Sometimes when we think of what it will cost us to learn a new language – time, money, (mental) energy- we get discouraged. This is because we do not pay closer attention to the benefits that come with being competent in a foreign language. We are interested in your self-improvement. This is why we have harnessed some benefits associated with learning a foreign language in order to encourage you to go for it.
- Unlimited Opportunities
Knowledge of a foreign language or more gives you unlimited opportunities in terms of jobs and scholarships. The nature of some jobs, especially ones that deal with customer care and general public relation would need the personnel to be competent in more than a language. This will make communication between the establishment and customers much homely and cordial. Customers feel belonged when their language is used in speaking with them. They get relaxed because they will not have to go through the stress of trying to express themselves in a language that is not theirs. Employers therefore consider those with this additional skill to make customer service better more employable.
Again, some scholarship positions, bursary and general funding require applicants to have at least communication proficiency in the language of the benefactor country. When you have these languages, you can be open to these opportunities, whether job or scholarship.
A speaker of a foreign language stands the chance of getting a job of interpreting, translating or teaching foreign language. My friend Henry is competent in German and he saw himself through the university by what he earns as a German tutor. Maureen got a high paying job in a factory where Chinese work with Nigerians who do not understand Chinese. They depend on Maureen in giving instructions to the labourers.
- Increased Network
A fundamental source of self-improvement and growth is networking. Networking is about building a chain of individuals who would be of assistance in one way or the other to your life endeavour. There is no limit to where you can extend your network to so long as communication can be initiated and sustained between the parties. Language is at the centre of this. You can easily build a relationship and then network with foreigners whose language you speak. My friend recently learnt Chinese. She has since then been establishing a lot of networks. She secured a scholarship to study in China (because she is proficient in the language) and had to choose from four Chinese friends who live in China who to pick her up on arrival and whom to stay with until she secures a place for herself. This is what her network has offered her.
- Safety
My friend, Maureen, before she left for China did not have any fear or stress of being in China because she understands the language even before she left. She feels safe because whatever will be said around her would be understood by her. She will also be able to express herself competently in the language. Most of the time, people are put in danger in foreign countries either as migrants or tourists when they can’t understand or speak the language of their host country. But when one is competent in the language, safety is more or less assured. One would easily ask for help and get it without the time-taking need of an interpreter. What is more, a dangerous environment can always be detected and safety sort instantly. For instance, when people around plans against your life in a foreign land, in their language, you can easily negotiate your safety with your feet because you could understand the language.
- Career Advancement
A career in translation studies will be enhanced by competence in more languages. The act of translation being more or less an interpretation or rewriting requires a native-knowledge of each language one is to work on. The clarity and aptness of one’s translation is largely dependent on competence in both the source (the language in which the work to be translated is formerly in) and the destination (the new language the work will be written in) languages.
Furthermore, a career in engineering and other sciences may be advanced if one has competence in certain languages of the cultures that thrive in these areas. For instance, Chinese and Japanese (most Asian languages in fact) may be a plus in advancing and updating one’s knowledge and technical know-how in the applied sciences and mechanics.
- Cognitive Improvement
Language learning is a very conscious activity that stretches the brain and develops the mind’s ability to grasp and retain. Apart from the immediate benefits of learning a new language, it can also boost one’s brain ability. This is because learning a new language involves expanding the horizon of the mind to accommodate new lexis, grammar, sounds, word forms, meanings etc. without blocking up the areas where the linguistic competence of the first language is contained. One can therefore think of learning a new language as exercise of the mind. Just like gymnastic activities enhance body performance, learning a new language can sharpen the mind to do extra cognitive tasks such as critical thinking, and remembering. Those who are multi-lingual also rarely suffer memory loss resulting from age or dementia.
- See The World From Different Views
Learning a foreign language helps one to see the world from a perspective other than one’s local view. Language has been associated with habit of thought and world view of its speakers. People who speak a particular language are conditioned to see the world in the light of how that language presents reality to them. German for instance is a language that ascribes gender to everything. As such, the understanding of gender and its roles in German world view will be conditioned partly by this linguistic expectation. When one acquires a language, one begins to think and apprehend the world in extended view. This makes for appreciation of culture as well as breed accommodation and acculturation, even if on individual level. The more language you learn, the more human you become. This is because you better see things from more perspectives and then can agree or compromise accordingly with others.
- Boost Confidence
Maybe you didn’t know but learning a foreign language boosts your confidence with a measurable percentage. There is always this feeling of being ‘okay’ in the midst of people especially when this knowledge makes you a sort-after among friends and colleagues. I love reading German Philosophers. I used to feel intimidated whenever I came across German words left untranslated in the English translations I read. The moment I learnt the language, I began to look out for these untranslated words. Now I wish to read them in their original texts. Any time I see a text written in German, I make for it, knowing full well that I can read it. Sometimes, even when you know nothing else, the assurance that you can talk to a foreigner or can understand a foreigner makes you stand chest up and want to try more things.
- Better Disposed To Compare
When you are proficient in more than one language, you stand a better ground to compare between cultures and cultural productions. Some departments of Comparative Literature requires applicant to have knowledge of a language other than their official language. This is because as comparatists, they are not supposed to compare with translations but with the original. They get to read and appreciate literary works and other cultural forms in their original form. Of course, we know that translation is as good as rewriting.
Comparison also brings about improvement. When one compares the ways of life or philosophies of a people which the knowledge of their language allows, one may be motivated to improve in some ways that one is lagging behind and become a better individual. This is why globalization is today encouraged.
- Deeper Appreciation Of Foreign Cultures
Humans are wont to consider their immediate culture as the best. This is partly because they do not understand the cultures of others to whom they are an alien. The gateway to understanding a foreign culture is their language. In fact, language is a repository of culture. Competence in a language gives one assess to the deeper meaning of certain cultural forms and practices of the people. Understanding and appreciating others’ culture in itself brings about accommodation, cooperation and peace. So, one can end up making the world more peaceful by just learning more foreign languages. The westerners may see African ways of life less barbaric if they understood their languages, and consequently, cultures.
- Global Citizenship
In this era of globalization and cosmopolitanism, competence in foreign languages makes one better disposed to assume citizenship of the world. Claiming citizenship either politically or idealistically without being immersed in the culture via language of the people is a mere charade. Competence in foreign languages makes you belong mentally and otherwise. The people whose language you speak will automatically develop the fellow feeling and solidarity sparked off by speaking in one tongue. A global citizen with knowledge of these languages can effectively and profitably participate in the politics, business and social life of the host culture. Aside being a global citizen, international politics is enhanced by knowledge of foreign language.
Bignedu
