As you go about learning a language that is foreign to you, you will undoubtedly experience frustration time and again as pronunciations and subtle nuances get you tongue tied and pretty much boggled at the way native speakers react to your attempts. Still, learning a new language is always worth it because in the end every new language you learn frees you in more ways than one. So whether you choose to study Thai, French, Mandarin, or even Klingon, you can bet that it will benefit you the following ways:
Freedom to communicate – The most practical benefit that learning a new language brings is that it allows you to communicate more freely with other people. Whether you plan on using your communication skills for your business or to woo love interest, the important thing is that being able to converse in the same language will help (but not always ensure!) that you understand each other. Of course the language of the group of people (or the person) you need to communicate with will determine which language you need to study.
Freedom to appreciate – Learning a new language will allow you to appreciate things in a deeper level. For example, with books, even if you’ve read the translation, certain nuances and the natural cadence of the words will make the “same old story” seem like a new revelation and will be a completely different experience when read in its original language. Of course, when it comes to songs, we also know that while enjoying the beat is all well and good, the lyrics is what gives it the meat. So if you want to be able to appreciate more things in the world, learning more (than one) language is the way to go.
Freedom to empathise – 42-902 As you gain the ability to communicate in a new language you will not only learn to appreciate the language itself , but inevitably grow in understanding of the people and culture behind it. This leads to more empathy as you understand the strengths, weaknesses, and beauty that is present in each culture.
Freedom to think – Every new language you learn is another tool in your arsenal as an educated human being. It frees you to think in different ways 350-001 and reason more systematically as it opens you to new horizons. The new experiences that a new language can bring can help change your though pattern or at least consciously think and reason in a similar thought pattern that once was foreign (and impossible) to you. The different language constructs also exercises your brain and forces you to think differently so that even if you don’t get to really experience a new culture, the language skill itself will already make you think in new ways!
Hopefully the list above will inspire you to learn a new language and see you through all the many exercises that you need to go through if you are to learn Thai or any other language for that matter.
Image via Brett Jordan