Language brings along people’s culture, tradition and ethnic background wherever it is intended to be used. Language can travel from place to place. Wherever there are people, there will be language. Unlike subjects like Mathematics, History, Science, Economics or Geography, Language cannot depend on theories to formulate our path to success in our lives.
When a person does not speak his mother tongue at all, seldom do we pass judgements on his lack of education. There are several other reasons why someone cannot speak his mother tongue.
1. He is adopted by parents who speak a different language.
2. His parents do not speak the native language at home to him on a regular basis.
3. He is brought in an environment where the locals do not speak his native tongue.
4. He has not studied the native language at school.
Therefore it is always possible to understand a person when he says he is not bilingual or multilingual. However, if the person does not do well in Mathematics, History, Science or Geography in school, he is bound to be judged differently. One of the reasons can be that he is not academically inclined.
The true nature of language learning does not depend on books. It is one of those things, (and I prefer to refer it as things to make it sound as simplistic as possible) which make us sound well educated because he can articulate his words well when he speaks ( e.g.singer,radio announcer). It is one of those things which can make us feel appreciated because we listen well and can look after the lives of others (e,g doctors, nurses, firemen, teachers)
The true nature of language learning depends only on one of four functions:
1. reading
2. listening
3. writing and
4. speaking.
People who are Good Readers may be:
Teachers
Newsreaders
Radio announcers
Voice-over talents
Telemarketing officers
Speakers
Trainers
Postmen
Standup Comedians
Actors and Actresses
Stock Merchandisers
People who are Good Listeners may be:
Farmers
Teachers
Parents
Sound Engineers
Singers
Member of a band
Member of an orchestra
Insurance agents
Lawyers
Judges
Receptionists
Principals
Plumbers
Electricians
Archeologists
Construction workers
People who are Good Writers may be:
Novelists
Authors
Editors
Journalists
Copywriters
Advertisers
Managers
Accountant
Lawyers
Story Tellers
Scriptwriters
People who are Good Speakers may be:
Trainers
Public Speakers
Teachers
Telemarketing Officers
Receptionists
Salesmen
Master of ceremony
Deejays
Of course, to become a lawyer, we have to have the right academic qualifications. But that is beside the point. Learning language can be a lifelong learning process that does not depend on our ability or inability to study. It truly relies on our ability to perform one of these four functions: write, read, speak and listen. And the fact is, we already possess the natural potential to perform it. So why wait? Go learn another language if you have always wanted to.
