by Anishametra Saravanan 

Est-ce que tu parles français? O español? Atau Bahasa Melayu?  

Whether you’re expanding your horizons or simply up for the challenge of learning something new, learning a new language can open the doors to many new opportunities. While acquiring a new language can improve your career prospects and exposure to new cultures, research has suggested that speaking another language has the ability to unlock intellectual potential and may even build your cognitive abilities that could help with your work performance. Here are just a few of the upsides to learning a new language: 

  1. It helps improve your memory

Research evidence has shown that learning vocabulary boosts memory. This is because delving into another language makes you more mentally alert as you’re paying close attention to body language cues and listening for simple repetition. For example, in Polish, where the word “no” actually means “yes” or “yeah,” watching a Polish speaker say “no oczywiście!” with the intended body language can actually mean “of course!” 

  2. Being bilingual or a polyglot can make you a better multitasker

Bilingual speakers or polyglots have demonstrated an increased capacity for problem-solving skills as they use cognitive muscles to navigate multiple languages, helping them adept at task-juggling. The Chinese might say those who learn to speak in other languages –  脚踏实地 (jiǎo tà shí dì) , or “step on solid ground,” a Chinese idiom which means those who stick to the basics have a disadvantage. 

  3. Learning other languages encourages cultural appreciation

Knowing a new language may contribute to greater understanding and tolerance of people with various backgrounds due to the exposure to a variety of cultures. Some studies have shown that there is a correlation between being bilingual and having a more positive outlook on life. As the French say “avoir la pêche”, which translates to “having a peach” but brings meaning of someone being “full of happiness”. 

4. Speaking another language can boost your creativity

One of the inevitable results of being well-versed in another language is the immersion of culture. The process of learning a new language can spark connections and shift paradigms within your own world. Being open to new people and cultures can help you see things differently, spark your creativity and as a result, fuel new ideas in your personal and work life! 

(Oh, and if you’re wondering what was asked in the beginning of the article; ‘Do you speak French? Or Spanish? Or Malay?’)  

Source:

Rosetta Stone