Learning new languages is fun. In my 26 years on earth, I’ve tried to learn French, Spanish, German, Latin, Korean, Japanese, and Arabic. (Note: “Tried” is the key word here. These are in order from success –> misery.)
And, despite my many struggles and failures, there’s nothing like actually communicating or understanding an idea in another language. It’s a sense of accomplishment that, for unathletic and unmusically talented kids like me, is unparalleled.
I’m pretty sure, however, that if I never traveled abroad, I wouldn’t find it fun at all.
Thus, when I was invited to participate in Kaplan’s Inspire Language Learning Bloggers Contest, I didn’t have to think too hard.
The question Kaplan posed was, “What is the most important benefit of learning another language? Is it love, travel, money, or intelligence?” They suggested using this nifty infographic to get our ideas flowing.
Learn English with Kaplan
Let’s see.
Love. I’ve only dated a few foreign guys, and with them, our common language was English. Lame. Though I have no doubt that being able to speak to a BF in another language would up my hotness, it’s not why I’ve learned other languages.
Money. I feel like it’s difficult for native English speakers to bring in the big bucks solely from knowing another language. Sure, it’s a great line on your resume, but not a reason to slave over German noun endings.
Intelligence. Language learning does make you smarter, true. But so does learning linear equations (whatever those are) and how microwaves work (how? HOW!?).
Travel. That’s my reason for learning languages.
First off, it makes travel so much easier. Being able to read a sign or ask someone where the bathroom is can turn a near-disaster into a fun travel experience.
It can also turn a French waiter from a mute head-nodder into your loquacious best friend.
Secondly, knowing the native language makes you, and those you interact with, happy.
Even if it’s just a simple phrase, the smiles on people’s faces when you speak to them in their mother tongue show that they appreciate it. And the sense of accomplishment and victory that you feel (Holy crap! I said “Hello!” And they understood!) is pretty awesome.
Though I kind of hate that English is the universal language, because it means I don’t get to practice other languages as often as I’d like, it does mean that the bar is set VERY low.
If a native English speaker, an American especially, just mumbles two words in the worst accent you’ve ever heard, people are going to be unduly impressed.
So even though I suck at most of the languages listed above, my minimal efforts still make a difference. In Korea, just being able to say “Two beers, please,” will delight your bartender to no end. No matter that you can’t say “And a cran-vod.” They still will appreciate you trying. Good feelings all around.
Lastly, and most importantly, knowing the language makes travel more meaningful for everyone involved.
I’m a true believer in the power of kindness and mutual understanding. With our globalized society, these ideas are growing ever more important. And it’s much easier to have mutual understanding when you can communicate.
Communicating in someone’s own language opens the door to a genuine interaction, and ideally, a genuine connection.
Being able to ask my Guatemalan hiking guide about his experiences in the civil war, or talking with my waitress about life on a remote island in Nicaragua — these are experiences that I had only because I could communicate in Spanish.
Granted, I often have to resort to speaking English, given that I don’t know many languages. That makes the times I am able to speak in a native language all the more special. I relish in it.
Because when you make efforts to communicate in other people’s words, it sets you apart, and opens that door, that trust, that connection. It makes all the difference.
And that’s why I learn other languages.
What do you say? Do you learn languages for love, money, intelligence, or travel?
What a great article! I remember reading that infograph a while ago. In respect to my own experience I have been hired at small retail jobs for knowing Spanish, as well as hired for the Spanish-language blogging job I have now. But it’s not big money (at all), so I would say travel is why knowing a foreign language is important. People are generally so sweet when you try to speak with them, even if you can barely communicate 🙂
Well, that’s awesome, Ashley — you are going to have both French AND Spanish under your belt here pretty soon. That’s more than a lot of people can say. Good for you!
Like you, I like to learn as much of a foreign language as I can before I go somewhere. I hate, hate, HATE being seen as an Ugly American, so anything I can do to help diminish that, I’ll do.
Good for you, Juliann! Sometimes it’s hard, but I think it’s always worth it.
Lovely blog!Very interesting articles, too!Ilaughed a lot here when i read the part when you said you “tried” to learn those languages. I am in the same situation. I`m interested in so many languages (especially asian ones) and i tried to learn many of them, but it only a trial. The only one i really succeed was japanese. But about chinese an korean, the only thing i learned is not even enough to survival in those countries!Now i am struggling to learn hindi. Its really nice the feeling when we can understand a simple word. I great sense of self accomplishment, indeed!Lets keep “trying” to learn the languages!Wish you all the best!Bye!
Wow, Juliana, you’ve tried to learn a lot of languages! I’m very impressed with your attempts. Even if not completely successful, you’re right; just being able to say a simple word is a WONDERFUL feeling. I agree — let’s keep “trying” to learn languages. Thanks for stopping by!
This is a great article, learning a new language, or learning something new at all opens so many doors. It truly is awesome when you can communicate with someone in their native language even if it is only to order your coffee or say thank you.
Thanks, Erica! I completely agree with you. The first words I look up when I go to a country are: hello, thank you, bathroom, and beer!
Great article, Susan. I love the part about conversing with your Guatemalan guides about subjects that could only be discussed in Spanish. That’s why I’m studying Korean full-time– since culture is embedded in language, and there’s only so much one can learn about a country when conversing in English. (That is, if English is not the main spoken language.)
I can’t say I’m fluent in any language–language learning is a lifelong endeavor IMO–but like you, I have “tried” to learn several languages, including Spanish, Korean, Dutch, Italian and Latin. (In order by how much I succeeded.) Hopefully someday I’ll be confident enough to change the “language” section on my FB profile. ^^
Hi Sarah! Good on your for studying Korean! I love how you said that “culture is embedded in language.” I totally agree, and I think that holds especially true for Korea. I found it difficult to really connect with a lot of people in Korea, and I think a lot of it had to do with the massive culture/language barrier. Best of luck in your studies, and keep in touch!
Hey!!
The post is quite interesting..
And after reading this I can say that Although learning another language is a very tough task and tine consuming too.
But the major benefits of learning another language that either improve their lives or help in opening up new opportunities for them.
This is important especially if you are a frequent traveller to that country or wherever locations your second language is spoken.
It is one thing that you know enough words and sentences so you can get by with your stay there and another thing when you are really fluent in that language.
Thumbs up!!to your blog..
God Bless U!!
Keep doing good work.
You can actually understand what others are saying though if you are millions mile away from home. – http://collegeplaton.ca.
The main benefit of learning languages for me is traveling as well. I have not traveled so often in my life as I would like. But every time I was about going somewhere to travel, I couldn’t even imagine how I can go to a country, whose language I don’t know. This is really difficult, cause not everyone speaks English in this world. Also, this is disrespectful of the country which you are going to. This is my opinion only, but it’s the main reason for learning languages for me. And that’s cool. The more languages you speak, the bigger your world is.
Hi Susan. Thanks for mentioning Nicaragua… I am a proud nicaraguan 😉
I liked this article and certainly I agree with you, when you try learning a language you feel a true connection when speaking with a native.
I appreciate how you explain the benefits of learning a language for travel. My brother and I are wanting to travel to Italy and want to communicate with the people out there. Maybe we will look into learning Italian.