The Advantages of Learning Languages

Some linguists agree with the theory stating that when we are born we are actually capable of uttering the sounds of all known languages, thus being theoretically able to speak them all. While we grow and learn, we limit ourselves to one single language: our mother tongue, and we forget all the rest. Some of us try to compensate this by learning languages,
but some will die knowing only one. The latter category has a lot to lose, as the advantages of knowing a foreign language are manifold.

When looking for a job, an extra language can make the difference between your getting the job or not. Nowadays, the majority of jobs require the knowledge a foreign language. Working for a multinational company will make you feel handicapped without an extra language, much needed in the multiple tasks that you have to accomplish. Plus, your job might require contacting via email or directly people who do not speak your language; so, not knowing their language or a commonly known language would create difficulties. Consequently, learning another language is almost a compulsory requirement for a white collar job.

Knowing a different language from your mother tongue will give you access to a brand new culture. According to an old saying, your value as an individual increases by the number of languages you know, because together with the language, you also acquire a different culture, a different mentality and a new way of life. Each language has its specificities and each nation is different. Experiencing all these can expand your boundaries in many ways. Also, when visiting a country, speaking a foreign language (preferably the one spoken in that country) will help you discover more and get a more comprehensive perspective on the new things and places that you see, or the people you meet.

The knowledge of one language besides your own will also give you access to newspapers, magazines, films and texts in that particular language. In addition, you can do research in that language, surf the Internet in a different language or read the texts of great writers in the original - you will be amazed to see how much from the original text can be lost in translation.

In conclusion, learning languages definitely has a lot of pluses and the best time to learn a language is while you are still young.

Nora Zavalczki works for Lingo24 Translation Services, the best provider of Translation in London.

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