4 Reasons to Learn Foreign Language
English is becoming the most popular language in the world. When we can communicate in one language why bother to learn a new language? Language channels the thought. John McWhorter said different languages will give difference experiences. For example, the word for table in Spanish and French is marked as feminine. As opposite to it, English speakers wouldn’t think table can pitch high voice. Although language is not able to change the way of thinking, learning a foreign language is the ticket to be integrated the culture of people who speak them. Speaking bilingually, you probably are a better multi-tasker. To add on, He believed learning language is an awful fun, such as conjugation, and word order. For example, in English, “Do you know where he was?” In Chinese, “I did where him find?” Last but not least, learning language is so easy that you do not have to go to class. You can just take out the computer and open Rosetta Stone.
I agree on McWhorter’s first point that learning a foreign language can let you participate into the culture. Most American I believe know about Chinese culture through various news and articles, and most of them are written in English. However, they never had the feeling of how the culture is differently than their. For example, Americans often curse after sneezing. Chinese never said “excuse me” after sneezing. It is not that Chinese people are rude but because it is the way the culture teaches them. Speaking another language can channel our thoughts with another culture.
However, I partially disagree with author that learning language is easy. Because of the fast spread of internet, many urban words are formed, which most of them can not be found in Rosetta Stone. For example, Trump’s new tweeter post: “Covfefe.” This word means “I will stay strong.” If the person doesn’t know the meaning how he or she understands what is going on in the US. Most American sees culture are traditional, but they haven’t seen the new culture of China. For example, there is a very popular sticker added in Wechat called “Pipishrimp.” If the person does not know where this word is come from, how this person is going to laugh at it.
