Dear Reader,
At the very beginning of writing this piece, can you please let me know whether you are a multilingual person? I am not sure of your answer. However, the world is indeed yours if the answer is in the positive. The next related question is how many languages can you speak comfortably? Say 1, 2, 3, 4 or more?
By the way, please make it clear whether you are multilingual or bilingual or monolingual. Whatever answer you may have, I shall revert to you. In the meantime, let’s have a quick look at the advantages of being a multilingual person. But first of all, what is multilingualism?
Being multilingual has several advantages. Scientific research says a multilingual person is more brainy and brawny. Multilingualism enables a person to become familiar with diverse cultures, views, opinions—gain the first-hand experience of all. You can quickly adjust yourself anywhere in the world provided that you have specific skills, coupled with multilingualism.
Translation may be an option in certain cases. But then, experiencing the flavour of the original source is usually no match to the translation. Watching something with naked eyes, reading something in the original and understanding someone or something in the original language leaves an indelible imprint on our minds.
No doubt, you can translate a word into a specific word in another language. But can you translate the emotions of others unless you have hands-on experience? You are at liberty to argue differently. But what I hold is that it is unarguably difficult to translate emotions into a different language.
It is more enjoyable and convenient when you know the language someone expresses themselves in. If you wish to feel and appreciate what the world’s greatest dramatist, William Shakespeare put in writing centuries ago, you need to master English to the extent of understanding him. There will be an absolute killing of the joy of reading if you tend to read a translated version of Shakespeare’s works.
Further, there are chances that a translator may misinterpret what Shakespeare or any other poet, playwright or author, had said through his literary works. So it is advisable to know about him and his works first hand. Mastering the English language is the best option for you to appreciate the world to its fullest.
Being a resident of India, you naturally have to be multilingual in the light of the fact that the Government of India passed the Official Language Act in 1963 through which every educated citizen is expected to know at least three languages—one of them being your mother tongue that you learn from your mom, dad and your family. Second, any other Indian language such as Hindi or any other regional language. Third, English, which is mandatory when it comes to passing the 10th Board exams. Remarkably, if you are going to write competitive examinations for any decent jobs, qualifying an English test is compulsory as a ladder to the next step.
There is a strong logic behind this parody in the country. India, which is a multilingual society, has as many as 1652 languages and dialects in practice. It is naturally impossible for one to know all these languages. This is the reason that the government has aptly formulated the Three Language Formula for smooth transaction and communication in the length and breadth of the country. This is also crucial for national integration, connectivity, development, prosperity and overall bonding.
English plays a pivotal role in bridging communication gaps. Most of the countries in the world are monolingual, whereas India is a multilingual social order. Indians, in my opinion, are a brainy and brawny lot, simply because they are multilingual. They are going places for their skills.
A monolingual person may have a set of 25,000 words as an average for his communication. But then a multilingual person stocks multiple thousands of words, say 75,000 words for a tri-lingual person. By that token, it is apparent that a multilingual person’s brain has a bigger ROM/RAM. Hence, take pride in saying that you are a native of India and you are multilingual.
Go multilingual, if you aren’t already. Equip yourself to enjoy the beauty of languages!