There Is No Reason Not To Learn A Language
67Learning a language is one of the most enriching things you can do. Being able to understand and communicate with people from other cultures can open your eyes to new concepts, ways of life, and opporotunities.
Those who say they are too lazy to learn a language are missing out on a whole world outside of the box they are accustomed to.
I am fluent in Japanese and am beginner level in Mandarin Chinese, Norwegian, Korean, French, and Vietnamese. I've met so many wonderful people through language exchange and in life's daily events that I can't even imagine what it's like to not either speak or dabble in other languages besides one's own.
On that note, I live with my Vietnamese boyfriend and I have met so many Vietnamese people who were eager to help me learn their language and take delight in that I want to understand them. When you make an effort towards trying to understand others, they want to understand you. How could understanding someone different from you and learning from them be a bad thing?
Okay Seriously, No Downsides?
Okay seriously, there is one downside to learning a language, and it's a pretty wide-spanning one:
Learning a language is hard.
Some languages are more difficult than others for English speakers, but no matter how closely related or similar they are, learning a language takes a lot of dedication and effort. Not hard work per se, but definitely some effort.
Each language has its own characteristics that separate it from others, even if they're similar.
For example, Vietnamese and Chinese (Cantonese). While roughly 70 to 75 percent of Vietnamese vocabulary is borrowed from Chinese and they are both monosyllabic, the languages are nowhere near interchangeable. Vietnamese has different tones and sounds from Chinese and slightly different grammatical rules. And so while the languages are similar, they both take effort for both sets of speakers to learn the other language.
The same can be said of English and Norwegian or Swedish -- the two languages said to be the easiest for English speakers. "Jeg snakke engelsk" doesn't sound or look much like "I speak English" or "I am speaking English", but it means both.
To get truly fluent in a language it is reccommended you dedicate 30 minutes a day to studying one way or another, and to some that is just too much of a bother.
30 Minutes A Day? No Thanks.
Well it's fine if you don't want to learn a language because it will take some of your time and a little thought. A lot of people feel that way. But really, why miss out on all of the new options available to you in life just by broadening your horizons?
Learning a new language is time consuming and in many cases difficult, but what in life that's worth knowing or doing doesn't take some effort on your part? Think about that next time you hear someone speaking in another language.
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Yes I agree Learning a new language is time consuming and in many cases difficult
A friend of mine is learning Japanese, and from what she he says, it's a tough one..
You made some great points. Learning a new language is a lot of fun and has a lot of great benefits, but it is also a lot of work. That doesn't mean it has to be boring, but you have to put in time. It is important to make sure you are dedicated to studying and are studying for the right reasons!
I agree learning a new language takes a lot of effort. I've found the 30 minutes a day idea really is the best way. Some study, little and often, mixed in with conversing with someone fluent in the language at least a few times a week is a must.
Learning other languages is truly rewarding. Also, once you become bilingual, learning more languages become an easier task.
Yes I agree ;)If you have a time, can you look at my hub Language and tell me what you think?
Since we have topic in common.
Also I know 13 languages e.g. Japanese, Chinese, Russian etc. I am just wondering what you think about what I wrote.
Thanks.
You have a great HUB !
Honestly, I think dieting is harder than learning a new language. LOL. That little input each day is needed. Some people need more, some less. But once you get into the rhythm (and get over any shyness), the rest comes naturally. Thanks for a great hub!
Learning a language can be difficult, well but the whole thing sounds interesting also, especially when you immerse into the target language. It helps in learning it better
I believe motivation is the key to learning a new language. I happen to be in the perfect position for new lives and languages every few years as my husband has to change country every 5/10 years for his work and I made the decision from the beginning to go with him. I am Irish so speak English and Gaelic and studied French and Latin in school so my French is fluent now and with Latin as a base, I learned Spanish and Italian quite easily when I spent time in Spain and Italy. I then lived in the Netherlands without a word of Dutch so after a beginners course, I entered the Dutch world of voluntary workers and within months, I was speaking the language fluently. After years there, we moved back to Ireland which is of course home. We are now based in Luxembourg but I come back and forth to our home in Ireland as our adult children live here. I am studying German now and love it. I enjoy grammar - its like doing crosswords or sudoko - there is a method and once you master it, its fun. Even when there are no rules to follow, managing to master the language is such a good feeling. It also follows that the more languages you learn, the easier it is to learn another! I am 51 and have lived in many countries and will continue to move for the next 12 years at least. I find I have a much broader view on life than most of my Irish friends and family. This truly comes from living and speaking in many tongues.
LowellWriter 3 years ago
I agree with you. Thank you for answering my request! :o)