I think the problem with the Chinese room is that if you have something that can "mechanically" translate via algorithm, maybe that means it already understands

I think the problem with the Chinese room is that if you have something that can "mechanically" translate via algorithm, maybe that means it already understands. It's like saying a blind person cannot understand anything about the world because they cannot see. But to the extent that the blind person can successfully navigate the environment belies a sufficient understanding of that domain.