Learning a new language has a huge impact on us, at both intellectual and philosophical levels. When we learn a new language it increases our ability to empathise with others and their cultures, whilst broadening our own worldview.
Language is what we use to communicate as advanced animals: it’s the paradigm of our modern intelligence. Our connection with language is biologically ingrained in us and is also very personal. Increasing our language skills in our own language obviously enhances our ability to communicate, but it’s only when you begin to learn a foreign language, that you can see how it can affect your understanding of yourself and the world around you.
Of course, the road to language fluency is long and winding, but as you start getting better, you really feel your understanding of other cultures grow. You gain a deeper cultural understanding that isn’t easy to express, and even when you begin to learn another language it may just remind you that the big wide world out there is diverse, rich and beautiful, which is amazing in itself.
Connecting ourselves to other cultures helps us experience the world as it is – a hugely diverse place composed of many, many different approaches to life itself. There is tremendous satisfaction in ‘solving’ the questions we may have about the world and certainly, learning a foreign language can expand some of these.
A new language can help you understand your own culture
Heightening your understanding of yourself and your worldview greatly depends on expanding your worldview. Knowledge of how you have come to be and why certain cultures exist in their current state, can greatly expand our view on the world in ways that weren’t previously obvious.
The deep philosophical value of language has been considered for thousands of years, and having an insight into this will help you understand yourself and your own culture. Culture is the soul of a country and its identity. Language is its instrument and through learning about culture, you’ll get a better picture of the other. For example, European language learners will quickly realise the astounding cultural diversity that comes with Europe’s set of Romance language and how the differences between them underpin the cultural differences between countries themselves. This interconnectedness of the people and languages between neighbouring regions is incredibly interesting. Through this, your grasp on your own cultural heritage will tighten.
A new language can help you understand your interests
Many of us will have wondered around and considered a new interest, searching for some inspiration. Learning a new language is definitely an inspiring process and can help you discover interests that are entirely new and unexpected or perhaps, were once considered and forgotten.
A language can help you align to something new in life. Perhaps you always loved the idea of Greek island life, those sapphire waters, and the white washed buildings. Learning the Greek language can really help you embrace this intrigue, connecting you to the people and the culture whilst simultaneously stimulating your interests.
For travellers, a language can really improve your cultural flexibility, assisting you in connecting to locals, communicating with them to express mutual opinions and emotions. Spanish and Portuguese learners may have a great interest in how Latin Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese changed in South America and Brazil, compared to their original European roots. For those who love history, learning the language of your favourite historical culture can greatly enhance this interest.
Learning a foreign language helps us feel connected
The connective power of language is one of the most unifying influences for humans. Though in our native languages we are probably dextrous and fluent, experiencing this power through others is a new dimension of learning and understanding.
Being to identify with different cultures through their language is a privilege and being able to communicate with more people worldwide is a tremendous ability that will make you feel proud of your own culture, whilst making you proud to be a member of Planet Earth, living alongside its huge array of cultures and societies.
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