Why Learn to Speak Foreign Languages

By: David Stack
Submitted: 2008-07-30 17:41:37
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Why should we learn another language? Today when the whole world is becoming English-speaking, I don’t see any reasons for learning languages other than English. We can go anywhere in the world and communicate in English with the locals, but knowing foreign languages will take people a step forward in global communication, and it will open more opportunities in their lives. Imagine if you meet your soul mate, and you can’t understand each other because of the language barrier. Therefore, speaking more than one language is a great advantage.

First, speaking foreign languages is a great advantage in the work field. Knowing a foreign language may increase your chances of finding a new job, especially in the tourism and hospitality field. For example, speaking Spanish is a big advantage when looking for a job of any type in Florida. When you start working, you have better opportunities to grow and to get a promotion or to get transfer overseas or to go on foreign business trips if you speak other languages. Who is going to be sent to negotiate in Mexico? Logically, a Spanish speaking person will be sent. Many English-speaking business people don't bother to learn other languages because they believe that most of the people they do business with can speak English, but the locals will probably feel more comfortable using their own language rather than English. Even learning a couple of words and being able to say, “Hello. How are you?” will mean a lot to a potential business partner. That means that you are interested in their culture, not just in the money and profits.

Furthermore, if you want to move to a different country, speaking the local language will help you to communicate and integrate with the local community. English is spoken everywhere, for instance, if you move to my country, Macedonia you can speak English and normally communicate with the locals. If you move to Holland, which is next to England, 90% of the people speak English, it's still worth it to speak the local language, or even show initiative to learn the local language, because that will demonstrate your interest in and commitment to the new country. When you move to a foreign country, you will face different customs and way of living. In order to better understand the culture and way of thinking, it’s very helpful to speak the local language. If you speak or even try to, you will be able to win over sympathies from the locals. That means you show respect to them, for their culture and country, so when you win sympathies that will help you to talk and integrate with the local community faster and easier.

In addition, if you speak more than one language it is easier to travel, meet people, and make friends. I have traveled to many places in the world. I have visited at least 20 countries in Europe, Asia, and America. One thing I learned is that, the more languages you speak, the better it is. I speak four Slavic languages, so whenever I travel somewhere, I meet people from Slavic speaking countries. Even though we speak English after we say a couple of words in Slavic to each other, the fact that I speak or even understand their languages makes me their friend. Knowing even a few phrases of the language will make a huge difference. You will meet many more people and find it much easier to get around when you travel. People are much more receptive if you make an effort to speak their language. This can turn a frustrating experience into the trip of a lifetime. For instance, I know a few phrases in Spanish, so whenever I meet Spanish speaking people, I start saying words in Spanish. Their reaction is always positive because I put an effort to learn and to understand some words and parts of their culture.

Language is what makes us human. It is the medium we use to share our thoughts with the world. Could you imagine thought without language? The world would be a very complicated place for people to understand each other; therefore, learning another language is like discovering another world. One thing is sure, the more languages we speak the better we understand the world and the other cultures.

Article source: Expert Articles