Will Word Lens bring us closer to universal translation?

One of the things I always found clever (and convenient) in Star Trek is the universal translator. Some alien would transport onto a Federation starship and, bang, instant communication. As the audience we, of course, realize that this new alien species does not speak any human language. However, we accept the alien speaking our language because, let's face it, subtitles can be effective, (example, District 9) but not for a television series. The stories are shorter and reading subtitles week after week would prove to be too taxing for the audience.

When you think about it, the universal translator is an amazing piece of technology. Nevertheless, the writers of Star Trek always tried to make the translator as realistic as possible. Like all technology, even in the future, it was not always perfect. In fact, many times it is the inability of the universal translator to effectively decipher a new alien language that framed the actual storyline.

Take, for instance, the episode "Darmok," in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Poor Captain Picard spends most of the episode trying to understand the Tamarian, Captain Dathon. It is a cleverly written episode that explores the nuances of language with clever references to the Ancient Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh.

But even with the new iPhone augmented reality application, Word Lens, it is highly unlikely that Picard would have figured out the Tamarian language any quicker. Apparently, the new application is far from perfect, but it does look pretty impressive. It may not be helpful with alien languages, but it looks like it could make life a little easier in many circumstances.

Below is a video demonstration of the application on Spanish signs. However, at least one of the signs, does not need expensive technology to help decipher its meaning. Regardless of what language I was trying to understand, if I was walking on a beach and saw a sign with a shark on it, chances are an iPhone and a fancy application are not necessary to translate the meaning.

Of course whether it is a universal translator or the gadgets and applications that are being created in our present day, one concern we should have is that sometimes the ease and use of technology can sadly eliminate human interaction. When we struggle with another language or another person's customs and traditions, we learn more about that person in the process. When we share and learn from another person, we grow stronger bounds. This was evident with Picard and Dathon. It also makes for better storytelling. Sometimes when technology does not work or is limited in its capability, science fiction can be more entertaining, and in the real world life can be more engaging.