Beyond Words: Will AI Replace Human Language Learning? | Min Shen | TEDxUniversiti Brunei Darussalam — Transcript

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1. 0:00Transcriber: Shannon Hendrick Reviewer: Maxime Sobrier
2. 0:10(Applause)
3. 0:14Hello, everyone. How are you today?
4. 0:17Today we find ourselves at a very unique crossroad
5. 0:23where the time honored tradition of language learning intersects
6. 0:29with the rapid rise of artificial intelligence.
7. 0:32Typically, the younger generations, you have to navigate two worlds
8. 0:39attending language classes on one hand where on the other,
9. 0:43applying AI power tools to fine tune your assignments.
10. 0:48We are ushering into an epoch
11. 0:51where machines not only translate language swiftly
12. 0:55they can now craft articles, engage in meaningful conversations,
13. 1:01and they even learn language grammar rules on their own.
14. 1:06These rapid growth prompts a pressing question:
15. 1:11Will AI one day replace the need for us to learn languages
16. 1:17if AI eventually masters natural language processing, as it likely will?
17. 1:23Why should we still invest the time and energy learning languages ourselves?
18. 1:30There are countless reasons, but today here,
19. 1:37as we explore the theme of Futuring together,
20. 1:42I would like to examine this question
21. 1:46in the context of global communication.
22. 1:52Global communication
23. 1:55a space characterized by vast differences and complexity
24. 2:01in languages, cultures, prespectives and more
25. 2:07in such an intricate and diverse space.
26. 2:11If we are to achieve the goal of revitalizing global partnership
27. 2:17for sustainable development,
28. 2:19effective communication cross cultural boundaries is crucial.
29. 2:25However, mastering communication requires more than
30. 2:32linguistic capabilities.
31. 2:35Well, AI can translate or machine can translate languages swiftly, in a blink.
32. 2:42Perhaps even more accurately than many of us.
33. 2:47It cannot act as a gateway to truly understanding mindset of others,
34. 2:55to genuinely connect with people.
35. 2:58Learning their languages remains the master key.
36. 3:03To illustrate this,
37. 3:06let’s take a quick detour into a little linguistic exercise.
38. 3:12Yes, I love you. “I love you” is often one of
39. 3:17the first phrases people get to learn when studying a new language.
40. 3:23Any of you here speak Chinese? Can you tell me how to say
41. 3:26“I love you” in Chinese? (Wo ai ni)
42. 3:29Perfect. I love you too. Yes, it is ‘wo ai ni’.
43. 3:35But here is the important part.
44. 3:39When and to whom we use this phrase.
45. 3:43Do you know that in the Chinese language,
46. 3:46saying something like “ài guó”, love the country
47. 3:51or “ài jiā’, love the family sounds perfectly appropriate.
48. 3:57However, you wouldn’t say
49. 4:02love I for something like Nasikato or even Ted X
50. 4:09as casual as you may see in English.
51. 4:12This is because
52. 4:14“I love”, isn’t expressed lightly in Chinese culture.
53. 4:21It conveys more than emotion
54. 4:24but more about commitment, selflessness,
55. 4:30and a deep sense of responsibility driven by moral and cultural values.
56. 4:37What I’m showing you here is that learning the careful use of a language
57. 4:44unlocks profound insight into the mindset of its speakers.
58. 4:51As the saying goes, “Bahasa Menunjukkan Bangsa”.
59. 4:56Language reflects the soul of people.
60. 5:00Learning a new language is like deciphering a set of complex code.
61. 5:06It’s not only about converting words,
62. 5:09but unveiling the deep cultural meanings embedded in them.
63. 5:16This understanding enables us to transcend cultural boundaries,
64. 5:23fostering authentic and effective intercultural communication,
65. 5:30which is something AI simply cannot achieve.
66. 5:34The second reason why human language learning is essential
67. 5:40lies in our natural abilities. As AI can process languages powerfully,
68. 5:47It struggles to interpret subtle social cues,
69. 5:53adapting to changing situations
70. 5:57and understanding unspoken cultural nuances.
71. 6:01This is where humans excel,
72. 6:05as much of our communication effectiveness relies
73. 6:10on implicit knowledge. those unconscious skills that we develop through
74. 6:17experience and practice. Typically with learning a new language.
75. 6:24Um, in contrast, AI struggles with tasks like this.
76. 6:31Even today's most advanced AI still requires big amounts
77. 6:38of data and complex algorithms
78. 6:42to simply perform something like distinguishing between
79. 6:46a cat and a dog.
80. 6:49So now let's test
81. 6:53how well your intuition can work in real time
82. 6:59communication. We will do a quick exercise to help you understand how you
83. 7:05can adjust to different contexts.
84. 7:09“Hǎo” is a word in the Chinese language that means.
85. 7:13“Okay”. Slightly variation in its tone and sounds can change its meaning,
86. 7:21such as “Hǎo de” and “Hǎo a”. Let’s see if you can figure it out.
87. 7:30Look at these two scenarios: a business deal and a birthday party.
88. 7:36Which “okay”, fits each situation. “Hǎo de” or “Hǎo a”?
89. 7:41take a moment to decide.
90. 7:47Three. Two. One. All right. Here is the correct answer.
91. 7:55“Hǎo de” sounds polite and formal.
92. 8:01A professional “Okay”.
93. 8:02It’s often used for business deals (Coughs).
94. 8:06Sorry. “Hǎo a ” is more enthusiastic?
95. 8:11Often as a response to a birthday party invitation.
96. 8:16Now, may I see how many of you got it right? Perfect. Brilliant.
97. 8:22You are truly talented language learners.
98. 8:29But the question is, how did you get to know which “okay” to choose?
99. 8:38That's your intuition at work, isn't it?
100. 8:41You subconsciously analyze the situations, the environment,
101. 8:48the setting, the facial expressions,
102. 8:52the gestures, together with my tone
103. 8:54and many other subtle factors without realizing it.
104. 9:03Now let's move on to another,
105. 9:05even more important reason why we should learn different languages.
106. 9:12It goes beyond connecting others.
107. 9:15It's more about gaining a deep understanding into ourselves.
108. 9:22Learning a new language offers more than communication skills.
109. 9:28It also provides a way to reflect on our own language and culture.
110. 9:36Think about this for a moment.
111. 9:40How does your cultural background shape the way you see the world?
112. 9:46How does it influence your communication style?
113. 9:51If we are to see through the cultural lens in order to have
114. 9:56a good grasp of reality, do you really understand your own culture lens?
115. 10:08Learning language can act as the mirror as we constantly compare,
116. 10:15contrast, interpret and understand. In the process. It provides us
117. 10:21a chance to look into our own culture, assumptions, values, traditions, beliefs.
118. 10:29This introspection process is prominent in today's world of
119. 10:36increasing global convergence,
120. 10:38where unique cultural identities may blur or fade.
121. 10:46As we move together, please don’t lose the sight of the beauty
122. 10:52and depth of human connections.
123. 10:56Learning a language provides a solid foundation for global partnership.
124. 11:03It is really up to us to ensure that language learning,
125. 11:09especially human language learning,
126. 11:11is not lost in the age of artificial intelligence. Thank you everyone.
127. 11:17Thank you very much.
128. 11:19(Applause)