Now let's talk a little bit about language itself. But what is language exactly? A true "language" can mean many different things. For instance, what is the difference between a language and a dialect? Is there a difference? Some linguists say yes, others say no. According to a linguistics professor at U.C. Berkeley, "A language is a dialect with an army and a navy." A language is a form of communication shared between two or more individuals. There is a mutual understanding between them. This is the simplest way to define a language. But what about dialects? Each language that is commonly understood may have different dialects, but can still be understood between individuals. For example, English and Chinese are two different languages, however, Mandarin is a Chinese dialect. What do you think?
Furthermore, not only is a language a form of communication between two or more individuals, it also represents an individual, and is tied into his or her identity, heritage, and culture. It is of course a very important aspect to any individual, but is it the most important aspect? Is is the only element and characteristic that determines our ethnicity? Our culture? Or is it merely one key aspect that makes up and identifies an individual?
But language doesn't just stop at defining our culture and the way we communicate, does it? What about body language? That is a unique language of its own, isn't it? And body language can also differ between cultures and ethnic backgrounds. And what about the way we hear and interpret language? This is another difference that sets a part cultures from one another, and can even create controversy, particularly between individuals from two different ethnicities, or for individuals whose mother language is one language but may have grown up in a completely different region or country altogether. How does that individual identify with a particular form of language?
So what if you spend International Mother Language day devoting to learning a new language? You could do that. In fact, some tips to learn and master a new language could include making the commitment to learning how to say one new phrase each day. This could be a fun exercise that will eventually lead to gaining a basic to intermediate understanding of another language. Over time, vocabulary, pronunciation, and sentence structure will improve.
Install a handy dandy language app on your phone or mobile device. You can refer to it whenever you want to look up a word or phrase to add it to your daily vocabulary. Even if you spend five to ten minutes each day using your app, you will be surprised how much you learn over time. Another fun exercise to take on to attempt to learn a new language could be to listen or watch a TV channel, Pandora channel, or YouTube channel in another language. You may not understand each and every word, especially right off the bat, but over time you will also gain an understanding for your desired language.
Remember, if you spent a little time each day "doing your homework", whether that's studying your app, watching TV in another language, or even practice writing and speaking to a friend, you will absolutely gain an understanding and fluency over time. A good rule of thumb is if you start dreaming in another language, you have reached the fluent level.
All in all, take some time today to think about multiculturalism and diversity, your own culture and mother language, or a language that you desire to learn. Tune into the Spanish channel, read an article in another language (or see what you can pick up from it, if you are still a beginner...) and don't forget to Tweet in your mother language!
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Written content: © 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010 J.H. Language Solutions
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