Character Amnesia in China We often hear about places where thousands of languages and scripts coexist. But China tells a very different story: here, up to 80% of the population is forgetting how to write even the simplest Chinese characters. The term 提笔忘字, often translated as “character amnesia,” captures this phenomenon—how slow literacy and rapid digitalization are causing people to forget basic words. What are the possible solutions to this growing linguistic decline? Read the full article on Global China Pulse
Don’t Count Out Human Writers in the Age of AI As AI-generated content grows, 2025 will see a comeback for human writers. While AI has its uses, it often lacks the emotional depth and originality that only humans can provide. The rise of “junk content” and falling writer incomes are sparking backlash, with legal actions and social movements pushing for change. As AI struggles with misinformation, the true value of human creativity is becoming clearer, leading to greater recognition and rewards for writers who bring authenticity to the table. Read the full article on Wired
Can You Lose Your Native Tongue? In this article, Madeleine Schwartz analyzes the difficult nature of a bilingual mind and explains how, in certain circumstances, it’s possible not only to learn multiple languages, but also to lose them. Talking in multiple languages isn’t an equilibrium where the languages coexist. Each tries to attract all the attention for itself, and many factors contribute to remembering (or forgetting) a language. Read the full article on The New York Times
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Stories from the Imminent section dedicated to Language insights.
Bruxelles’s multilingual lab The European Research Council is a multilingual hub where international institutions find themselves cooperating. Former president Helga Nowotny takes us inside Brussels’ linguistic chamber and proposes solutions to its many problems.
Ireland: “Back to Irish” Trend The “back to Irish” trend is uniting Ireland and Northern Ireland. Irish is no longer considered unfashionable or useless, and more and more people want to learn the language.
Around the World in 80+ Languages A global perspective on humans, artificial intelligence, and localization, co-authored by Translated’s VP of Artificial Intelligence Solutions, John Tinsley; VP of Social Impact, Alessandro Fusacchia; and Chief Operating Officer, Alessandro Cattelan, builds upon insights gleaned from the Imminent Unconferences.
Articles from Imminent section dedicated to Global Perspectives.
The Korean Waves – South Korea How South Korea’s Hallyu Wave is reshaping global culture—from K-pop and cinema to fashion and tech. From the economic power of chaebols to the hidden struggles of North Korean defectors. A dive into the forces driving South Korea’s global influence.
Greenland – The Silent Frontier Strategic for military defense, crucial for emerging trade routes, and rich in resources vital for new technologies, Greenland is no longer a distant outpost but a contested prize in an unfolding geopolitical game. Uncover the story of how Greenland rose to the center of the world stage in 3 chapters.
The Pulse of the Pacific – New Zealand Where sheep outnumber people and the kiwi is much more than just a fruit, indigenous communities and languages are not merely surviving but thriving. In lands like these, every word holds a story, rich with layers of meaning. A deep dive into the heart of this remote and mesmerizing land.
While the future may not be evenly distributed, at every moment, somewhere in the world, a window to the future opens. And it speaks in the local language of those who gaze through it, looking ahead. Imminent listens to the experts, interprets the numbers, and develops themes that join the dots, all over the world.
