Australia is a nation of literally hundreds of languages, and yet the average Australian is speaker of just one lonely language… English.
In a world heavily influenced by western culture, English has become a language demanded of virtually every country. But as a monolingual myself, I question how much I’m missing out on being limited to just English.
As a U.S. citizen I feel a common bond with Aussies who have grown up never having to worry about a language barrier. Although approximately 80 per cent of Australians grow up in English speaking homes and Australian schools don’t require a second language, Australians (and other English monolinguals) get by due to the rest of the world’s dedication to being multilingual.
Yes indeed, English speakers are living on easy street and with the rest of the world bending over backwards to accommodate our language deficit, you have to question why a second language is necessary.
Well for starters: it can get you a job, take you to a foreign country, even find you a partner!
Being bilingual is beneficial in so many departments of our lives. Having another language on your resume boosts your chances of getting a job. It also allows you to study in a foreign country… furthering your cultural awareness, giving you international connections, and perhaps even assisting you in meeting someone special ;).
Speaking multiple languages enriches our lives – it takes us to another level of awareness and comprehension.
I imagine understanding another language would be like revisiting a movie from childhood. When you pop it in again as an older and more experienced person you realise all the intricacies you missed as a kid. It could be a joke that was beyond your comprehension or a life event that you had yet to experience.
It’s funny, when uneducated or inexperienced, how many things can pass us by.
Basically, learning a language allows you to experience the world more completely. It’s an eye-opener that allows you to see what’s always been there, to experience and understand all the culture that weaves its way into life.
So, why are developed and economically secure nations like ours so devastatingly behind the rest of the world when it comes to language?
According to Melbourne professor Michael Clyde there are heaps of excuses we’ve come up with to answer this question. For example...
One idea we like to promote is that there simply isn’t time in the day for language study at school. Not a very valid argument considering so many other countries manage to make it a priority.
Here’s an interesting fact
…Did you know that in Finland ALL students throughout schooling learn three languages. Nearly half of them go on to learn a fourth language and a third of students take on a fifth!
Unbelievable. And here we sit, the ‘just English’ crowd, barely able to order at Taco Bell.
But it’s not all about us; we need to think about them! A friend of mine from the Netherlands expressed her frustration with monolingual westerners – ‘It’s not fair,’ she said, ‘why does everybody have to know their language.’ I asked her if she thought it should be compulsory for westerners to learn a second language … ‘YES.’
Agreed.
So is English enough?
Yes…in the sense that one Tim-Tam is enough! To all of you who join me in the ‘just English’ bunch, let’s do ourselves and the rest of the world a favour and trade in our mono prefix for one that reads multi, because multilingualism is sure to make you rich, if not in work or love, then certainly in life.
If you're keen to learn a language visit these sites to get started.
Tips for learning languages:
http://www.omniglot.com/language/index.htm
How do I know this?
Clyne, Michael, 2007,‘Don't let languages languish,’ The Australian, 24 January http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au
Gordon, Raymond G., Jr. (ed.), 2005. Ethnologue: Languages of the World, Fifteenth edition. Dallas, Tex.: SIL International. Online version: http://www.ethnologue.com//.
Slattery, Luke, 2007, 'A blinkered approach to languages,' The Australian, 7 November http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au
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© 2008. First published on actnow.com.au
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