Getting Lost In Translation | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Getting Lost In Translation

The benefits of learning a foreign language.

30
Getting Lost In Translation
theeducationcafe.files.wordpress.com

Recently, a friend of mine told me he would not be signing up for Spanish again next semester. He complained that it was too hard, took up too much of his time and followed on the assumption that everyone must eventually learn English so there was no need. Most public secondary school systems require at least two years of foreign language instruction to graduate; for some, this is the extent of their foreign language education.

I took a moment to reflect on what five years of French has meant to me, and did a little bit of research on what knowledge of a foreign language can mean for the rest of the world.

First, it actually can improve your employment chances and provide economic benefits. According to The Economist, while half the world’s population may speak English by 2050, "even a 2 percent annual 'salary premium' can result in 6-digit returns in retirement."

This is not all. A study at the University of Chicago has proven bilingualism promotes long-term decision making, and removes an individual's tendency for "loss aversion," that is, it lessens the focus on the present to process decisions that may provide benefits in the long term. In addition, a psychological study determined that on average, children studying foreign languages perform better on standardized tests in math, reading and vocabulary than children who are monolingual.

All these scientific studies aside, however, there is something else about learning another language that goes quite unnoticed. It provides no monetary or cerebral benefit, but perhaps an emotional one. For those of you who have never studied another language, you only express your thoughts and your feelings in your first language, naturally. But one of the most fascinating things about foreign languages is their ability to express things in a way you never have.

Take this translation in French, for example. The English “I miss you” is “tu me manques.” Our French-to-English translation says it means “I miss you,” but if you take this phrase apart, it literally translates to “you are missing from me.” This distinction is so powerful; isn’t it true that when you miss someone, it is more accurate to say they are missing from you? As if they are a piece of you that isn’t present anymore? To hear expression in these different ways just makes humanity better able to relate to itself.

Learning a language other than your native tongue will mean more fulfilling travel experiences, more books to read, more knowledge to gain, more people to meet and more friends to make. Whether you place value on your future salary or your potential for cultural immersion, knowledge of a foreign language might very well be your most meaningful asset.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Relationships

10 Facts All People In A Large Family Can Confirm During The Holiday Season

The holiday season can be the best and most stressful time of the year, especially when more people are involved.

59
kids jumping

The holidays are full of lights, sweets, sweaters, and your favorite movies. There's nothing quite like this period from the beginning of December through January. Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Years. The fun of it all.

I don't know about you but with my large Italian family something is always going on during this season. It can be the most wonderful time of the year while also being the most hectic. These are a few things you know if your family is anything like mine during this time.

Keep Reading...Show less
10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over
reference.com

To those who celebrate, you just spent an entire day cooking an elaborate meal with all of your favorite foods. You probably ate your body weight in pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes. What happens now? Oh yea, Christmas. It’s time to take out all of the decorations and Christmas themed things that have been sitting in the attic since last year; it’s time to make a reappearance. So, here are 10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

3555
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

2164
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

201490
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments