Does speaking different languages help you much in life?

Question

I personally study languages in my university in Indonesia. Sometimes i happen to think if it is so important to know many languages. Will they really help me in life by learning them? Will i really get lost in somewhere whose language i know well already?

Answer 1

It certainly makes a major difference in the way that you see things in life.

Learning a foreign language is like learning to walk again. It builds self confidence and allows for many experiences in life that would otherwise be impossible.

Reading a good book, for example, in the original text will give a whole new light to the work. Translation, as you well know, are only an image of the work through a foggy haze.

Another great example, is the ability to communicate with other people. It is a near must in business today, to be able to work in the language of the buyer. English is slowly losing its domination of the world business sector. This will allow you to find work much more easily, especially if you are looking for work abroad, or with an Anglophone corporation.

Hope that this helps.

Answer 2

Learning a language is a start to understanding another culture and is always a good thing.

I am a bit older and can get by in English, French and Spanish. Unfortunately, I am past the age where picking up a new language is easy or where learning a new alphabet system is practical. Do it while you are young and it will stick with you as long as you periodically practice.

Answer 3

I can easily say that you're 18 to 20 years old.

You have to be good at people. You need to be a smooth talker and be able to build relationships with people. Make a lot of friends etc. So that you can get people to do things for you and help you when the time comes. That's how you can be very successful in life.

Different languages won't be a big help. Because most of us live all our lives in selected areas of the world. So we generally have to deal with people who speak the same language.

But if you have to deal with people who speak different language, then definitely that would be good for you.

Why did I say what I did about your age? Because I thought you would have known that much if you were experienced enough in life. You're not as yet, but you'll learn. I'm not trying to belittle you, just telling you some of my experience.

Answer 4

I have been lost in Japan. I have been trying to find a store which sells books in Mexico, also eyeglasses and several other items. I have been able to order meals in Japan, Mexico, and even in a couple restaurants in the US where English was not spoken. I once worked in a place where German was spoken and nobody wpuld speak to me in English. I was almost mugged once, until I spoke to the perpetrator in his own language, but I will not tell you what I said.
Everywhere I have been, the local people seemed pleased that I could speak even a couple words of their language. It was a good way to make friends.
I agree with you completely!

Answer 5

You don't have to get lost, you find people who speak a different language everywhere. Some people enjoy hearing their native language spoken by someone of different origin

Answer 6

In my opinion it is a benefit to know the languages that are spoken in the area that you live. Therefore you may communicate to all without difficulty and your career is never limited.

Answer 7

I live in México and I import good from china for lingerie garments, I know english and it helps me lots, otherwise I wouldn´t even be answering your question.

Good luck! ;D