Speaking many languages has become more than simply a useful talent in an ever more connected world, it is a life changing experience that alters our personalities and perspectives. Although being bilingual frequently brings up concepts of open communication and cultural understanding, the truth is much more complicated than that. Gaining knowledge of this complex reality will improve your appreciation for the those who are able to speak another language of communication, regardless of whether you are a lifelong bilingual or are just starting out in learning a new language. 

I asked some of the students at OHS how it feels to be fluent in two languages and some of the experiences they’ve had with that. “I speak Spanish and English. I learned English when I entered elementary school in the US and I know Spanish because I was born and lived in Puerto Rico for seven years,” said Pamela Quiroz, a freshman at OHS.

Throughout the years, your first language could easily be forgotten. For many people who speak two languages, one might feel more comfortable or natural than the other. Exploring how this happens can help us understand how language affects the way we share our thoughts and feelings.

“I used to find it easier to express myself in Arabic as that is my first language. However, ever since I came to the US I got used to English and now that’s the language I usually speak so it’s easier for me now,” said Mariem Almazraawi, a freshman at OHS.

Reflecting on such moments can highlight the unique advantages that come with knowing more than one language, whether it’s connecting with others or navigating challenges. “I was at Wingstop and the employee didn’t know how to speak English so I talked to him in Spanish so he could understand me,” said Vanessa Castillo, a freshman at OHS.

Many people believe that knowing more than one language can open doors to new opportunities and experiences, making it a valuable skill in today’s world.”I know being bilingual will increase my chances of getting a good education and job as many colleges and companies nowadays look to spread diversity,” said Almazraawi. 

Exploring these feelings can reveal the important link between language and identity, showing how our cultural backgrounds shape our perspectives and experiences. “I feel connected to both cultures but mostly Albanian since I’ve grown up mostly around Albanian culture and learning it,” said Leona Cani, a freshman at OHS.

It’s not uncommon to come across people in multilingual cultures who switch between languages very easily. Understanding such an event can teach us a lot about language use thinking, social interactions and our cultural identities.“It’s a habit because I speak Spanish at home while outside of home I speak English and sometimes get my words twisted and accidentally speak “Spanglish,” said Quiroz. 

“What advice would you give to someone who is considering learning another language?” is a question that may come to mind when thinking about the process of learning a new language. Many techniques and ideas that can improve the language learning process are revealed by asking questions. “If I were to give advice to someone who is learning another language I would tell them to stay on track of their first language and not to forget it as that happened to me if they are a native speaker trying to learn English,” said Almazraawi.

“The advice I would give to someone who’s considering learning another language is to stay consistent with it and to learn the pronunciation of letters so it’s easier to read, write and pronounce since many languages have different alphabets,” said Cani. 

If you are someone who can speak more than one language, what advice would you give to those who are trying to learn another language? Tell us in the comments!