Summary

The article discusses the personal experiences and insights of a multilingual individual who shares the common questions they receive about language proficiency, usage, and learning.

Abstract

The author of the article, a multilingual person fluent in four languages, provides a glimpse into the frequently asked questions they encounter regarding their language abilities. These questions range from the language in which they dream to the languages used at home, the inclusion of language skills in a CV, and methods for learning new languages. The author emphasizes the value of multilingualism as an asset in various aspects of life, including career opportunities and cultural connections. They also offer practical advice for language learning, stressing the importance of immersion, practice, and patience, while acknowledging the challenges and rewards of the process.

Opinions

The author believes that multilingualism is a skill acquired through learning and practice, not a measure of intelligence or special ability.
They advocate for the inclusion of language proficiency in job applications, suggesting honesty about current skill levels and the intention to improve.
The author suggests that there is no one-size-fits-all method for language learning; personal preference and enjoyment play a significant role.
They express a desire to achieve fluency in Italian, indicating a personal interest in the language and culture.
The author maintains that watching local news in different languages helps maintain language proficiency.
They note that while switching between languages can sometimes be challenging, previous knowledge of a language is never lost and can be reactivated with exposure and practice.
The author's advice for language learners is to start without waiting for the "right time," to be patient with the learning process, and to enjoy the journey of learning, including making mistakes and correcting them.

The Questions I Get As A Multilingual Person

A quickie look inside my left side of the brain!

Photo by The Creative Exchange on Unsplash

“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head.

If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”

Nelson Mandela

I wasn’t always a multilingual person. As a matter of fact, I was born in a home with one main language and a dialect that my mother speaks. Earlier in life I grew up developing the use of two languages. This has enabled me to learn new languages efficiently.

As of today, I am able to speak and write in four languages. It’s not something that I think about, per se. I don’t identify myself as being more clever or special. To me, it is a skill that I have learned (learning still!), studied and attained.

I understand, though, how people can be curious about such a thing; the makings of a multilingual person, or what it might be like to be able to speak words other than your mother tongue.

I have gotten some questions from people about it. I thought I’d share the most asked ones with you today.

1.) In which language do you dream?

This is a question that made me pause the first time I was asked. I had to think of the last dream I had and in what language it was. Most times I dream in Icelandic, and in other times I dream in English.

2.) Which language do you use at home?

I get this question a lot. The majority of people who ask me this question are internationals.

My husband is an Icelander. We communicate in Icelandic but I speak a lot in English as it comes very natural to me. When my mother is around, I speak our mother tongue of Filipino, or Tagalog as it is often called.

3.) When writing a CV, do you list the languages you know?

Yes, absolutely! Being multilingual is an asset and should be added in a CV and motivational letter. How else would they know unless you tell them?

I would add, however, the levels of proficiency in speaking and writing. It’s ok to be truthful but add that you are learning to get better.

4.) What is the best way to learn a new language?

There is no straight line in learning a new language. I had to find a way that worked for me while enjoying it at the same time. My method is different from other people. My husband, who learned Danish found singing along Danish songs the easiest way for him. But for me, I learned faster through engaging with the locals and pushing myself to speak despite knowing very little.

5.) Is there another language you’d love to learn?

I would love to learn Italian.I can speak the very basic but would love to be able to speak and write fluently. I love Italian people and their culture. I have only been in the South and fell in love with The Amalfi Coast. It’s a place I’d like to visit often.

6.) Do you watch the local news?

I just found out that a lot of people have stopped watching the live news. In my house, we still turn on the news at 18:30. So yes, we see the local live Icelandic news. Sometimes we tune in to the Danish station to see what is going on over the pond. And during the morning, I watch a little bit of news from Asia.

7.) Do your global friends write to you in English?

This depends on who they are, really. Most of my international friends write to me in English. But a couple of friends write in their native language which is good for me as it allows me to continue to practice in that language.

8.) How is it that you learned these languages?

I grew up in a bilingual environment. Both my parents are from The Philippines. The country speaks mainly in Tagalog and English. When I was 16 we moved to Iceland. I learned Icelandic here. Later on, I decided to go to university in Denmark. I learned to speak and write Danish there. I also worked some years in Denmark which helped my language development.

9.) Do you find it easy to switch between languages?

Sometimes, yes. Even though I can speak multiple languages, there are times when I get ‘stuck’. Because I don’t speak the languages simultaneously, some of them get fuzzy in time. The wonderful thing with having learned a language is, that you can always come back to it anytime. And when you expose yourself to it, say you go to travel in that country, the fluency comes back. It’s really like riding a bike most times!

10.) What is the best advice that you can give to someone who wants to learn a new language?

If learning a new language is something that you would really like to be good at (no need for perfection, remember this!), then I suggest that you go for it! Learning a new language is a rewarding skill. If you love to travel to the same place then learning the language could be a fun project for you. If you have been thinking about it for some time, I suggest to just get started. There is no right time. Begin now.

It is worth knowing, though that it takes time to be fluent. Be patient and don’t give up. Keep on learning, asking, practicing and growing your language vocabulary. The process is not easy, but the rewards of being able to communicate in another language is both rewarding and joyful. Enjoy the course of failing and correcting yourself. Don’t overthink and just enjoy.