Will learning a foreign language disappear soon? My parents only know our native language and now many videos on the internet have audio translations for them… Is tech changing everything?

Technology Forum
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It feels like learning a foreign language might go the way of learning Latin… It could become less useful as technology improves.

Some people say learning a language helps you understand cultures better, but what if we had devices that let us join any conversation anywhere and understand it instantly?

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Why do people even learn foreign languages anymore?

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Eli said:
Why do people even learn foreign languages anymore?

Good question! People learn them mainly for two reasons: personal interest or for work and career opportunities.

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Arden said:

Eli said:
Why do people even learn foreign languages anymore?

Good question! People learn them mainly for two reasons: personal interest or for work and career opportunities.

Wow… the person who posted this is probably an AI, right?

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Nope, learning languages will still be important.

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I doubt it.

Here’s an example: the military often runs scenarios where tech fails. They go back to basics like delivering orders on paper.

Now, imagine relying on real-time translators. Sure, it works for casual things or short visits, but in emergencies, or when tech breaks, knowing the language is essential.

It’s useful to have basic tech for quick translations, but if you’re moving to another country or building relationships, you need to learn the language.

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For tourism, tech like real-time translation is great. Point your phone at a menu and voilà—it’s in your language.

But if you’re planning to live in a different country, relying only on AI translators would be a bad idea.

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Learning a foreign language will always matter. Real-time translation can’t fully replace it. For example, Japanese sentences often save key details for the end. Real-time AI struggles to predict what the speaker will say until they finish. This delay could make conversations awkward or slow.

AI can help, but it won’t make learning languages unnecessary.

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@Zen
Wouldn’t a 2-3 second delay fix that?

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Arden said:
@Zen
Wouldn’t a 2-3 second delay fix that?

It’s not just about the delay—it’s about understanding context. AI can only translate once the speaker finishes a sentence, especially in languages like Japanese where meaning depends on the ending. Conversations could feel disconnected or robotic. Learning a language lets you connect naturally.

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We’re close to making real-time translation perfect, but it’ll still take a bit of tweaking to make it work seamlessly face-to-face.

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People might not need to learn languages in the future, but many will still want to. Curiosity and passion for learning won’t go away. AI will probably make learning easier and more accessible, too.

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Knowing a language is about more than words—it’s about culture, trust, and connection. AI translators are helpful, but they can’t replicate the bond that comes from speaking someone’s native language. Learning languages isn’t going away anytime soon.

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My ex used a translator to talk to my parents. It worked, but it wasn’t the same as actually speaking their language. There’s a lot you miss out on.

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Learn a second language for yourself—it’s like a workout for your brain!

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Learning languages takes a lot of patience. I rely on Google Translate to understand Spanish when helping my local community. It’s not perfect, but it gets the gist across. AI tools are a good backup, but I still admire those who fully learn a language.

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Honestly, I think English is just taking over. I’ve traveled to countries like Croatia and the Netherlands, and so many people there speak English fluently—often better than I do!

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Leighton said:
Honestly, I think English is just taking over. I’ve traveled to countries like Croatia and the Netherlands, and so many people there speak English fluently—often better than I do!

In smaller countries, English is already the language of better jobs and higher education. It’s slowly replacing native languages in some ways.

Still, it takes generations for a language to fade, and people hold onto their cultural roots.

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What if your tech fails? Like your phone dies or there’s no internet? Knowing another language without relying on tech is still super useful.