Technological advancement rules out the need to learn foreign languages.

We are building intelligent computers capable of translating everything from one language to other.

Does this rule out the need to learn any foreign languages by children?

Introduction

In the day and age of Google translate, and smartphones that come inbuilt with translation tools, it might seem like a silly idea to learn a foreign language. Why waste time, money, and energy, when whatever you want is literally available at your fingertips?

Technology cannot replace language

There are several problems in using a translation tool. For one, the smartphone might run out of battery, leaving the user at a loss. Apart from this, there are limitations when it comes to languages without a script.

Champions of translation software need to know that these tools are accurate only up to a certain point. The text can sometimes come in a garbled form. These tools are helpful only to an extent. It will come in handy when a person is vacationing in a foreign country, and needs to get around the place. However, if a person has shifted to a foreign country for higher studies or work, it will be imperative to learn the language. Translation tools will not help in completing an assignment in a language that a person is completely illiterate in, or to hand in a report at work, or converse with clients in the local language. In a professional environment, it makes a bad impression if you keep whipping out your phone and translating your words.

There are several benefits of learning a foreign language:

• It helps the growth of the brain-Learning a new language helps in the development of some parts of the brain.

• Helps in multi-tasking-Your multi-tasking skills improve when you learn more than one language.

• Exercises the mind-Offering challenges to your mind keep diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia at a distance. Very similar to playing games like Sudoku, or solving a crossword, learning a foreign language jogs your brain, thereby keeping it active.

• Enhances memory-As a result of the exercise, your memory power gets strengthened. It also makes learning other skills relatively easier.

• Better job prospects-Employers these days are favoring employees who are well-versed in a foreign language. With companies doing business with more and more foreign clients, knowing a foreign language is definitely an advantage.

• Improves the first language-Knowing a foreign language strengthens the hold on the first language.

Conclusion

Translation tools and software cannot replace language. If it were that simple, then no one would require communicating with each other. As mentioned earlier, technology has its limits, and we cannot depend on it at all times. There are far greater benefits for a person in learning a foreign language. Therefore, learning a language can never become obsolete, or go out of fashion.