Bhargavi Das
According to some literary sources Language is the method of human communication, either spoken or written, consisting of the use of words in a structured and conventional way. Seven continents, 195 countries and approximately seven billion people in the world but can one think of how many languages are spoken all over the world? According to some sources there are almost 6909 distinct languages (2009). People from the different corners of the world speak a variety of languages. In earlier days people used to consider other languages except their own mother tongues as foreign languages. But with the passage of time things began to change and people started to be keen on learning new languages and communicate with other people in the world. Hence it can be state here that language was a barrier in proper communication with the different people of the world. And there came the presence of translators and linguists as connectors, mediators and a network of proper communication.
Multilingualism is the natural potential available to every normal human being rather than an unusual exception: “Given the appropriate environment, two languages are as normal as two lungs” (Cook 2002:23). In this 21st century, to be a multilinguist is of great benefits. Speaking multiple languages opens up ones mind as just like our body the brain gets healthier and active with continued usage of different languages at a time. Psychology today says multilingual people have an easier time coming up with creative problem-solving techniques than monolinguals. It takes a lot of memory to remember just one language, So it’s no surprise that multilingual speakers have a better working memory than monolingual ones.
Being a multilinguist also has great importance for society. Multilingualism can create job opportunities and help one navigate the world. In todays world there is a lot more opportunities for linguists in different spheres of life. Moreover when you speak someone's native language, you can talk about a lot more than the weather and other daily fillers. Building deep and meaningful relationships with foreign communities usually involves speaking and understanding, partially at least, the same language. It also enhance the personality of one person and makes them smarter and confident enough in their daily life to have conversation with people. Me being a multi linguist can obviously make a difference in society. I can be a translator, a mediator to many who cannot speak a particular language which I can. Being a translators doesn’t only mean translating books and literary items from one language to another. It is something more than that.
On connecting language skills with citizen journalism we can say that language skills provides the community with a different perspective. It also plays an important role in helping to get local citizens more engaged in the issues affecting their lives. Knowing different language skills makes it possible for citizen journalist to make it possible the coverage of events that the mainstream media might otherwise miss. Language skills are utmost important to carry out grass root journalism being a citizen journalist. If one can speak the local language of that area information is easy to gather from the people in order to complete the news coverage.
Thus it can be said that language plays an utmost important role in this 21st century and being a multilinguists comes with great responsibilities and powers to work as a connector, translators, mediators as well as coordinated networking web in the whole world.
Profile Link: http://modlingua.com/interns/418-bhargavi-das-french-translator-assam.html
Writer Bhargavi Das is German, French and Spanish Language and Translation Intern at Modlingua, India's No1. certified translation and Language service providers based in New Delhi
