Hypothetical Question: What Would Happen to Human Society if a Universal Translator was Invented?

[Winter]

Among the many sci-fi inventions created over the centuries one of the most mundane has been the Universal Translator. This is a device where it does exactly what it says on the tin, it translates every language into something we can understand be it spoken or written we see and hear in something we can understand.

This is done solely to get around alien languages so writers don't need to create an entire language that based on how this race speaks. This way everyone speaks the same language and the audience can follow along more easily. As shown in Discovery having scenes in Klingon gets really annoying REALLY quickly but in the real world there is an argument to be had about the use of such a device really existing and what impact it would have on Human Society around the world.

Let's take a look at the classic argument in Anime, Sub vs. Dub.

This is the single longest argument in the Anime fandom and many MANY have been arguing over which is better, the original Japanese with Subtitles or the American Dub.

As someone with Dyslexia I lean towards the American Dub as I want to focus on the animation and scene in question instead of focusing my attention to the bottom part of the screen to understand what is being said.

But this isn't always an option as some animes just haven't had a dub done and may never get one. There's also the issue that sometimes dubs are just crap with wooden performances or just plain bad acting with most Subs having clearly better acting.

But there are dubs that are amazing, even blowing out some of the original performances and it's fun to contrast and compare the two.

But let's instead focus on this point from a different perspective.

Anime is HUGE in the States and the UK and a big factor of that is how many animes have been translated into English so we can understand what is being said and therefore can follow the story. Even if the translation is questionable, bad or even just plain odd anime has benefited from being translated into other series.

I'm in Love with the Villainess explored in popularity when the Light Novel series got an unofficial English Translation. The LN at the time was seen in Japan as just okay but in the States became a surprise hit when people read the series which lead to the series getting a Manga and Anime which had got a English translation that was being made at the same time as the Japanese dub so American fans wouldn't have to wait to see the series.

Now imagine that anyone could understand any Language around the world. No need to wait for someone to translate this series you can just go and read/watch it whenever you liked.

The Language barrier is something that keeps people around the world from truly understanding each other and keeps us separate from one another. And learning a new language, let alone EVERY Language is hard and can take years for some people.

Today we have a translate feature on several sites for comments. I've been able to hold an entire argument with a fan of Dragon Ball Z if Vegeta was truly redeemed or not and that person was Russia. She made an interesting point on how Vegeta should be forgiven and why she thought that was the case while I argued that while I liked that Vegeta was redeemed it was still pretty rushed and clunky.

But the fact that I was able to have this argument at all was interesting and got me thinking how in this instant I knew what she was saying and got the idea and how the system understood both languages enough to cross that barrier.

How much our world change if we could just speak to each other and just understand each other?

[Riedquat]

The Language barrier is something that keeps people around the world from truly understanding each other and keeps us separate from one another. And learning a new language, let alone EVERY Language is hard and can take years for some people.

You say that like it's a bad thing. Personally I'm all for variety and I hate the dreary homogenisation direction we're heading in.You could argue that a universal translator would have the opposite effect by removing any need to learn other languages; I have my doubts.

[clearspira]

We're actually not all that far off it now. Modern smartphones come with AI translation software that can interpret in real time. Interactive glasses and an earpiece that will allow you to read what you like and hear what you like is only a few years away if that.

[BridgeConsoleMasher]

I was thinking about that as well so wasn't quite ready to answer the question.

As far as industry is concerned we will haven't gotten to that homestead device that everyone will pop into their ear at work or abroad to take for granted. That step can usually bring about some modernized changes for better or worse.

I don't think it will be incredibly impactful for everybody everywhere but will have a boost on travel in an expanded market. Tourists will visit more areas and economic flux will brighten a lot of specific small town veins.

[McAvoy]

I think on one hand it would unite humanity. Assuming the device is perfect, then we can understand each other through slang, sarcasm and thinly veiled insults. So we know what the other person is saying. Good or bad.

I suppose there would be no need to learn a second language. Also there would be rules of when to play them with toddlers or kids. I mean, if a universal translator was invented with all of the benefits we have seen in Trek, you could argue that actually language even native language to that person could be limited.

Like I could just say some random things and would the universal translator be able to pick up on what I am trying to convey? Or does there require an actual language?

Think about the differences between English or Spanish. Basic level. But then add everything else. Puerto Rican vs. Mexican vs. Chilean. And so forth.

[hammerofglass]

You immediately run into the Darmok problem. Just because I know what the words mean doesn't mean I know wtf you're talking about.

If you want to simulate it go watch a Thai action movie with subtitles. Or most anything Bollywood. Sure the words are there, but the storytelling conventions and language of film are very different.

You gave the initial example of anime, but a big part of why Anime is so popular in the Anglosphere is how cleanly it translates.

[stryke]

You gave the initial example of anime, but a big part of why Anime is so popular in the Anglosphere is how cleanly it translates.

Even then there's been plenty of times where the translation is not so clean and people rage about how the original meaning has been lost. You also have really funny cases like 'nakama' where a word with a clear parallel is given significantly more imbued meaning because the closest equivalent in 'comrade' sounds commie.

[CharlesPhipps]

A lot more bitching on the internet.

[clearspira]

You immediately run into the Darmok problem. Just because I know what the words mean doesn't mean I know wtf you're talking about.

If you want to simulate it go watch a Thai action movie with subtitles. Or most anything Bollywood. Sure the words are there, but the storytelling conventions and language of film are very different.

You gave the initial example of anime, but a big part of why Anime is so popular in the Anglosphere is how cleanly it translates.

The Darmok problem is huge and affects even the tiniest things.

Biscuits and gravy in America is not what biscuits and gravy are in the UK for example. Your biscuit is something we would call a scone (typically eaten with afternoon tea with jam) whereas our biscuit is what you would call a cookie. We also have cookies - but they are different to biscuits. Our gravy is brown and poured on a Sunday roast.

Then there are chips - which you would call fries. We also have fries but they are a different thing to chips. Your chips are our crisps.

The point is, if language is so varied when it comes to meal options separated by one stretch of ocean and a common root tongue, imagine how hard it would be when it comes to something important when separated by half the planet. Or half the galaxy for that matter.

[hammerofglass]

I didn't know about the biscuit-ish scones. I've only had the pastry kind.