The ATA Chronicle - September/October 2023 - 37

that it has completed its
cycle, the smooth humming
of an engine to indicate
normal operation versus
sputtering to let you know it
has been taken by an unknown
illness, the flickering of
an incandescent light bulb
to warn of its impending
doom-this connection
between human and robot,
language and technology,
is and has been intertwined
for centuries, progressing
rapidly to the infinity of their
ultimate merge.
Bob Makovei,
LTD Consultant
As we grow up, we normally
pick up our native language
with no effort or pain.
Throughout our formative
years, we then polish it
to certain levels mostly
influenced first by our closer
environment, then by subject
matters we like. If we choose
occupations where language
is a primary means of doing
the work, we will soon face
the fact that we can only
flourish if we have passed a
certain threshold in mastering
language-not only foreign
but native as well. And then
we do exactly the same with
the primary tools technology
gives us: follow the evolving
and keep up.
Andy Benzo,
LTD AP Researcher
When you think about
technology, what comes to
mind? Would you have ever
thought of language? Both
language and technology
have enabled evolution and
progress. Both are a creation
of the human mind. Both
are instrumental in the
dissemination of knowledge
and education.
www.ata-chronicle.online
Language is the foundation
of human communication;
through it, we have shared
knowledge and experiences
from generation to
generation. Technology
helped us record that
knowledge, increased
productivity, and simplified
daily tasks. Both have evolved
over time. Language has
allowed us to communicate
abstract concepts, express
emotions, and collaborate on
complex tasks, which in turn
resulted in the development
of tools, machines, and
digital systems. Both have
permitted us to achieve
goals we once considered
impossible. It's essential that
we use both tools carefully,
considering their profound
impact on our lives and the
world at large.
Carlos Fasola,
LTD Consultant
If technology involves human
engineering, language is
not a technology, since
it's just a state of the
language faculty, developing
like any innate human
ability without conscious
effort. Nevertheless, the
construction of terminology
is a technology-an
important one, permitting,
or at least reinforcing,
conceptual distinctions.
Karen Leube,
LTD Consultant
When I think of language,
I think of creativity. When
I think of technology, I
think of mechanics without
creativity. Yet it appears
we have reached the point
in which the two concepts
can be married in a way
that brings out the best of
both-with a human in the
Embracing language as a
technology invites us to explore
its potential while acknowledging
its mysteries.
driver's seat. ChatGPT can
be prompted to produce a
poem on the most esoteric
topic in iambic pentameter
at a level of creativity that
few of us humans can match
on our own. Yet without the
human creating a prompt,
no such poem will come to
life-or will it? Expounding
on " language as technology "
is difficult, but on " language
with technology " -why not?
Blaise Hylak, LTD
Consultant and Social
Media Coordinator
Though it sounds strange at
first, language can be
considered one the world's
oldest technologies, perhaps
right alongside fire.
According to USHistory.org,
" By definition, technology
refers to the 'practical
application of knowledge in a
certain area,' [so] learning
how to tame and use fire
proved an invaluable
technological advance in
human development. " The
Oxford dictionary defines
technology as, " The
application of scientific
knowledge for practical
purposes. " In that light, if
you ponder the dawn of
mankind, language was
indeed a technological " tool "
that prompted early humans
to form communities and
later whole civilizations-
very " practical purposes, "
indeed! In modern times,
language undoubtedly holds
the key to interconnectivity,
local flavor, and true global
understanding. It drives
creativity and innovation,
while simultaneously
fostering love and meaning.
However, miscommunication
(i.e., misuse of language) can
elicit just the opposite result.
How can this " tool " do both,
and what might the takeaway
be? Perhaps, as with any
truly useful tech tool,
" Handle with care " (and
include the experts!).
NOTE
Bennett, Drake. " Language
Was the Original Technology,
and It's Under Threat. "
Bloomberg's Tech Daily
(March 17, 2023).
American Translators Association 37

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2023-03-17/chatgpt-vs-english-major-ai-writes-essays-but-can-t-replace-humanities-degree https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2023-03-17/chatgpt-vs-english-major-ai-writes-essays-but-can-t-replace-humanities-degree https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2023-03-17/chatgpt-vs-english-major-ai-writes-essays-but-can-t-replace-humanities-degree https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2023-03-17/chatgpt-vs-english-major-ai-writes-essays-but-can-t-replace-humanities-degree http://www.USHistory.org http://www.ata-chronicle.online

The ATA Chronicle - September/October 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The ATA Chronicle - September/October 2023