The Importance of Language

The+Importance+of+Language

Written by: Olivia Hood

The Importance of Language

With around 7,000 in practice around the globe, language shapes the very way that the world works. From regional dialects to globally spoken tongues, the written and spoken word ebbs and flows in many beautiful directions. And what makes the linguistic practice so prevalent is that these languages are as useful and beneficial, as they are beautiful. 

With clarity, the most obvious benefit of learning languages is the bridge that it builds between different people across the world. By understanding a dialect of a different region, or regions, one now has the ability to communicate with a whole new community of people, which contributes to the overall sentiment of global connectedness. Whether it be for business, relocation, or simply travel, learning the practiced language not only is a demonstration of respect, but will aid in connection, as people value the effort. 

Learning a new language, or several, not only connects one with the world, but improves mental performance in tandem. Middlebury Language School shares that linguistic expansion improves memory, enhances multitasking competency, and improves performance in other academic areas of study. These results are attributed to the skills utilized in the actual language learning process, since it involves increased levels of mental performance, specifically in memory, and the assimilation of whole new sets of information and rules.

Whether one is looking for a challenge, or an easier language to learn, there are a number of languages offered to learn. This can be done in a more formal way, via academic classes or structures, or in a personal exploration, through personal study with the assistance of language learning programs. A few of these self-sufficient programs include; Duolingo, Rosetta Stone, and Babbel, while it may be necessary to utilize multiple, as they offer different levels of difficulty. 

Regardless of motivation or choice of study, learning another language of the world is beneficial to all, and contributes to making the world a more interconnected, respectful, and educated place.

If you are looking for potential languages to learn check out some of the easiest and hardest languages for native english speakers to learn below. 

 

Easiest Languages to Learn for Native English Speakers (courtesy of Berlitz)- 

  1. Frisian
  2. Dutch
  3. Norwegian
  4. Spanish
  5. Portuguese
  6. Italian
  7. French
  8. Swedish 
  9. Romanian
  10. Danish

 

Hardest Languages to Learn for Native English Speakers (courtesy of Berlitz)- 

  1. Hungarian
  2. Bulgarian
  3. Serbian
  4. Albanian
  5. Turkish
  6. Farsi
  7. Greek
  8. Russian
  9. Hindi
  10. Vietnamese