Word-for-Word Translation: Why Translation Makes Learning a New Language Tough

Learning a language is a gratifying experience. The simple pleasure of understanding words you had never been exposed to before is the ultimate test of human intelligence. However, the approach you take toward learning a language can shape your experience drastically.

While many people swear by the translation approach to language learning, experts are wary of the ‘results.’ Here are some reasons why translations just don’t work when learning a new language.

Lost In Translation

The phrase ‘lost in translation’ has been around for a long time, and basically means losing the essence of a language when it is translated; you are stripping it of its essence when you do so.

Many languages have phrases, words, and metaphors that are exclusive to their region and make no sense under direct translation. This may cause confusion. While removing these phrases is a convenient solution, it contorts the language and its vocabulary, making it very unimaginative.

A Lack of Cultural Appreciation

When you learn from a translation bot, the information you get will be straightforward. You will not get cultural context or social norms instilled within the translation, which can make for some awkward conversations.

For instance, in many countries, it is customary to say no when offered food once. However, the host tends to offer again, at which point it is accepted by the guest. While in other parts of the world, refusing food is seen as an insult. It doesn’t matter how polite your words were; the action is seen as offensive. These customs are learned through speaking and learning with native speakers, and not through an online translator!

Context & Confusion

The last thing you want to do when speaking in a foreign language is to embarrass yourself or cause offense. And there have been multiple instances of this happening due to haphazard translations!

Former US President Donald Trump caused quite a frenzy in Germany in 2017 by calling the Germans ‘bad, very bad’, which left them wondering whether he meant “böse,” which means evil or “schlecht” meaning wrong. It shows how translation without context can be extremely fickle and can leave the biggest of politicians in vulnerable positions!

If you would like to learn the Hebrew language from experts, get in touch with us at Ulpan Or. We provide Hebrew language learning from Israeli teacher, giving you the best and most culturally sound learning experience. Contact us today for more information on Online Hebrew learning!