Let's face it: there is a huge difference between those who were required by their school to take a language class for a year or two, and those who are running full-force towards multilingualism. Language majors have a unique journey, both academically and generally speaking. Even though learning a new language can be incredibly difficult, it is one of the most rewarding and satisfying endeavors a person can take on. That being said, here are 15 things most (if not all) language majors experience:
1. Constant Anxiety That You're "Losing Your Touch"
When you hear someone in a store speaking another language, you're afraid it's yours and you just don't understand them. Then you listen closer, and realize it's a completely different language. Whew! I thought I lost it for a second!
2. Not Getting Lost In Translation
There are so many amazing books and songs out there that you can now experience to the fullest. I am truly sorry for everyone who cannot read Saint-Exupery's original French text in Le Petit Prince. Any language student will tell you that a translation will never completely do the original work justice.
3. Worrying About Being Replaced By Technology
There is a device out there that will automatically translate between two conversationalists as they speak in their native languages. Why do I even study? When everyone can download an app on their phone to automatically translate any text that it reads, it makes you feel a little useless.
4. Laughing At Hilariously Incorrect Google Translations
Oh yeah, that's why I'm still necessary. Google and other translation apps often take things way too literally, and cannot distinguish accents very well. As a human being and not a machine, we can understand things like figurative language and find equivalent expressions, and not just translate everything word-for-word.
5. A Sense Of Empathy
As a language major, it really grates me when I hear people say "they're in America now, they need to speak English!" Let me ask you: have you every seriously tried to learn another language? It's hard! And it takes time. I've been studying French for about eight years and I still don't always get feminine and masculine nouns right and mess up articles. It's frustrating, and assuming that people still speak their native language out of laziness is insensitive and ignorant.
6. The Pure Joy Of Speaking
Or, maybe they can speak English and just happen to be having a conversation with a friend or family member in another language. Why? Because it's fun! Unless you can have a conversation in another language, it's impossible to explain. If I could have a friend to have French conversations with me all the time, you bet I would!
7. Choosing Words Carefully
Now that you have more words to choose from, you often do so very carefully. Language students think about the nuances and different connotations of words to find what best suits what they are trying to express. This occurs both in the foreign language, and can carry over to the native language.
8. General Knowledge Of Another Culture
Language can convey a lot about a culture. Language majors usually study the culture as well as the grammar, and it leads to a better understanding of someone other than themselves. Gaining appreciation for another culture is something we need desperately in today's world.
9. The Pains Of Another Alphabet
Some languages use other letters or even other alphabets that have no English equivalents. Even accent marks start to really pile up after a while. But language majors will not be deterred!
10. The Pains Of Phonetics
Pronunciation is a pain at first. You feel like you're finally starting to understand the language a little when you read and write, and then you try talking out loud and you realize it's a garbled mess. Then, after many years of practice, you're giving a presentation in class and for a second you hear yourself; truly hear yourself. It sounds beautiful, flowing and natural, and you're doing it all yourself. When did this happen?! You made it happen. And that's something to be proud of.
11. Complete Disillusionment With Exams
Any kind of foreign language "test" never seems like a true indicator of abilities. The people in the audio files speak at twice the speed of a normal human, and there's no way to ask them to slow down. You know how to ask for clarification; isn't that what really counts? You may have trouble recounting the history of the conquistadors in your Spanish presentation, but you can discuss your favorite band at length in Spanish without skipping a beat. It never seems fair. Exams just leave us all sweaty, nervous and full of self-doubt.
12. Trying Not To Switch Back-And-Forth
Some words and expressions just seem to flow better. I often have to check myself and refrain from saying parce que in the middle of my English conversation and say because. Or why would I want to say with when avec flows so much better? And when you do accidentally switch between languages in conversations, you apologize out loud but secretly cheer yourself on in your head.
13. Learning All The Curse Words First
What's the first thing you do when you learn a new language? Obviously look up all the swear words. We all did it.
14. Accidentally Saying Something Horribly Inappropriate
"I'm so horny for vacation!" said every French student ever. "I'm sorry I don't speak well in public, I'm just a little pregnant" said every Spanish student ever. Even though you looked up all the swears first, you will say something horribly dirty by accident. Stupid false cognates!
15. Getting Annoyed When People Tell You Should Learn A Different Language
"Okay, but don't you think Spanish, Chinese or Arabic would be more useful?" "Okay but I chose German/Latin/French/Hebrew because I like it." It might surprise you, but I'm not learning a language just to make money in the future. I chose my language because I love it and feel connected to it. Also why don't you learn Chinese then?
