In the modern world, a person must know many languages. Well, as it should, rather it’s already built into us. We either grow up in a family where parents or grandparents speak two languages, thereby becoming bilingual, or we study a foreign language at school. But at school they explain little or not at all why knowledge of another language is needed. In this article I will share what knowledge of several languages gives and how my life ultimately turned out thanks to this. Perhaps this article will motivate you and you will start doing what you have been putting off for so long.
Where did my language learning begin?
My grandmother always said, “The number of languages you know, the more you are as a person.” I considered this an old man’s parable, but I only began to understand the truthfulness of these words later, when I began to study the language. Since childhood, I spoke only one language; my parents never instilled in me a love for learning them. So I lived with the concept that this is how it should be. I realized how important language is only when I faced problems, the main reason for which was ignorance.
Being forced to move to a country in which I did not speak a language forced me to reconsider my attitude regarding this topic. At the age of 13, knowing only Russian, I began to live in Armenia and study the language of these people. Then, after a while, I began to expand my knowledge and actively study French. Meanwhile, I was already 15 or 16 years old, I understood how important English was, but everyone around me said that my French pronunciation was very beautiful. I never pronounced the letter “R”, and always pronounced it like true Frenchmen.
I started learning French for myself without planning to connect my life with it. My wish was to know it for self-development and broadening my horizons. But the more I immersed myself in the language, the more I realized that it was not enough for me, I wanted to know more, learn the culture of this country, history and so on. Then I started preparing to enter university.
How knowledge of languages became my profession
Already at the university I began to study English. This was difficult for me, I won’t hide it, although I thought it should be easier. However, difficulties always strengthened me and it was like a challenge. I understood that I could do it. If you have a desire to make yourself better, if you have a goal to do everything for your bright future, you go through these difficulties.
Since my department had a language focus, in addition to basic languages such as French and English, we also studied an oriental language. There was little choice – Turkish, Persian or Arabic. Learning the new alphabet and the elegant Persian letters made me choose this language.
Unfortunately, when you don’t continue to develop a language, it is forgotten. This is what happened to the Persian language. Yes, I remember letters, I remember some simple phrases and words. But, unfortunately, cannot communicate fully on it. But someday I will return to it again and consolidate everything I have learned and even more.
Thus, by the end of the university, in addition to my native Russian language, I knew Armenian, French and English. We are not talking about perfect proficiency, because you cannot even know your native language 100%. Nevertheless, even basic phrases from another language greatly simplify our lives.
What did knowing languages give me
- As they say, if you want to make God laugh, tell about your plans. I did not intend to connect my life with languages, and yet my profession is translator, linguist and teacher. Of course, I teach more, helping kids learn new languages, but sometimes I translate text mainly into French. One way or another, knowing the language got me a job.
- Free communication. When I come to another country, I can communicate more or less freely with native speakers, which greatly simplifies my stay in another country. If there is a problem, you can contact and explain to the locals what you need help with.
- Knowledge of the language gives a small guarantee of safety. Being in another country, there is a low probability that you will be deceived. Knowing a language helps you better understand cultural norms and traditions, which can reduce the risk of misunderstandings or conflicts.
- You can read original literature and understand music. It expands your horizons and your perception of the world.
- General Development. Learning a language requires a lot of patience. It also promotes the development of logical thinking, memory and perseverance.
Difficulties to be faced.
Everything I described below became a small obstacle for me. Perhaps this will not be a problem for you.
- The grammar of a foreign language and its structure may be completely different from your native one. At first, it will seem to you that you don’t understand anything, but over time there will be a system in your head.
- Memorizing new words is not as easy as you would like, but be patient. Everything will work out, don’t stop halfway.
- Lack of real practice. You may know a language well theoretically, but communication is needed to consolidate it. Try to find a native speaker and spend at least an hour a day communicating.
Conclusion
Now I understand what the phrase “the number of languages you know, the number of people you are” means. By studying a language, you also study the culture of the country, its traditions, and history. Regardless of you, you can internally acquire another person, a Frenchman, or an American, thereby becoming another person.
Do you think a person who knows four languages can be considered multinational? I think so. If you are faced with whether it is worth learning languages and why you need it, believe me, you need it. In the future, you will thank yourself for being able to find three, being able to find strength in yourself and now you can communicate in another language, and learn a lot of new and interesting things.