Colleges and universities are cutting dozens of foreign-language degrees and closing departments, citing falling student demand and shifts in curricular priorities. Administrations point to enrollment data and budget pressures; language advocates warn the trend weakens cultural competence and research capacity. Observers note younger learners increasingly use translation apps and prioritize career-linked majors, but language scholars and employers argue that machine translation cannot substitute for deep linguistic and cultural training. Duolingo and other ed‑tech providers report heavy youth usage, yet universities say app usage hasn't translated into degree enrollment. Campus leaders face tension between immediate revenue pressures and the long-term value of language programs for research, diplomacy, and regional studies curricula.