4 Self-Help Benefits of Learning a New Language
Either die with respect or live with fear.
Steve Kaufmann has inspired millions of people for a variety of reasons. Some are:
- His linguistic skills
- Knowledge
- Wealth
- Healthy lifestyle
His life reminds me of a quote I read in 4 Hour Work-Week:
“People don’t want to be millionaires; they want to experience what they think only millionaires can buy.”
Meaning: being rich or broke comes with its own consequences and advantages.
My mother once told me:
Your life is short. Go for things that multiply your output twofold.
She’s right.
From that day, I pledged to learn new languages. I already know and can speak:
- Hindi
- Urdu
- English
- Arabic (little)
All the above are my native languages.
However, this is not enough. Before applying for a Turkish visa, I promised myself to learn their language. Why? My grandparents were Middle Eastern.
Though I have inherited nothing in features, I can speak accurately to the pronunciation mark.
(Point to be noted: My biological parents gave me away, so I have never embraced the Middle Eastern side of me).
I care about this topic deeply — so let’s explore 4 valuable benefits of learning a new language now!
1. You get a lot of appraisals
Duolingo helped me to learn Turkish.
But before that, I knew quite a few sentences and vocabulary. Learning wasn’t *hard* for me.
I practiced speaking in front of people and allowed them to correct my mistakes with a big fat smile.
A person traveling anywhere in the world should know if he/she is traveling to:
- Behave like a tourist
- Or behave like a local
If it’s local, then you gotta learn their language.
2. You are eligible for discounts
I couldn’t make perfect sentences.
But I know quite some vocabulary.
Some people were quite happy to see me speak Turkish. For that reason, they offered me free items and handsome discounts.
- No, I didn’t ask for it.
Most people even encouraged me to speak with them in Turkish. All I had to say was “Ne Kadar” instead of “How much for this,” and they were ready to bestow their whole shop on me.
Maybe that’s the power of speaking a language of a proud country.
3. You feel happy
I arrived at the airport alone.
My husband came from Canada, and his flight came in later.
- For at least 8–9 hours, I was alone in Istanbul.
When learning Turkish, I told myself I was learning languages out of concerns for safety — for self-defense.
But let me tell you: that was just an excuse.
I wanted to feel happy, like a local. I didn’t want the awkwardness of that tourist life — I wanted to be welcome and comfortable.
(Put in the work. Broaden your knowledge. Maybe you’ll find a new home.)
4. You can call a variety of places your home
We lived for almost a month in Turkey.
A few things have changed in between.
Before: At first, we were highly optimistic about eating from big fancy restaurants because we could afford it.
After: But as we reached Konya, something changed, starting from inside of our hearts.
We got sick of the glamour. We no longer wanted to feel tourist-y — we wanted to feel local.
I knew 60% Turkish, and in Konya, my husband started speaking it too.
By the time we reached Izmir and lived there for 5 days, we ate from the same diner, went to the same Konak seaside, and shopped at the same Kemeralti Bazar as everyone who lives there.
It was like we built a home.
Final thoughts:
For most people, linguistic skills are a waste of time.
Maybe that’s why they only have one or two places to call home. One or two families to call their own.
For me, now, my family and my home just got bigger.
And now, I promised myself:
“I won’t visit that country if I can’t learn their language.”
Because money can’t buy you respect, language does.
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