Foreign language proficiency has an enormous number of advantages, from memory improvement to confidence in conversations with foreigners. It is a useful tool, which can be helpful for every person. In addition, it is important to understand that language skills are needed almost everywhere nowadays. Even if the person does not travel at all, he might face the trouble of translation of some journal or newspaper article. As modern technologies are developing rapidly, people have access to various translators. However, they are still not perfect; and foreign language proficiency is almost always required for modern life.
The tendency of traveling is observed in recent decades; even though the situation with the pandemic is still here, people manage to find a way to go abroad due to the opening borders. How usually the person gets ready for the trip? If he has chosen a warm country, he thinks of appropriate clothes, sunglasses and thinks over traveling routes. A similar situation is with cold countries; the person ponders equipment, for example, skis or skates.
The choice of a good hotel is also a significant matter. However, people tend to think that they will be understood in a foreign country. For instance, many resorts implemented policies of one of the most popular languages, namely English. In most cases, hotel, tour, and medical staffs understand the English language. However, what if a person asks a local? There is quite a small chance of the fact that a local inhabitant will grasp this language. Thus, the tourist will use dictionaries, translation apps, or explain using “sign language.” That is why multilingual people take advantage of understanding other languages during their journeys.
In fact, if the person has ever taught a foreign language, he can make the basics of another language out. Indeed, it is almost impossible to know all languages perfectly. Nevertheless, it becomes simpler to grasp some key features and constructions when familiar with at least one foreign language. One more advantage of multilingualism is that it helps to dive into the local culture of the country. It is exceedingly memorable to communicate with native citizens because it might expand one’s mindset. Excursions and tours provide a superficial overview of the local life, so being multilingual extends cultural boundaries and allows to uncover countries’ features.
Another advantage of foreign language proficiency is the possibility of establishing connections. It is always interesting to approach new people, and multilingualism may help meet and communicate with foreigners. Even though the journey is over, it is still possible to talk to new friends using messengers. What is especially curious is that people from various countries might have different opinions on the same thing. Communicating and even debating with the foreigner will improve a person’s mindset.
One more essential thing for a multilingual is understanding and expressing their thoughts towards foreign people. There are many differences in the description of things in various languages. For example, in the Japanese language, there are several counting systems. In English, people use “one” for everything to denote a singular number. Japanese people apply other counting methods for each thing. Moreover, various languages contain different numbers of colors in their vocabulary. For instance, some languages have only two or three colors to describe things. Therefore, it will cause misunderstanding when describing things using various colors unknown to foreigners. Thus, it is helpful to understand multiple languages to comprehend other cultures.
To sum up, multilingualism is extremely useful for people. With knowledge of foreign languages, life in the contemporary developing society is more manageable. For travelers, journeys are amusing and enjoyable, and people’s lives turn much more interesting. It becomes possible to make new friends, dive into another culture and its features, and extend own way of thinking. Overall, foreign language proficiency gives many various advantages for everybody.