"There's good cultural reasons to learn languages the UK is part of a global and interconnected world and there's a need to reach out to other people in ways that translation tools can't manage. I think young people and employers can see that being able to speak, even only a few words, and have a conversation in someone else's language shows respect and makes those connections in a unique way."
"Lynas said he was surprised by his company's data showing that not only were UK users more likely to be learning multiple languages than those in other countries, but that those aged under 22 were the most prolific users. It's not what you'd expect. We know there is a problem with formal education and people selecting to study languages, but what it suggests to me is that it's not because young people aren't interested or don't want to learn them, Lynas said."
Universities are cutting dozens of foreign-language degree courses and entire departments, citing weak student demand. Translation apps and AI cannot replace years of study or the cultural insight gained by learning a language from the inside. App usage data show UK users, especially those under 22, spend more time learning languages and often study multiple languages. Speaking even a few words in another language fosters respect and unique cross-cultural connections that translation tools cannot replicate. Concern about degree-level language popularity prompted sponsorship of a Higher Education Policy Institute report on a universities languages crisis; Nottingham University has announced it may axe language degrees.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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