There is something almost miraculous about holding up a phone in a Lisbon café so it can say your order in Portuguese. Instant translation has made the world feel smaller and more navigable than ever before. But a new Preply survey suggests that by shrinking the distance between languages, the technology may be widening the gap between people and cultures.
Preply asked over 1,200 Americans about their experiences using instant translation apps while abroad, and the most common complaints had nothing to do with translation accuracy. They were all about connection. Nearly half the respondents said the apps made interactions feel less personal. Over two in five were troubled by the loss of eye contact from staring at their app. Subtle, wordless signals conveyed through eye contact tell another person you’re actively listening and may even hint at how you’re feeling. 57% of respondents described the experience as robotic and unnatural, and one in five even labeled app use as somewhat rude.
These findings point to a problem translation apps struggle to solve. Since conversations are more than an exchange of information, tone, gesture, and goodwill get lost in translation when a machine does the job. 52% of respondents were frustrated that apps don’t capture cultural tone or nuance. Perhaps it shouldn’t be surprising that placing a screen between two people stifles true communication.
This is likely why so many travelers still reach for the oldest tool available: education and their own efforts. Three in five respondents learned some of the local language before setting off on their trip. Among those who took a class, 73% said they were motivated by a wish to be respectful and polite. Notice that the driver behind their decision wasn’t efficiency, but courtesy, a truly human sentiment. Travelers understand that making an effort in someone else’s language is a gesture of respect and positive regard.
The survey doesn’t suggest travelers want to abandon technology entirely. Two-fifths of travelers expect they’ll rely on translation tools even more on their next trip.
