I started my tryst with foreign languages quite young. I started learning French and Japanese at the same time, which probably shaped my cultural sensibilities, fashioned my psyche and developed my personality. Oriental and occidental ideas jostled in my mind, confusing me, enriching me and educating me.
So why learn another language as long as you can get through life communicating with one language?
The joys of learning are many...
1) If you are a practical person who looks at the bottom line in life, learning a language adds value to your resume and will add some color to your life. Now of all times, in a global environment, you can't afford to be monolingually arrogant. Communication is a vital pre-requisite for any kind of smooth business.
2) If you are a culture vulture, you would enjoy the vistas that a new language will open doors to. Imagine getting to know a new culture, a new art to appreciate or rather getting to know familiar art in a more intimate way. If you learnt Italian,you could read the titles of paintings without any need to dip into an English guidebook...If you learnt French, you could rattle off the dishes you wish to order off a menu and finally impress the snobbish maitre'd of that fancy French restaurant you frequent (unless of course, he's just pretending to be French and snobbish)!!
3) If you are a bibliophile, say goodbye to shoddy and watered-down translations. No more need you despair of so many English writers' pretentious need to slip in foreign words. Get ready to indulge in an entire library of books. Reread the classics in their original language and life will never be the same again!
4) If you are a total foodie and adore exploring the tastes of the world, open your eyes (or rather mouth) to the luscious delicacies of sushi, bouillabaisse or creamy fondue. Resuscitate your jaded palate with the nuances of wines, cheeses and chocolate, all particular to a region.
5) If you love music and dance, you can feast your appetite on a galaxy of rhythyms and beats!! Now you will actually know what pas de deux means or shake to the beat of an infectious salsa! Rhumba or samba is no more staid ballroom dancing but exciting and fun.
And since I am a mix of all the above, I would say I have had a lot of fun in my trysts with languages!!
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
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