Why learning languages in 2024 is just NOT worth it

Summary

In this candid video, a YouTuber with a million followers, known for promoting language learning, shares his doubts about its worth. He recounts a story of a friend who, despite using translation technology, faced rejection in a foreign cafe, questioning the effort's payoff. The speaker acknowledges the pain and embarrassment of language learning but also recognizes the availability of resources and support. Ending on an ambiguous note, he leaves it to viewers to decide if the 'enthusiastic Steve' or the 'skeptical Steve' is real, hinting at the April Fool's Day context.

Takeaways

• 😔 The speaker expresses doubt about the value of learning languages, questioning if the effort is worth the potential rejection or failure.
• 📈 Despite having a large following and promoting language learning, the speaker admits to moments of doubt about whether it's truly worthwhile.
• 🌍 A story is shared about a friend trying to use a translation app to flirt in a foreign language, which ends in rejection, highlighting the challenges of language learning.
• 📱 The use of technology, like iPhones, to translate and communicate in foreign languages is mentioned, but its effectiveness is questioned due to the negative outcome in the story.
• 📚 The speaker acknowledges the hard work involved in language learning, such as drills, quizzes, and public speaking, which can be daunting and discouraging.
• 😅 The potential for embarrassment in language learning is discussed, as reading in front of others can lead to either jealousy or ridicule.
• 📚 The tedious nature of language learning, such as reviewing flashcards, is highlighted, emphasizing the repetitive and often frustrating process.
• 🌐 The speaker contrasts the availability of interesting content and online support for language learning with the personal doubts they are experiencing.
• 🤔 The speaker questions the realism of the positive messages they usually promote about language learning, reflecting on whether these are truly attainable or just idealistic.
• 🦋 The parable of Zhuangzi is used to illustrate the speaker's internal conflict about whether their doubts or their enthusiasm for language learning is the true reflection of their beliefs.
• 🗓️ The speaker leaves the audience with the realization that their doubts are expressed on April 1st, suggesting that there might be an element of humor or irony in their message.

Q & A

What is the speaker's primary platform for discussing language learning?

The speaker primarily uses YouTube, where he has over a million followers, to talk about the joys of language learning.

Does the speaker consistently believe that learning languages is worthwhile?

The speaker admits to having doubts about the worth of learning languages, suggesting that there are moments when he questions if it is really worthwhile.

What story does the speaker recount to illustrate his doubts about language learning?

The speaker recounts a story about a friend who tried to use a translation app to flirt with a girl in a foreign language, but ended up being rejected despite his efforts.

What was the outcome of the friend's attempt to use a translation app to communicate with a girl in a cafe?

The friend's attempt resulted in the girl becoming upset, moving to another part of the cafe, and calling over the waiter, indicating that the translation did not help him make a connection.

What does the speaker suggest about the effort required in language learning?

The speaker suggests that language learning requires hard work, including drills, quizzes, and exposure to difficult language structures, which can be quite painful.

What challenges does the speaker mention regarding reading in a language class?

The speaker mentions that if you read well, people may become jealous, and if you read poorly, they may laugh at you or find it annoying to listen to.

What is the speaker's view on the effectiveness of using flashcards for language learning?

The speaker views flashcards as a necessary but frustrating part of language learning, as they often lead to forgetting and require constant review.

Why does the speaker question the value of learning a language to the point of being rejected?

The speaker questions the value because even after putting in significant effort to learn a language, one might still face rejection or be responded to in English, undermining the motivation to learn.

What opposing view does the speaker mention about language learning being fun?

The speaker mentions that some people believe that learning can be fun, as the brain is designed to adapt to new languages, and with enough exposure, one will gradually improve.

What resources does the speaker acknowledge as being available for language learners today?

The speaker acknowledges the abundance of interesting content in various languages and the support of many people online in the early stages of language learning.

What philosophical parable does the speaker reference in his book about language learning?

The speaker references the parable of the butterfly by Zhuangzi, a Chinese Taoist philosopher, to illustrate the uncertainty of whether his doubts about language learning are genuine or imagined.

What is the significance of the date mentioned by the speaker at the end of the script?

The speaker mentions the date, April 1st, hinting that his darker thoughts about language learning might be an April Fool's joke, leaving it to the audience to decide which 'Steve' is real.

Outlines

00:00

😔 Doubts on Language Learning's Worth

The speaker begins by expressing doubts about the value of learning languages, questioning whether the effort is worth the potential for rejection or failure. They recount a personal anecdote where a friend, despite using technology to translate a compliment, was still met with unfriendliness in a foreign language environment. This leads to a broader contemplation of the difficulty and pain associated with language learning, including the challenges of drills, quizzes, and public speaking in a new language. The speaker also touches on the common experience of being met with English responses even after learning a new language, further questioning the motivation to learn.

Keywords

💡Language Learning

Language learning refers to the process of acquiring new languages beyond one's native tongue. It is central to the video's theme, as the speaker explores the value and challenges of learning languages. The script mentions the joys and doubts associated with learning languages, reflecting on the effort and potential rejection one might face.

💡Doubts

Doubts in this context are the uncertainties or hesitations the speaker experiences regarding the value of learning languages. The video script illustrates this with the speaker's own moments of doubt, questioning whether the effort put into language learning is worthwhile.

💡Pickup Line

A pickup line is a phrase or conversation opener used to initiate interaction with the intent of attracting romantic interest. In the script, the speaker recounts a story where a man uses a pickup line in a foreign language, which leads to misunderstanding and rejection, highlighting the complexities of language and social interaction.

💡Rejection

Rejection is the act of refusing or dismissing someone's advances or efforts. The video discusses the potential for rejection in language learning, both in the context of the pickup line story and the broader idea that despite learning a language, one might still face rejection or indifference from native speakers.

💡Drills

Drills in language learning are repetitive exercises designed to practice and reinforce specific language structures or vocabulary. The script mentions drills as part of the painful process of language acquisition, suggesting that they are necessary but not always enjoyable.

💡Quizzes

Quizzes are tests or examinations, often used in an educational context to assess knowledge or skills. In the video, quizzes are presented as a tool for language learning that can be challenging, as they test learners on aspects of the language they may not yet be comfortable with.

💡Subjunctive

The subjunctive is a grammatical mood used to express various states of unreality, such as doubt, possibility, necessity, or action that has not yet occurred. The script uses the subjunctive in French as an example of a complex language structure that language learners must grapple with.

💡Flashcards

Flashcards are a study tool consisting of a set of cards, each containing a question or a term on one side and its corresponding answer or definition on the other. The script mentions flashcards as a common method for memorizing vocabulary, also noting the frustration of forgetting what has been learned.

💡Pain

Pain, in the context of the video, symbolizes the difficulties and struggles one may encounter while learning a language. The speaker describes the process as 'quite painful,' emphasizing the hard work and challenges inherent in language acquisition.

💡Parable of the Butterfly

The Parable of the Butterfly is a philosophical allegory from Zhuangzi, a Chinese Taoist philosopher, which questions the nature of reality and perception. The speaker uses this parable to reflect on his own doubts and to playfully suggest that his enthusiasm for language learning might be the illusion, leaving the audience to ponder which perspective is genuine.

💡April Fool's Day

April Fool's Day, celebrated on the 1st of April, is a day traditionally associated with playing practical jokes and spreading hoaxes. The speaker ends the video by hinting that his skepticism about language learning might be an April Fool's joke, adding a layer of ambiguity to his message.

Highlights

The speaker questions the worthiness and enjoyment of learning languages, despite being a popular YouTuber who promotes language learning.

A story is shared about an attempt to use language translation technology to flirt, which ended in rejection, raising doubts about the purpose of language learning.

The speaker acknowledges the hard work and pain involved in language learning, such as drills, quizzes, and public speaking.

Despite the effort, there is no guarantee of acceptance or positive outcomes when using a learned language, as illustrated by the story of someone being replied to in English after learning another language.

The speaker mentions the common saying 'no pain, no gain' and applies it to the language learning process.

The frustration of forgetting learned material, such as flashcards, is highlighted as part of the language learning struggle.

The speaker contrasts the idea that learning can be fun and the brain's natural ability to adapt with the harsh reality of the language learning process.

The abundance of interesting content and online support for language learning in any language is noted as a positive aspect of the current era.

The speaker expresses skepticism about the realistic nature of the optimistic messages about language learning that they themselves have promoted.

A darker, more cynical perspective on language learning is presented, suggesting that it may not be worth the effort.

The speaker uses the parable of the butterfly by Zhuangzi to illustrate the uncertainty of their own stance on language learning.

The speaker leaves the audience with the question of whether their enthusiasm for language learning is genuine or an act.

The significance of the date, April 1st, is hinted at, suggesting that the speaker's doubts may be part of an April Fool's Day prank.

The transcript ends with an open question for the audience to decide the authenticity of the speaker's true feelings about language learning.

Transcripts

No, it isn't worth it.

You're probably not going to succeed.

So don't even bother trying.

So I'm this guy who has over a million followers here at YouTube.

And I talk about the joys of language learning and how we can

all learn and all this stuff.

But I have to confess that there are moments when I have my doubts.

Is it really worthwhile learning languages?

Can it be fun?

And I'm reminded of a story told to me by a friend of mine who was traveling.

He was in a, I can't remember whether it was Paris or Tokyo or Istanbul or

Buenos Aires, but some city where they spoke a language other than English.

And so he was, uh, at this cafe, he had his, uh, you know, he's going to

review his social media or whatever.

And he sits beside this attractive, uh, you know, girl and he starts staring

at her and then he kind of says to her in English, she says, you have a

lovely smile, which he thought was a really good sort of, uh, pickup line.

And she looks at him in a very unfriendly way and mutters

something in the local language.

So undeterred, he sort of whips out his iPhone.

And he speaks into his iPhone in English, and the iPhone then

speaks in the local language.

Also saying, you have a lovely smile.

At that point, the girl calls the waiter over and she's pointing

in at the, at him and, and, you know, uh, obviously very unhappy.

And she has moved to another part of the cafe.

So the moral of the story is to me, like, why bother?

Why bother learning a language?

You know, he went to the trouble of, you know, using his iPhone to generate

his pickup line there in, in the local language, and he was still rejected.

So yeah, I question therefore, why bother?

Because learning a language, you know, has to be hard work.

There is an expression, no pain, no gain.

And that's certainly true in language learning.

If you don't subject yourself to drills, to quizzes on things that you have

hardly had a chance to get used to in the language, like the subjunctive

in French or something, if you don't go to You know, you go to a class

and sit there and, uh, maybe you have to read in front of other people.

And if you read well, then people are jealous and don't like you.

And if you read badly, they are, they laugh at you or they, it's

annoying to have to listen to you.

So it's just not a good situation, but you have to do that.

You got to review, you know, stacks and stacks of flashcards.

And of course you keep forgetting them.

And, and it's just a lot of pain.

The whole process is quite painful, you know, and at the end of all this

effort, it's Are we going to just be rejected the way my friend was rejected?

I even hear of people who learn a language and go to the country where the language

is spoken and they trot out whatever they're able to do in the language

and the people reply in English after all that effort to learn the language,

like, why should I even bother if you're not going to humor me when I try to

use the language that I'm learning?

Uh, now there are people who say the opposite.

There are people who say that in fact, learning can be fun, that, uh, the

brain will get used to the language.

The brain is designed to do that.

Eventually with enough exposure, we're going to be able to start using, even with

some difficulty, as long as we are not afraid that gradually we will improve.

You know, I often mentioned the fact that never has there been so

much interesting content available to us in just about any language.

And never have there been so many people online helping us in the early stages

of our learning of any given language.

So the conditions have never been better.

I hear this message and I personally have delivered this message

here, uh, to encourage people.

But is that realistic?

So today I'm having one of my darker moments and I'm

saying, no, it isn't worth it.

You're probably not going to succeed, so don't even bother trying.

A lot of people pay lip service to the idea that they want

to learn another language.

My advice is don't bother.

In the book that I wrote in 2003 about language learning, I mentioned the parable

of the butterfly by Zhuangzi, Chinese Taoist philosopher of 2, 500 years ago,

where he imagined himself a butterfly, and then when he awoke and he realized that

he wasn't a butterfly, he was Zhuangzi, and then he Then he says, I don't know

now whether, in fact, I'm a butterfly that now thinks he's Zhuangzi or was I a

Zhuangzi who imagined himself a butterfly.

So using the parable of Zhuangzi and having exposed to you some of my dark

thoughts about language learning, uh, I'm not sure now whether the Steve that

questions the usefulness of language learning is the real Steve, Or whether

I was just pretending to be that.

And in fact, the Steve, the enthusiastic Steve is the real Steve.

I leave it up to you to figure that out, but do try to bear in mind the

fact that it is the 1st of April.