The short answer is that there really isn't any practical application for the sword in today's society. It's an obsolete weapon that's impractical to carry, limited in its use, and clumsy by comparison to more modern self-protection options. Not only is it hiughly unlikely that an occasion would ever arise that you'd face a sword, it is also highly unlikely that if you did, a sword would be the best answer.
If you're looking for something that will "translate into other improvised weapons," then you're better off learning something that doesn't rely on an edge. Learn a stick art, because almost everything you can imagine using as an improvised weapon will be blunt, not edged. There's a difference not only in technique, but the result, of dragging a long blade across a person and smacking him with a stick-like club. You need to be prepared for a different kind of follow-up with a stick than you do with a blade.
If you're looking for something that's fun to do, sword arts can have a lot of benefits. If you want something that can give you a bit of a workout without being too tough on you, they have some benefits. You just can't confuse benefit with practicality.
|