As a language teaching group, this tool raises some intriguing questions. Here's what we think.

Language X has the potential of helping billions of people connect with one another since one of its goals is to break the language barrier. The user could finally speak freely, not being afraid of mistakes from word choices or grammar because he/she just needs to know their native language. It could allow the speakers to speak with confidence and make friends with everyone in the world, or at least most of them.

That being said, and really, that's all the advantages we could think of... learning a language is far more than just learning the words and how to speak. We're also learning the culture in the languages, different perspectives, and experiencing it. Having an all-powerful device actually deprives us of the essence of language.

Second, this may be a stretch but we believe that a gadget like LX does the opposite of helping people go out to the world. With it, you could go further and explore since language wouldn't be a problem but you couldn't go "into" the places. Here's why. Scientists have shown us that a bilingual brain makes a healthier brain, meaning that the brain works better. One who understands more than one language tends to be more open-minded, more caring and less stubborn. In other words, one who only knows one language could be the opposite of what's mentioned above. Here's to address to cases such as those who refuse to learn a second language, not that if you speak only one, you're selfish.

Last and the most paranoid... what if LX is also used as a tracking device! We are on the verge of another revolutionary era for technology. Everyone is practically tracked down in location thanks to GPS and one or multiple phones we carry. With a tool that is specifically good in languages, could it also be the ultimate censorship for all!? Just kidding. Our phones could already do that. There's no need to make another with fewer features.

The practicality of LX on humans doesn't seem necessary. However, we believe that its potential lies in AI robotics. Imagine the future when robots walk among us and speak every language we speak with their mechanic accents that would sound funny on humans but not them. Yes, we're moving one more step closer to I-Robot.

We don't want to mean that an universal translator isn't necessary though. We simply think that it takes more than it gives for language learners.

#selfreflect