On the occasion of the European Day of Languages on the 26th September, members of the SEA-EU Team at Kiel University reflect on what languages mean to them and give you seven reasons to learn a new language.
By Rosemary Wilson
A language exchange changed my life. I came to Germany on an Erasmus exchange as part of my university degree. Keen to explore and experience this new country to the fullest using my finely honed language skills, I quickly realised I was very poorly equipped to understand, well, much of anything really. But I threw myself at the challenge, immersing myself in the language and culture as much as I could. I attended as many language courses as I could manage, insisted on speaking German to anyone who was patient enough to listen, and spent the vacations travelling with new friends to their home towns. After about six months I was pretty fluent, I had made some friends for life, and Germany had become my home. Now over 20 years later, I’m still here. I still make lazy grammar mistakes, I still struggle with understanding in challenging contexts, but it’s all part of who I am. Learning a language is about so much more than being able to say a few extra words.
1. A key to a new world
Speaking a second language fluently may be unusual for an English-speaking Brit, but it’s the norm for many in Europe and across the globe. My SEA-EU colleague Katrin Käis who grew up in Estonia speaks at least four languages fluently – English, German, Estonian and Russian – although over the years she’s learnt many more (Finnish, Swedish, Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Hindi, Portuguese, Chinese and more?). “For me a language is a key to open a door,” she says. “Coming from a small country, being able to speak other languages meant I could communicate with neighbouring communities as well as family members who lived abroad. Language skills essentially open up a world of job and travel opportunities”. Being able to speak several languages has become an integral part of her personal and career path. Fostering and protecting multilinguism, a term referring to multiple languages being spoken in any given region, is indeed a policy priority of the EU. Language learning is seen as an integral element of education and life-long learning, leading to personal fulfilment, improved job opportunities, and increased cultural understanding, inclusion and social cohesion. There are 24 official languages in the EU, so take your pick! My son tells me that being bilingual he has access to a whole other world of culture, music, and books that he might not otherwise have had. After all, streaming services, ebooks and podcasts make it easy to access and consume foreign films and books. Dive into a new world with a new language.
2. Develop intercultural competence
I’ve been fortunate to work in international teams my entire career. In fact, it’s so normal to me, I’m often perplexed when others don’t have that experience. In the SEA-EU Office at Kiel University we generally communicate in “Denglish”, often hopping between English and German mid-sentence. In the team, our collective knowledge of languages and cultures helps us build bridges and connect with our Alliance partners. “Through languages you create an awareness of nuances and style of communicating in other cultures,” Jonathan Durgadoo, head of the SEA-EU office, told me when I asked him for his perspective. It’s understanding that British English is very indirect, disguising dismissive remarks behind seemingly polite phrases, while our southern colleagues can in contrast seem brash and direct. It’s understanding that the same word will have different meaning and weight in different cultural contexts, and cultural differences in societal structure will influence communication styles. “Much of our work is about building trust so that we can collaborate and establish new projects and links, and for that intercultural competence is so important,” says Jonathan, who, born and raised in Mauritius, speaks at least four languages fluently, and has lived in three different countries. It’s not easy of course. Being confronted by communication styles that feel unnatural or confusing can be jarring, but in engaging with other cultures through language, you can develop empathy and understanding for others outside your own sphere, and reflect on your own biases and perspectives. “Intercultural competence is a cornerstone for our Alliance, and I believe a key component of upholding connection and democratic values across Europe for a resilient future.”
3. Create connection
Katrin has always deemed it important to learn some language basics before travelling to a new country. “Languages are tools that help you create real connection,” she says. “If you can communicate with locals, it gives you a completely different travel experience.” Another member of our team, Deborah Hincapie Perilla, tells me growing up she was inspired by her grandfather who always made an effort to learn a few words of another language visiting other countries as a mark of respect and interest. I’m reminded that after I came to Germany my grandmother, then probably in her 70s, started taking German lessons. Children of the last World War, my grandparents had no love for my new Heimat, and yet, through her love for me, she stepped over that threshold and persevered for many years learning the language. I can still see her standing in a pastry shop in Göttingen when she came to visit me, determinedly talking to a server in slow, clumsy German. The lady stood patiently listening, smiling and correcting her; pride at her accomplishment lighting up my granny’s face. “Mistakes are not important” Katrin reminds me. “Never be ashamed of speaking any language. People generally really appreciate it if you make an effort to communicate in their language.”
4. Understand regional history and heritage
Deborah who speaks German, English, French and Swedish fluently, and has a working knowledge of Norwegian and Spanish, has worked in French, Swedish and German language contexts. She says working and speaking across languages and borders really makes you aware of a shared history. “You see how languages are related and have a shared history, and as a consequence, how we are all connected,” she says. I also am fascinated about being able to piece together new languages based on my existing knowledge – building on German and English to learn Swedish for example. “Yes, we have borders between us, but ultimately, they are arbitrary” continues Deborah. “We are connected across Europe, sharing much more than divides us.”
Growing up in Wales, my first foreign language was Welsh. While I was aware that Breton, spoken in Brittany in France, is closely related to Welsh, I’ll admit I didn’t appreciate why. On a recent trip to our Alliance partner in Brest, I put the pieces together. Pushed steadily westwards by the Anglo Saxons in the 4th and 9th Century, the Celts fled to France and established communities there, bringing their Celtic language and culture with them. Moving around Brest this summer I was fascinated that I could read and understand Breton language town signs with my dusty knowledge of Welsh and see the connections between linguistic elements such as numbers and every day greetings.
5. An act of defiance
Welsh and Breton were suppressed and their use outlawed for centuries by other governing powers, to the point that the languages are classed as endangered today. It’s a story familiar to many areas, and one not relegated to history. Political agendas, changes in societal structures and demographics, colonialism, migration and the climate crisis mean that we are losing by some estimates around 5000 languages worldwide per year, a rate that is faster than in all of our history. You might argue, so what? Speaking a common language makes things simpler, but a language is closely entwined with your cultural context and upbringing, it is part of your identity. Reducing everything to a handful of languages would rid us of a rich tapestry of cultures and perspectives that make our world resilient and interesting. There are considerable efforts to revive languages such as Welsh and Breton, with investment in school classes and regional visibility, but other languages don’t necessarily get the political support and celebration needed. Even here in Schleswig-Holstein a number of recognised minority languages are regarded as vulnerable or endangered by UNESCO. So, help preserve our cultural heritage and learn a language with a small speaker base like South Jutlandic or North Frisian. Learning minority languages promotes inclusion and empowerment of marginalised communities, and maybe you’ll feel closer to the history of your region too.
6. No, AI is not the answer
When all’s said and done, why not just use AI to quickly translate a piece of text, or learn some phrases with that little green bird? These can all help, but connecting with people, making mistakes together, slowing down, immersing yourself in another culture – that is what helps you learn a language, gain a sense of appreciation and empathy for other peoples and cultures. No AI tool can teach you the nuances, inside jokes, trending slang words that make up a language. It can be a useful resource and aid, but will never replace the connection and cultural understanding you get from talking to others, and living and experiencing a language together.
7. Brain health
Finally, if for no other reason, do it for your health. Studies have shown that learning and using a second (third) language can keep your brain flexible, reduce the risk of Alzheimers’ and slow mental decline. So? What’s stopping you?!
