by Mia Yao

 

How does language shape who we are in an age of AI, globalisation, and cultural shifts?

 

We tell stories through the language we use. In the American romantic comedy-drama Anora, 23-year-old sex worker Anora “Ani” Mikheeva first connects with the wealthy son of a Russian oligarch, simply because she speaks Russian. Yet as a first-generation American, she rejects that part of her identity, choosing instead to speak a slang-filled New York English. She prefers to be called Ani, not her given name Anora, because, as she says, “in America, we don’t care what names mean.”

Ani, the girl who ended up marrying the billionaire’s son and becoming part of a twisted, Cinderella-in-reverse storyline, shows us that language is never just a tool for communication. It shapes how we see ourselves and how others perceive us. It enables us to connect, to express our emotions, beliefs and aspirations. As both a product and a driver of human civilisation, language weaves together our identities, cultures, histories and conflicts. We created language, yet in turn, language shapes the way we think and make sense of the world.

The significance of language — along with the stories, values, and traditions passed down through generations — has not changed. What has evolved, however, is the way we communicate, learn, and understand languages in an ever-changing world.

 

The Way We Learn

I am a native Chinese speaker (mainly Mandarin with a mix of my local dialect). Like many millennials who learnt English as a second language, my early experiences were primarily rooted in DVDs, cassette tapes, and face-to-face lessons. Outside the classroom, I relied on a steady diet of pop songs and Hollywood films. 

Today, language learning by young people is driven by interests in music, fandoms, gaming, and through social media, where American accents can be picked up from YouTube creators, Korean words through pop song lyrics by ear, or Mandarin internet slang on social media. 

What’s more interesting is that during COVID, even though people stopped going outside, it did not stop them from learning languages. With lockdowns and social distancing measures in place, they turned to online platforms and digital resources for language learning. Global downloads of the language-learning app Duolingo increased by 67% in 2020 compared to 2019, with the UK seeing a dramatic 132% rise, nearly double the global average. In Hong Kong, the online Mandarin learning platform MMX reported a 128% increase in licensed users from January to May 2020.

As times change and languages evolve, so do our attitudes towards language education, especially as a result of technology. Now, with the impact of generative AI, the landscape of language acquisition has evolved even more dramatically. In a world where our smartphones can translate daily conversations with a click, or render a 265,000-word novel in minutes, language learning, might seem as archaic as hand-copying manuscripts before the printing press. 

Recent Microsoft research suggests that interpreters and translators are among the most affected professions by AI. While some may argue that nuanced, culturally sensitive language work will still requires human insight, this raises the important question of whether traditional language learning is becoming obsolete. On the one hand, while technology may lessen the need for basic communication skills, it cannot depreciate the value of learning for cultural understanding, cognitive growth, social connection, and personal fulfilment. These are more vital dimensions that remain uniquely human and only complement, rather than can be replaced by AI. 

Reflecting on my own journey with English and Cantonese, the memories that stay with me are not the drills of pronunciation or the memorisation of grammar rules – which now frankly can be replaced by technology – but the joy of reading Shakespeare’s sonnets and understanding the nuances and origins associated with Cantonese idioms. 

 

The Perks

While I relish moments of immersing myself in a language that is not my own, I realise how it offers me a new way of thinking. When we think in another language, we develop a different world view, become more respectful, open-minded, and empathetic towards other cultures, values, traditions, and histories. This nuanced lens of language lets us gaze into unfamiliar worlds, and through it, we are able to tap into a cultural literacy that enhances our ability to connect with people from various backgrounds, promoting global citizenship in an increasingly interconnected world.

Beyond the external, learning other languages has also proven to have cognitive benefits. Research shows that bilingualism can improve memory, problem-solving skills, and multitasking abilities. It encourages mental flexibility, as learners navigate different linguistic structures and vocabulary. The ability to switch between languages enhances our overall mental capacity, contributing to better academic and professional outcomes. 

When I first arrived in Hong Kong, I was caught off guard by the city’s complex history, rich blend of Eastern and Western cultures, and later, as I got to know the city better, its linguistic diversity. Walking through the bustling central business district, it is common to hear conversations switch seamlessly between English, Cantonese, and Mandarin. 

Known for promoting biliteracy and trilingualism, Hong Kong is a city that values proficiency in extending knowledge in languages and, which I believe has helped me, a native Mandarin speaker, now conduct my professional work in English and Cantonese. Yes, there have been difficulties to speak a foreign tongue and to fit in, because it’s just so much easier to get by within one’s comfort linguistic bubble. But once I pushed myself to engage, the immense joy in finally being able to understand the jokes, satire and hidden lines is indescribable.  

I know I am not the only one able to benefit from being multilingual. In fact, in today’s globalised economy, proficiency in multiple languages is a valuable asset. Employers increasingly seek polyglot candidates who can communicate with a diversity of international clients and partners. Such language skills set apart individuals in the job market, opening doors to potentially greater career opportunities. And finally, of course, learning languages enhance travel experiences, allowing for more meaningful interactions with a deeper appreciation of local cultures.

 

The Identity

In many ways, today’s young people face a tension of navigating between global fluency and local authenticity, between the efficiency of AI-assisted communication and the slower, more personal journey of human language learning. 

Looking ahead, the future of language education in Hong Kong – like everywhere – will require a fine balance: between technology and humanity, practical use and cultural depth, the international and the local. Yes, AI might take over routine jobs, but perhaps this frees human learners to focus on cultural understanding, creativity, and critical thinking. Language educators will need to place greater emphasis on intercultural competence, teaching students both how to converse and comprehend another language, while also absorbing the values, histories and perspectives that come with it. 

At the same time, Hong Kong must also hold tight to the value of its local tongue, Cantonese. In a globalised world, younger generations should see the cultural heritage embedded in their mother tongue as worth protecting and understand that learning another language should not be done at the expense of losing their own. 

Just like Ani in the film, we are all struggling with our identity and in search of ourselves, through language and beyond. That self is shaped not only by our upbringing and surroundings, but also by our ongoing efforts to learn, experience, understand and appreciate what lies beyond our own. Language is an indispensable part of that journey. In the end, when we return, we not only see others more clearly, but we also understand ourselves anew. ■