Attitudes toward language form the environment in which language is learned. The learner's own interest in language and knowledge about the world in general provide the basis for language acquisition. In the expanded worlds of science and of commerce there is an enormous production of information and an urgent need for the language skills which allow the individual access to it and there is a need for translators who can guarantee communication across language boundaries. While there is a vigorous interest in foreign languages among students and in the science and business community, poor preparation in language - and in science and history as well - creates serious problem for the willing language learner and for the teacher of language and translation skills. This paper deals with the background of these problems in teaching language and translation, the impetus for a change in attitudes toward language, and the attempts of educators to teach language and translation in such a difficult environment.