Throughout Europe, roughly 800,000,000 Europeans represent the Council of Europe's 47 member states and they in turn offer a diverse array of different languages and dialects. In the European Union itself, there are 24 official languages; some are linked together from a common ancestry.
But why should we waste time learning other languages when we are content with using English in our day to day activities? Well firstly, physiological studies have shown that speaking two or more languages is a great asset to the cognitive process. In fact, the brains of bilinguals operate slightly differently when compared to monolinguals and these differences are very beneficial to the way we think. In fact, some go as far as saying that language change the way we think so much, some native speakers of other languages think differently to how we do.
But without even indulging ourselves in the many scientific terminologies and statistics, there are many other reasons why one should consider learning another language. Emigration- why should we limit yourself to just living in one country if we are capable of another language? Surely we would not then be hindered into moving elsewhere due to a language barrier. Without even considering the element of culture, I can think of quite a few places on Earth were an umbrella is less than essential!
Family and friends- this is also very important. Statistically speaking, those who speak more than one language have a wider network of friends and colleagues around the world. This is surely a useful thing to have? Furthermore, one also benefits from different job opportunities offered around the world. If you are a student, being able to speak another language enables you to carry out your research or your study abroad in other institutions where there are world renounced experts in your chosen field.
In addition, due to the historical development of our languages, one can often realize fascinating aspects of our own past through learning and comparing different languages. For instance, when I was talking to my friends recently about the topic of "untranslatable words", I learnt that there are many exciting and ever so useful words in other languages that English simply does not possess. "Złota Jesień", is the Polish term for a "golden autumn", with connotations of the beautifully hued red, yellow and orange colours that paint our autumnal scenery every year. Or that the Italian word "culaccino" refers to the annoying mark left by a cold glass on the coffee table- WHY do we not have this word?! Not to mention the Swedish word "mångata" used to refer to the reflection the moonlight makes on the gentile waves of the sea- how romantic!
Personally, I have benefited from learning languages greatly in terms of traveling this year. Yes, it is true that one can still travel without speaking another language but I am certain that my travelling experiences this year would not have been anywhere the same had I not been able to speak the languages that I do. Meeting interesting people in the Biergarten in Bavaria or going to cafés in the "hip", "Bohemian" quarters of Trastevere, speaking to locals in Beijing about the "Fengshui" of the Imperial Palace or going around tapas crawls in Andalucia- the experience would simply not had been the same without making an effort to speak their own language about fascinating aspects of other cultures such as food, religion, history and politics! I am proud to say that learning languages has enabled me to appreciate their culture in a different light, widening your horizon without such a language barrier.
So let's not be disheartened by ridiculous cliches about how the useless it is to learn Czech because "nobody speaks it" or how "German sound rather too barbaric for my liking", carpe diem and learn a language today! (such a cheesy ending).
Best,
Marcus
P.S.- Sorry about the lack of posts regarding my recent travels, but I am a bit too occupied trying to prepare for Michaelmas 2013. I shall upload them very soon!
P.P.S.- Sorry about the incoherence and spelling mistakes in this post; I am trying out a new dictation software which allows me to quickly type up a post! :)
