What if translators became the new calculators?

If you’ve learnt any foreign languages in a scholarly way, you have probably heard “don’t trust X translator, it is not effective”. The truth is, it can be effective if you know how to use it. In fact, one can achieve a lot- when the nuances and subtleties of the target language are highlighted and kept in mind.

Instead of telling learners the tools are not effective (their usefulness goes without much debate), how about we arouse their awareness to the nuances involved with translating to another language?

What if translators became the new calculators?

Indeed, calculators are primordial for some aspects of mathematics and other subjects. In a similar way, there are some levels or language learning where this same thought-process could be applied. Translation tools aren’t just for those learning to become translators- but are rather tools that if used and presented correctly might propel language learning and teaching. 

Of course, the aim is not to replace independent though, critical thinking or written production, but rather to provide support and integrate a modern supplement into our 21st century language teaching approaches. Translation Aided Writing (TAW) and Non-Translation Aided Writing (NTAW).

With the proliferation of translation and language services worldwide, influenced by the burgeoning in global businesses thrust toward internationalisation why aren’t more language learners being trained on how to become deft at translation? 

Alongside the development of more sophisticated AI and translating software, will there be much emphasis on the teaching or writing ( at some levels) as a MAJOR component of language learning?

Indeed, with the ease of access to acquire and use these translation tools we now have, there is no doubt that more and more language learners and especially businesses are turning to language tools to help bolster their language skills or marketing strategy respectively.

In a poll I recently posted about translation tools as part of professional / education pursuits, most of the respondents said they often or sometimes used tools to aid in translating their message.

If we look at data from Statista, we also see that the global translation market value increased from 46.9 US Billion in 2019 to 56.18 US Billion in 2021. This can be associated with the need for more companies wanting their brands to transcend linguist barriers.

Undoubtedly, while the usage is not always effective or may even be deemed counterproductive to language learning itself-what if we encouraged AND show learners to use the tools effectively?

For in the end, how many users of foreign languages do you think spend their days translating everything from scratch when writing (in the confides of their own space, under no exam or supervised conditions)?