Dr. Amy Robinson on Global Engagement and the Human Side of Communication

The central idea was that even as technology — including artificial intelligence — transforms how we communicate, it can’t replace the human side of language and connection. Communication across cultures requires empathy, curiosity, and the ability to interpret meaning beyond words. My goal was to show that learning languages and understanding cultural contexts aren’t just academic goals; they’re essential life skills that help us work, live, and thrive together in a global society.

These tools are remarkable — you can now have earbuds that translate a conversation in real time, almost like a personal interpreter in your ear. But as one tech writer put it, while these systems can bridge language barriers, “the gap still exists for real communication.” They don’t grasp tone, emotion, formality, or cultural nuance. Communication isn’t just about what is said; it’s about how it’s said — the emotion, respect, or irony behind it. Machines can’t fully interpret that.

So while AI translation can be useful when reading a menu or asking for directions abroad, it doesn’t replace human understanding or the trust that develops through authentic interpersonal exchange.

Yes. My friend Brigid is a midwife in Chicago, and her experience captures the limits of mediated communication beautifully. Many of her patients don’t speak English, so hospitals often use on-demand remote interpreters — what patients call “la máquina” — through an iPad or similar device.

In moments of real vulnerability — like childbirth — most of her patients choose Brigid’s limited Spanish over the flawless grammar of the machine. Why? Because they want her. They want eye contact, empathy, reassurance — not a robotic voice on a screen. She told me, “It’s not about getting the tenses right. I’m actively listening to people to understand, in a dynamic and creative exchange.” That kind of communication co-creates meaning; it’s human, messy, emotional — and that’s what builds trust.

The remote interpreter, meanwhile, may technically translate the words but can’t read body language or tone. In those cases, Brigid often stays in the room just to “bridge” the human gap between surgeon, machine, and patient. That story says so much about why language and empathy still matter.

Right — I spoke with Kassie Cooper, who directs the Center to Advance Manufacturing here at BGSU. They’ve been surveying manufacturers in Northwest Ohio, and nearly all identified “language” as a major “pain point.” Many factories rely on workers who speak Spanish, Haitian Creole, or other languages, and even management teams increasingly need intercultural skills to coordinate with partners in Japan and Mexico.

Some companies tried AI translators — even the latest earbud technology — and the verdict was unanimous: they don’t work. The systems can’t handle noisy environments, multiple voices, or dialect variation, and they’re too slow for fast-paced, high-stakes situations. One company said the lag time made them unusable for safety reasons.

What struck me most was that, rather than give up, these companies are now investing in language training. They’re hiring bilingual interns from BGSU, creating space for cultural learning, and even using shared meals to strengthen cross-cultural understanding. That tells me there’s a real economic and human demand for people who can bridge cultures — not just with words, but with empathy.

Exactly. Global engagement isn’t just about traveling or studying abroad — it’s about the ability to listen, adapt, and connect across difference. Whether it’s a patient in labor or a worker on the factory floor, people want to be understood, not just translated. Technology can start a conversation, but it can’t sustain a relationship.

That’s why language study is so powerful: it trains us to tolerate ambiguity, to stay flexible, and to pay attention to what isn’t said. Those skills are invaluable in every setting — professional, academic, and personal.

I understand that feeling. Language learning can seem daunting because there’s so much variation — even within a single language! The way someone greets you in Spain might be completely different from how it’s done in Mexico or Puerto Rico. But that’s part of the beauty of it.

I always tell students: don’t be discouraged by imperfection. You don’t need to know every word or every grammar rule to communicate meaningfully. What matters is curiosity, flexibility, and the willingness to try. Real communication happens when you make the effort — even if it’s not perfect. The magic lies in the human attempt to connect.

Our department is committed to helping students see the practical and personal value of language learning. We’ve just launched undergraduate Language Certificates in nine languages through the Department of World Languages and Cultures. These certificates demonstrate a student’s ability to communicate across basic and professional contexts.

For those who want to go further, we offer minors, majors, and even graduate degrees in areas like Spanish, German, and European Studies — all with built-in study abroad opportunities. Our goal is to prepare students not only to work globally, but to think globally — and to bring that mindset wherever they go.

That communication — real, human communication — is always worth the effort. Technology can help us get started, but empathy, listening, and genuine curiosity are what carry us across cultural divides. So, keep learning languages, keep asking questions, and don’t be afraid of getting it wrong. Every attempt to understand another person brings us closer to the kind of world we all want to live in.