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A Small Study on Real-Time Language Translation and Its Contribution to Language Learning

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A Small Study on Real-Time Language Translation and Its Contribution to Language Learning A small study on real-time language translation and its contribution to language learning. SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULLFILLMENT FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE EVIE JANSSEN 10829318 MASTER INFORMATION STUDIES HUMAN-CENTERED MULTIMEDIA FACULTY OF SCIENCE UNIVERSITY OF AMSTERDAM July 3, 2015 1st Supervisor 2nd Supervisor Dr. Daniel Buzzo Dr. Jacobijn Sandberg UvA UvA A small study on real-time language translation and its contribution to language learning. Evie Janssen University of Amsterdam, Graduate School of Informatics Science Park 904, Amsterdam [email protected] ABSTRACT translators is exciting. However, we must not forget This paper explores the new real-time machine how important it is to actually learn a foreign translation technology and its effect on second language. Within a conversation, words take on language learning motivation. Based on a field different meanings based on the understanding of the experiment among 18 non-native Dutch persons, I language. Communication is based on consciousness conclude that the use of speech translation enhances as meaning is negotiated for achieving possible the motivation and self-confidence when understanding (Bakhtin, 1981; Klein, 1986). communicating in a second language. In addition, the Therefore, learning and understanding a foreign use of image translation has a positive influence on language is important to communicate properly and vocabulary learning. Overall, real-time machine connect with a new culture. In addition, learning a translation stimulates second language learners to second language has far more advantages such as maintain the executive motivation. creating job opportunities and even keeping your brain healthy (Mechelli et al., 2004). Keywords L2 learning, learning motivation, machine translation The quote from Nelson Mandela, stated at the beginning of this section, is poetry. However, I think we all know in our hearts that his statement is true. 1. INTRODUCTION Talking to someone in their own language is showing “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, them respect, and with respect comes understanding. I that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his find this an admonitory quote for the excessive use of language that goes to his heart” (Nelson Mandela). innovative technologies such as RMT. No technology can ever truly substitute the benefits of knowing Today, the digital age of internet and mobile second languages. However, I do believe that technologies are providing global mobility of technology can stimulate the motivation within the knowledge. Virtual learning environments have process of learning a second language. In this paper I diversified the way of learning by broadening the will explore this area of tension. possibilities of gaining knowledge. As are learning environments in language learning. Moreover, the There are many advantages for knowing other motivation of language learning is supported in new languages and there are many factors taking place in ways through mobile learning and translation the process of successful language acquisition applications. (Skehan, 1989; Saville-Troike, 2006). Among all these factors, motivation plays an important role in Learning has been re-assessed as a personalized and L2 learning (Gardner, 1985; Masgoret & Gardner, learner-centred activity (Leadbetter, 2005). According 2003; Dörnyei, 2005). to Sharples et al. (2005), “so too are new digital technologies offering personalised services.” At the From the experience and work of the linguist Steve beginning of 2015 Google and Skype both launched Kaufmann, contextual and personal learning what they believe to be the next level of machine environments are the stimulating factors for language language translation: real-time machine translation learning motivation. A learner has to discover the (RMT). By using phones' cameras or speech, words and the phrases that he or she is going to need languages can be translated immediately and allow (Kaufmann, 2013). The importance of contextual seamless chat between people. Barak Turovsky, learning environments, therefore, presents the interest product Lead of Google Translate, states in a blog for exploring the effect of RMT on language learning post the following: "today's updates take us one step motivation. closer to a world where language is no longer a barrier to discovering information or connecting with 1 1 Source: http://googleblog.blogspot.nl/2015/01/hallo-hola- each other. ” Altogether, the potential of real-time ola-more-powerful-translate.html The goal of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness Therefore, it is important to get emotionally engaged of RMT on the motivation of non-native Dutch users with the language and the context that we‟re learning to learn Dutch as a second language. What if we can from. In other words, learning from material that we use RMT in such a way that translated content can like and find interesting has resonance. become the bridge between discovering information and stimulating language learning? Section 2 presents New conceptions of learning are evolving because of the evidence from the literature and an interview the convergence of mobile and personal technologies. conducted with an expert in the field of linguistics. In Table 1 shows the similarities between new learning section 3 the main research question will be and new technology (Sharples, Taylor, Vavoula, introduced and the methods for answering this 2005). question will be described. This includes an experiment with the new RMT functions among non- New Learning New Technology native Dutch persons who (want to) learn Dutch. Personalized Personal Section 4 and 5 will present the results of my study Learner centred User centred and discuss the findings. I conclude by offering Situated Mobile suggestions for future work. Collaborative Networked Ubiquitous Ubiquitous 2. RELATED WORK Lifelong Durable Table 1 - Convergence between learning and technology 2.1 Second Language Learning A second language (L2) refers to a language an The study of McGroarty (2001) explains the role and individual learns that is not his/her mother tongue, but contribution of different social contexts in a language is of use in the area of the individual. The conditions learning activity to determination of effective for L2 learning are diversified and broadened through language instruction. However, this study focuses modern technology. For example, if there is no fully only on change in literacy and not on the effect that bilingual teacher available, students have alternatives communication in language and different contexts has such as Rosetta Stone, which provide courses for on learners‟ motivation. students to immerse themselves with the target language. In addition, mobile language learning 2.2 L2 Learning Motivation Duolingo claims to provide better learning for free There are many advantages for knowing other because their business model sells translation languages. However, many factors are taking place in services. To give an indication of the growth of the process of successful language acquisition mobile language learning in the past years, a study by (Skehan, 1989; Saville-Troike, 2006). Among all Vavoula (2005) of everyday adult learning for the these factors, maintaining the motivation to learn a MOBIlearn project, based on personal learning second language plays an important role (Gardner, diaries, found that almost half (49%) of the reported 1985; Masgoret & Gardner, 2003; Dörnyei, 2005). learning episodes took place away from home or the learner‟s own office, i.e. the learner‟s usual As part of early research, an extensive interview was environment. done with Dr. Federicon Gobbo, professor in Interlinguistics and Esperanto at the University of The process of memory within language learning is Amsterdam. Gobbo states that if the motivation of a very important in order to increase the language level. language learning falls down, it falls at the beginning The Levels of Processing Theory (Craik, 2002) states 2 of the learning process . that a memory trace can persist in long term memory (LTM) if it involves a deeper level of processing. Motivation has a significant effect on the areas of Therefore, more than one sensory modality, for development and achievement (Steinmayr & Spinath, instance, verbal and visual processing together, are 2009). Motivation clarifies why people choose a needed (Mayer, 2009). particular activity, how long they are willing to continue doing it and what effort they put in to it 2.1.1 Contextual Learning (Dörnyei and Schmidt, 2001). According to Gardner The contextual surroundings of action have a strong (1985) motivation is a “mental engine that subsumes motivational influence on educational language effort, want/will and task enjoyment”. This definition motivation (Dörnyei, 2003). Interesting here are both of motivation will be used as a basis for this study. the context and engagement with the language that influences learning. Learning a language involves the social patterns and acquisition of skills which are 2 Source: Interview with Federico Gobbo distinctive of another community (Gardner, 1985). Overall, there are two types of motivation: performances can positively influence self- intrinsic motivation applies to cases when conficence. language is learned as a desire to integrate into the target language community; 2.3 L2 Learning Motivation Frameworks extrinsic motivation refers to cases where Research on language learning motivation has a long language is learned
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