Spending time to get proficient in a non-native language is considered a waste of time these days as computers and smartphones can now translate different languages quickly and precisely. I agree with this sentiment because it can let people spend more time on learning essential skills and it doesn’t require everyone to be tech-savvy.
People get more time to master more useful skills when they are not obligated to learn a foreign language. Learning a new language is a time-consuming process and it can eat away the time people could otherwise spend on more employable skills. Having more time to upskill technically instead of dedicating a chunk of their time to learn a new language could make people professionally more competent. For example, a lot of students studying abroad rue that they don’t spend enough time on their project work as a sizeable portion of their time is spent on learning the native language.
Not everybody requires the technological prowess to make use of the translation feature effectively. A common complaint against this approach is that we cannot expect everyone to be aware of these new technological developments. But the counter-argument is that it does not really matter. The latest translation apps are so sophisticated that it is sufficient for only one person to have the required knowledge. For instance, a friend of mine told me how a translation app made her trip to Malaysia a lot smoother. The app lets both the speakers speak into it and translates to the appropriate language based on who is speaking.
To conclude, the ability of modern technology to translate unknown languages instantly and accurately has ensured that getting familiarised with a new language is a waste of time. I agree with this idea because it lets people dedicate more time towards developing more important skills and doesn’t obligate everyone to be aware of the emerging technologies.