To learn a new language or not to…that is the oh so important question

14 Jul To learn a new language or not to…that is the oh so important question

I’ve always known that I have a gift for easily picking up languages, partly due to the fact that I grew up speaking Afrikaans (yes, in the township) because of my mom, Sepedi which my dad spoke as well as English, because I read all the Reader’s Digest books, I could lay my hands on ☺. 

It was rather confusing to balance all these languages, with some rather funny incidents where I used all three in one sentence!

I also learnt how to speak Xitsonga, influenced by my late friend Ms Brigitte Mashaba. When she passed, I could no longer speak the language because it was too emotional for me, as it always reminded me that I could not speak it with her in particular. I am at a place now, where I want to relearn the language because it’s a beautiful African language with even more beautiful expressions.

Right now, I am at a point where I am learning Spanish ( for the past four years, don’t judge…) I found myself having to drop my lessons because of the interventions of life and work. I however never gave up on my dream and kept it alive.

I am currently studying via @Colegio Español and actively set out time in my diary to do so every week, even though there are time clashes, I keep those at a minimum. I am now at a point where my online classes with my lecturer are 90% in Spanish, where I even giggle at his jokes!

Why would I encourage you to learn a new language? Firstly, when you are travelling internationally and you are the only one who speaks 30% of the beautiful Spanish language, you instantly become a sage where wisdom is constantly sought on how to hail a taxi or even order Cerveza!

Why am I writing this article? I guess it’s my Saturday ritual to pen my thoughts and share what I feel is important. 

What do you have to lose, let me put it in context: its one year of learning a new language or one year of not learning a language.

Next stop for me is either learning Portuguese ( because of Bennie McCarthy’s fluent use of the language ☺) or French.

I will always remember this quote by President Mandela: “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”

In the meantime, if you are looking for reliable translation services reach out to us up via our LinkedIn page @mashobaneadvisory or www.mashobane.com or send us a message on info@mashobaneadvisory.co.za 

Feliz fin de semana!