Twisting Tongues: The Power of Languages
It has long been told that languages are necessary for people to learn but less people are shown why and even fewer have felt the power of knowing a few languages. Every person alive knows a language and a certain dialect of that language. It may be the only one that person knows but nonetheless, the person knows one.
Language is a part of culture. It allows people within a community to communicate cohesively. This means that every transaction, every conversation, and every trade now has a common denominator- its language. Art within the culture can now be expressed in a way that everyone within the culture can understand. Many people who speak English can understand a Van Halen song or a Rolling Stones song with minimal, if any interpretation.
What about those who cannot speak English? In this instance, how will English speakers communicate with them?
An advantage that the modern world gives its people is the many accessible resources the population has to be able to learn a language, even languages that are on the other side of the world. Travelling efficiently to these faraway destinations has also improved, taking less time than ever for someone to reach a long distance destination. Although these opportunities are present and accessible to most people, I notice that many people still only learn one language, more so in the Western world than in other parts.
For many others, learning a language is needed, both for business purposes but to speak to people. It is a way for souls to connect with each other when they come from different places. Many locals have lived in the same country for generations. Their legacies are built on the land and have a strong connection with that language. For another to learn their language and to speak it to them is a way to speak to their heart. It never fails for me to light up another person’s day whenever I speak their native tongue.
A language can change over time. It is inevitable. Words acquire a new meaning or connotation, the spelling changes and new jargon evolves. These changes often come from a change in culture, which gives insight into any major shifts that occur during a specific time period. For instance, a change in the English language in the United States was taking out the “ou” from words like “colour”, and “decour” and are now spelled “color”, and “decor” in American English. The reason behind this eas that printing was expensive in the early years of the United States. Printing each letter costs a certain amount and in order to reduce these costs of printing, newspapers and other businesses began omitting the “ou” from these words and eventually, these modified words were accepted into the English languages many Americans use today. This change shows the economic struggle a young country may face when establishing its roots in its own independence.
Names offer a unique combination of cultures as it pertains to languages. They often come from words with different meanings that can construct part of a person’s identity by demonstrating a renown trade, ability or feature of the person’s lineage. The various countries in South America all have names that derive from Spanish names, some with Latin influences or influences from the languages of the natives in those areas. This blend comes from the mix of cultures between the European colonists and natives. People may also have names from two different cultures which can show the integration of two languages or two dialects of the same language. My first name, for example, is an English name, meaning “a field of ashes”, but my last name is Spanish and Italian in origin. I have grown to love all of the cultures I was raised in, even the ones that I was not directly part of.
Languages are easy to learn. Yes, you read that correctly. The reason many people find languages so difficult is because of the environment which people are thrust into or put themselves into. Language us an inherent part of human nature and to say language is difficult simply implies a lack of effort or improper environment. It is as if a person would say that walking is difficult.
The start of learning a language is quite simple- having the “why” and the will to learn it. It helps if a person is interested in the language and the culture to which said language pertains to. Otherwise, the language will seem like a chore and one can become quickly disinterested in it.
Once that language and the will have been identified, it it wise to list ways in which the language will be learned through reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension. There must be a method in each way to fluently know a language. Reading is often the easier method to find methods in. Children’s books, magazines, and newspapers are the best ways to begin reading a new language. The paragraphs are often shorter and the verbiage is usually simple. Illustrations or photos often accompany the words so there is always at least a vague grasp as to what the words are about. As for writing, the solution is simple- write. There are children’s notebooks that may offer writing practice in simple sentences. My writing method is writing my journal entries in the language but I began writing sentences in that language. Pen pals are another method of mastering a language, but this does come with the intention that a person knows at least the basics of the language. There are pages on social media and websites that are dedicated to connecting people as pen pals, from different corners of the world. Caution is always advised when meeting people on these sites and pages. I personally have used one page on social media and I have met two amazing women. I write to them in their native tongue which is the language I am learning. With these two lovely women, I can learn how to speak the language and I have even practiced my verbal speech through phone calls and audio messages. For them, I have helped them with their English.
I do not entirely oppose using digital technology when learning a language. I believe that there are some ways outside of using Duolingo and Rosetta Stone that are better. Try watching a movie, one that is known by heart, but with the audio in the foreign language and the subtitles in the native tongue. You will know what is happening in the movie while your wars become accustomed to understanding and recognizing the phonetics of the language. Disney movies are the best for this.
Cultural programs and college programs are wats that people who speak different languages can meet. It is not a direct way to learn a language but it is a great way to connect with people. Ultimately that is what language is for- community and beauty in a culture.
Tourist areas are another way to indirectly interact with another languages. Cities like London, Berlin, and Orlando are all prime examples. Not everyone may live near cities like these, but they may live near a major cultural attraction or business center. Kaiserslautern in Germany, for example, has international companies and presence near there and one is likely to learn other languages besides German there.
The most direct way to learn a language is to immerse into the culture. In other words, go visit the culture and country to whom that language belongs to. If you have the ability to go visit a country, do it. Visiting a new country is not only an introduction of a new language- its an enrichment of life. You will see new perspectives of different people and develop a sense of gratitude for what you currently have in your own life.