Computers today can quickly and accurately translate languages, therefore, it is a waste of time to learn a foreign language. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

 

Computers today can quickly and accurately translate languages, therefore, it is a waste of time to learn a foreign language.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?   

The advent of computer based translators has inspired many to suggest that the days of languages are numbered, having said that, many out rightly dismiss this opinion, and suggest that machines can never supersede humans in this area.  Thus, language courses shall never cease to exist.  

Many, especially the technofiles are quite upbeat about the possibilities brought forth by software driven language interpreters: these applications render speed to the language conversion process and can convert any amount of text, even huge volumes of books into any desired language in a matter of a few minutes. In contrast, one has to first study alien tongues and then translate, it will take them at least a few months if not years to gain sufficient capabilities to perform such tasks. 

Moreover, this lobby also cites big money savings one is able to make when they use a computer based translator application instead of joining a foreign language course. The intelligent interpreter facilities offered by softwares are quite inexpensive and cost barely anything, except nominal subscriptions, when compared to  exorbitant fees and the study material required to undertake and support a foreign language study.

However, others ridicule the former opinion by suggesting that language is the human forte and can never be replaced by the technology. Every tongue and dialect used by humans is driven and influenced by emotions which results in a great variation in the meanings of the same word, phrase and expression: since machines cannot comprehend the same, humans have to rely on their own propensity.

Overall, despite optimism about translation applications, the idea fails to comfort me that humans can forgo alien language studies, machines can sparingly achieve that perfection. Hence, there is hardly anything to agree with in this statement.

 

Nowadays many people with families leave their country to work abroad. Do you think the benefits of this trend outweigh the disadvantages for the families? Give your opinion and include any relevant examples.

Nowadays many people with families leave their country to work abroad. Do you think the benefits of this trend outweigh the disadvantages for the families? Give your opinion and include any relevant examples.

Contemporary times are witnessing an outward movement of individuals, often leaving their families behind, to the other countries in search of greener pastures. This makes it imperative to analyse whether this phenomenon influences families positively or negatively.

Immigrating  to access employment opportunities often brings in a major benefit in the form of appropriately compensated employment which also helps individuals fulfil their desire of working in environments they crave for. This, consequently, lays abundant financial resources at the disposal of the family members who can use these to afford better education and other facilities, improving their quality of life. Moreover, when people working in foreign countries are professionally satisfied, they tend to interact more positively with their nears and dears back home, letting a happy environment pervade in the family.

Similarly, young members of such families, especially children, are able to capitalise on the exposure gained by their kin employed abroad and use the knowledge not only to broaden The perspective about the world but also explore the opportunities for better education and jobs for themselves. This can be corroborated by citing several studies, which have revealed that kith and kin of those working in other nations tend to access global academic and employment opportunities more effectively.

Nevertheless, the only predicament such an evolution can cause is a sense of alienation between family members and individuals working overseas, particularly the youngsters, tend to lose their emotional connection with those living and working in other parts of the world. This might affect relationships in the long run and never let members of a family mingle easily.

Overall, despite the communication gap developing between migrant workers and their families, such migration for the sake of work fetches humongous advantages. Thus, the positives of this evolution exceed the negatives.

The increase in people's life expectancy means that they have to work older to pay for their retirement. One alternative is that people start to work at a younger age. Is this alternative a positive or negative development?

 

The increase in people's life expectancy means that they have to work older to pay for their retirement. One alternative is that people start to work at a younger age. Is this alternative a positive or negative development?

Many commentators have come up with a proposal that one should take up employment quite early on to bolster their extended twilight years financially. This suggestion has fetched both brickbats and accolades due to it having benefits and drawbacks. 

 To start with, there is a great support for this notion, which is primarily based on the assumption that if one were to take up a job at a younger than usual age, when one starts working, they would be able to amass humongous amount of money by virtue of longer work tenure. To this school of thought, it seems plausible/dependable that when an individual would take up a profession early in their youth, they would certainly be having enough energy and enthusiasm to work harder and longer. Such a move would allow them to put more and more money aside for the rainy days and post-retirement years in the form of securities and retirement plans.

Nevertheless,  there is a cynical view of the former opinion that considers it to be quite naive. In reality, joining a profession is likely to expose one to a condition where they may have to abandon their education midway and forgo any opportunities of academic advancements and career progression. This will undoubtedly tie them permanently to low-paying jobs, reducing their chances of earning anything more than making their both ends meet. To exemplify, several studies corroborate this fact; those taking up work early are unable to enhance their skills, rise professionally and save enough money for their autumn years and remain dependent on government grants. 

Overall, despite optimism being expressed about this supposition, it is pitted with umpteen pitfalls in reality. Therefore, it can be said such an arrangement will do more harm than good.

 

More and more people are buying things on the internet to complete their tasks such as cooking, shopping, book tickets. Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?

More and more people are buying things on the internet to complete their tasks such as cooking, shopping, book tickets. Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?

With the rapid growth of digitalization, the internet has become a major platform for people to make purchases to fulfill their daily tasks and routine activities. Although it offers an umpteen number of benefits to its users, at the same time, this technological advancement is posing harm to mankind.

The Internet has become a new supermarket for the buyers of all age groups. Just a few clicks on mobiles or laptops can make things possible without investing extra time in running from pillar to post, or while waiting in queues – especially in the case of booking travel or entertainment tickets.

Similarly, online portals offer a wide range of goods and services to the users along with the competitive pricing. This makes the entire shopping experience of consumers way easier and faster, as it displays  all the available options on computer screens to help make a better choice in terms of price, product and quality. It also offers consumers to enjoy the goods and services worldwide with the same trust and confidence.

However, with this practice, people are becoming lethargic in their lifestyle that poses harm to not only  their physical well being but also becomes a reason for a dent in their pockets, as consumers end up buying more than their actual needs. This trend has been taking a toll on people and planet both, as the gap between the haves and have nots is widening, as well as more natural resources are utilized to fulfill the demands of users.

Thus, I am of the opinion that the advantage of this trend does not outweigh the disadvantages because the benefits that an individual reaps out of this are transient, whereas the damage caused by it is enduring.

 

Nowadays, many schools find it profitable to sell unhealthy food and sugary drinks to students during lunch breaks. Is this a positive or negative development?

 Nowadays, many schools find it profitable to sell unhealthy food and sugary drinks to students during lunch breaks. Is this a positive or negative development?

Nowadays, it is being witnessed that cafeterias informal tuition are serving fast food to young learners during lunch breaks. This has become cause of concern for parents, and health experts alike, for this is precipitating serious repercussions for young ones, and society.

This trend is being derided for promoting fast food culture among the young generation. Undeniably, such edible products are laced with taste-enhancing elements that are addictive in nature, and have a potential to make young minds obsessed with these. Bolstering such food habits in school premises is likely to result in youngsters going back home and asking their parents to afford them the same things. It is feared that this might lead to demise of the practice of cooking meals at home and make future generations completely dependent on processed food, thereby killing the traditional culinary skills.

This does not stop here; it is bound to impact the physical and mental wellbeing of juveniles unfavorably. The ingredients used in preparation of eatables are rich in calories and stimulants but low in essential nutrients such as protein, vitamins, carbohydrates and other minerals, which creates a craving to overeat and override their hunger. This is making youngsters vulnerable to a myriad of disorders and ailments: child obesity is becoming ubiquitous and lifestyle diseases such as type two diabetes and hypertension – that usually affect people much later in life – are inflicting youngsters earlier and more frequently. It is feared that future generations will be unable to contribute to the economic productivity owing to them consuming public resources through the healthcare framework. 

Hence, by all means this propensity of schools can be easily termed as detrimental evolution and is bound to cast an evil shadow on the wellbeing of upcoming generations, as well as society.