Worldwide, there is a thriving aspiration to learn a language outside of one’s native tongue. In The United States, however, such a sentiment is practically non-existent. The expectations that Americans hold for themselves to be multilingual, multicultural beings are quickly diminishing. Our ignorance to outside cultures and the languages they speak, on the other hand, is snowballing out of control.

Americans often have an underlying presumption that the entire world speaks English.

“Wait a minute — the entire world doesn’t speak English?”

No! There are 8.4 billion people in the world and only 1,500 million English-speakers. 375 million of those English-speakers are native to the English language.

Meaning, only 5.6 percent of the world speaks English as their primary language.

Americans’ widespread expectation that our surrounding cultures are English-speaking often leads to a sense of ‘monolingual pride.’ Perhaps, we even have a sense of pride in the idea that it is non-essential to be multilingual.

Creating the idea that speaking English alone is satisfying is creating a self-imposed limit. Sure, it is ‘non-essential’ for an American to be multilingual. To live, eat, and breathe, you do not need to speak any languages at all.

But learning languages outside of your native tongue leads to endless advantages. A new language is an open door for opportunities. A further understanding of the world and more extensive thinking abilities are both distinguishing qualities that coincide with multilingualism.

Not convinced? Here are five reasons you should become multilingual.

1. You’ll Enter A World Full of New Job Opportunities

Being multilingual is a factor that makes a resume pop! Besides, you know you’ve always wanted to be that 'on business' traveler.

2. Be More Culture-Sensitive

You’ll be more understanding, and less ignorant, of other cultures by understanding their native-tongue.

3. Communicate with Family Members

Ugh, you can’t understand your Guatemalan in-laws? No más! Learn Spanish and you’ll be good to go.

4. Better Memory and Brain Activity

Studies show that multilingual people have better memory at older-ages than those who are monolingual.

5. Improve Your English

Wait, improve your English by learning a language that’s not English? Yes! Learning foreign grammar complexities will challenge your English grammar for the first time since high school.

As the world around us masters English as a second language, it is quite possible that the U.S. is slowly isolating itself from the globalized world and secluding itself to monolingual pompousness. Be the change. Start speaking the language that you’ve always wanted to learn!

Mercí

Gracías!

Do Jeh

Grazie

Danke Sehr

Arigato!

~Thank you~