Kidibone Wanyane
October 1st, 2024Kidibone Wanyane
October 1st, 2024
Are You in Need of Motivation to Learn a New Language?
You may have come to the right blog article. This article looks at all the great benefits that polyglots enjoy. We also outline some of the popular languages to learn. Let’s get to it!
What is a Multilingual Person?
A multilingual person, also referred to as a polyglot, is a person who speaks more than one language. This person has learned and maintained one language from birth, also referred to as the mother tongue.
The learning of new languages can be for fun, academic requirements, and professional purposes. Polyglots do not just know multiple languages; they usually also use those languages for various reasons.
The Benefits of Multilingualism
1. Enhanced Communication Skills
Exposure to multilingual settings enhances openness to multiple perspectives. This in turn makes multilingual people better communicators because they are open to accepting different views. Moreover, multilingualism heightens linguistic recognition. Multilingual people can recognize different languages, sounds, and language nuances that not everyone can pick up. Polyglots are generally confident and this can be traced back to their linguistic abilities. When you are confident in your speech and language abilities, you become a better communicator. Multilingual people enjoy the benefits of easily adapting to new cultures and different social settings because of their ability to be sensitive and receptive to different cultures.
2. Mind Development
Multilingualism enhances cognitive abilities which creates a sharp mind. Most multilingual people have a heightened decision-making ability. Because of the nature of polyglots to accept new and different perspectives, they generally hold executive functioning skills with multiple perspectives. Multilingual people are said to have a sharp memory. In addition, they have an openness and enhanced ability to learn more languages.
3. Better Networking Skills
Naturally, when you learn a language, you also learn the cultural nuances and connotations of that language. This is the reason polyglots are usually easy to get along with. They hold different cultural views and are willing to accept the different viewpoints that cultures have about the world. Because of this, polyglots bring in their knowledge of different cultures when socializing or networking with different people. This cultural knowledge gives multilingual people an advantage in reaching out and being accepted by different cultural groups. Multilingualism is an added benefit when traveling. You can easily socialize with people you meet on your journey. It becomes easier for you to understand and enjoy the culture of the place you are visiting.
4. Employability
Multilingualism increases career opportunities. In this interconnected economy, being multilingual is a total flex. It can give you an upper hand in job applications, especially if you are seeking to enter the global workforce. Companies hire multilingual people to attract and maintain global clients. It is proven that culture informs a way of life, including business life. When clients are dealing with someone who knows, understands, and respects their language and culture, they are most likely going to be confident and willing to start and maintain a long-lasting business relationship. There are also multiple jobs that multilingual people can do that no one can. You can work as a translator, a copywriter, and even an interpreter.
5. Multitasking
Well, to be a multi-something you must be able to multitask. It is believed that multilingual people can multitask more than monolingual people. Multilingualism requires a person to often switch from one language to another. This exercise involves thinking in one language, then translating it into the intended language, and subsequently delivering your speech. This is a stressful exercise that multilingual people have mastered and not only in speech but in life generally.
Looking to Learn a New Language?
It is entirely up to you which language you want to learn. But, below is a list of the top 5 popular languages that people are learning as a second or additional language.
Top 5 Popular Languages to Learn
Arabic
Arabic is the fifth most spoken language in the world spoken by over 300 million people worldwide. The Middle Eastern economy and influence are growing at a very rapid speed. Most business and political leaders speak only Arabic in the Middle East. This means there is great business, political, and employment opportunities for Arabic multilingual speakers.
Mandarin
Mandarin is the official language of China. It is not a secret that China is becoming a business and economic superpower of the 21st Century. Learning the Chinese language will be highly beneficial to young professionals and business people. According to an article by Big Language Solutions, Mandarin is on the list of the most important languages to learn. In addition, they assert that the demand for companies to hire executives who can speak Mandarin has increased by 35% over recent years.
Spanish
Spanish is one of the most popular languages to learn. Most people choose Spanish as a second language. Of course, that’s because it is an official language in over 20 countries. It is also featured in many popular multimedia productions. If you have dreams of traveling the world, chances are there will be Spanish speakers wherever you land.
German
German is one of the three official languages in Germany. The German language is vast and can be divided into mini-groups. This language is also a high contributor to academia through research. Europe holds a very competitive and powerful economy in the world. Thus, for people seeking career opportunities in Europe, learning the German language will be an added advantage. Like English, German is quite widely spoken.
French
French is the second most spoken language in Europe. It is well-known for being the language of music and the arts. It is also referred to as a language of romance.
Depending on your career goals, French is an essential language to learn especially for the Arts industry.
Conclusion
This blog post has highlighted the importance and benefits of being multilingual. There are many benefits to being a polyglot. These benefits can enhance your cognitive, social, academic, and professional life. In this global economy, multilingualism offers an advantage that monolingual speakers do not have. Multilingual people are in high demand in global companies and political spaces. We offered you popular language options to choose from as an additional language to learn with brief reasons why they are ideal. It is up to you now to make a choice that works for you!
You can also view some of Hanatutor’s popular languages to learn and peruse through to see the best tutors for those languages.
Happy Learning!