個別言語特殊演習（３）

The recent development of so-called generative AIs appears to be successful in translating a language into another, or more generally in intellectual activities that humans do. Language is, however, not just a chunk of information that is automatically and mechanically transferred from one user to another in a linear and probabilistic manner; it is rather a complex system that is part of and essential to human beings, which itself is a target of scientific inquiry. Language also integrates various aspects of the culture(s) in which (or around which) it is used, and each of the c.a. 7,000 languages in the world has its own beauty (and ugliness), i.e., its peculiar universe. Thus, learning and using a language other than your mother tongue has much more meaning than just getting a tool of information exchange.
In this course, we will investigate whether and how it is meaningful to learn a language in the current and future "AI ear". We will first discuss some basic philosophical, cultural, societal, educational, and neurological aspects of language learning, using, and teaching, as well as properties of diverse languages themselves. Based on these discussions (and yet other perspectives), each of the participants will "advertise" a language (or language learning) in the class. The ultimate goal of this course is to actively and critically consider our lives and societies through the lens of language learning, in order for all of us to live a fruitful, meaningful, and delightful life and to make the world better (in some sense that the participants will figure out for themselves in the class, hopefully).