What it is like to be Bilingual

How does it feel to be able to speak fluently in two languages? Well, a person who
speaks two languages is bilingual. Practically everyone has an opinion about the advantages and
inconveniences of being bilingual. Nonetheless, the advantages tend to outweigh the
disadvantages.
To begin with, speaking two languages has personal and social benefits. Bilinguals can
communicate with different people, of different cultures in different countries. These individuals,
therefore, have the opportunity to participate in the global community in more ways. They are
more likely to have friends from foreign countries and hence get exposure to different ideas.
Rudolf Steiner a famous pedagogue says, “Each language says the world in its own way.” By
listening to people from other cultures, one would further have the opportunity to develop his/her
own way of thinking. With a developed way of thinking, they are able to reduce cultural
ignorance. Moreover, current research shows that people who use more than one language
appear better at blocking out irrelevant information, a benefit that may exist as early as seven
months of age. This, therefore, suppresses prejudice and stereotypes that are a common feature
among monolinguals.
Learning two languages proves to be cheaper in the long run. Bilinguals find it easy to
live in a multilingual society. It is easier for them to understand the various languages used in
such an environment. This saves a lot of time. It further saves them the cost of employing a
translator. Imagine taking a vacation in Paris from the United States as a monolingual, how
would be the feeling? It is obvious that you will find it so difficult to communicate with the
locals unless you employ a translator or unless you find other English-speaking locals. In
addition, even if you found those who speak English you would still feel sidelined when they
start communicating among themselves in French. The situation would be different for a
bilingual with both English and French understanding.
Bilingualism gives more job opportunities and greater social mobility. Businesses such as
Coca-Cola operate globally, serving customers who speak different languages. With this
diversity, it would be more economical for the firm to employ a bilingual who would be able to
communicate with customers than a monolingual. “Globally, bilingual and bi-literate adults have
more job opportunities than monolingual adults.” (Zelasko & Antunez, 2000). Companies prefer
customer feedback. Global companies will most likely receive feedback from their customers all
over the world. For such a company, an employee who understands the most number of
languages would be a valuable resource. In light of the foregoing, global companies offer
interpretation jobs to those who qualify. Such a job opening would only benefit a bilingual or
multilingual person.
In countries like United States, India and Europe where natives speak multiple
languages, the bilingual would stand better chances of employment than those who only speak
one language. Markets in metropolitan towns usually attract individuals from various
backgrounds. Communication would be difficult had every individual stuck to knowing and
understanding a single language. Bilinguals find it easy to communicate and hence end up with
better terms and values for their products compared to monolinguals.
 Research also shows that, compared to their non-bilingual peers, bilingual people have an
easier time learning other languages. (Jessner, 2008). A study carried out by professors at the
University of Haifa found that “students who know two languages would have an easier time
gaining command of a third language than would students who are fluent in only one language.”
(ScienceDaily, 2011). Not only might the new language be linked to one that you already know,
hence facilitating its learning, but the more the mind learns about the workings of different
aspects of language, the more it can help with a new language. The more languages a person
learns the easier it gets to communicate with people from different parts of the world.
The bilinguals are resourceful in situations that require translations. The communities,
therefore, adore them. Can you imagine what will happen if in your local church, school or
mosque you receive a group of visitors who only communicate in their Italian language? Your
guess is as good as mine is; there would be no communication unless a translator is brought in.
Bilinguals may offer these services freely or at a fee. Their presence is, therefore, very essential
as far as communication is concerned. To them, this might not only give financial gains but also
raise a sense of self-worth.
Nevertheless, bilinguals encounter various challenges and inconveniences in their life.
Some of these may include confusion, prejudice and discrimination. It is not uncommon for
bilinguals to start a sentence in one language and finish in another. Further, a bilingual person
can make mistakes in both languages and confuse the grammatical structure of the two
languages. (Bradford, 2004). Emotional imbalances would worsen this confusion.
Bilingualism is commonly associated with wisdom. Therefore, society perceives them to
be learned and informed. This may subject them to unfair treatment in society. A friend, who is
fluent in both English and Italian, once narrated to me how he felt misjudged by his peers who
insisted that he tell them about the political state of Italy just because he could speak Italian.
Failure to bow to the demands of the society brands the bilinguals as mean.
Consequently, bilinguals have to learn to live with people who keep asking them to
translate things. A request that might be interesting at first; later when they realize that you can
do it easily, they keep coming with more and more things to be translated. Funnily, sometimes
they do not tell you what to translate but insist that you tell them something in your first
language. This can at times deny one an opportunity to attend to personal things.
In conclusion, the life of a bilingual person is interesting. These people enjoy the benefits
of interacting with more friends, learning different cultures and ways of life. Moreover, they
have better employment opportunities than their monolingual counterparts. With globalization
taking centre stage, having a grasp of more than one language is important.
References

Zelasko, N., & Antunez, B. (2000). If your child learns in two languages. National
Clearinghouse for Bilingual Education. Retrieved from http://www.ncela.gwu.
edu/files/uploads/9/IfYourChild LearnsInTwoLangs_English.pdf

Jessner, U. (2008). Teaching third languages: Findings, trends, and challenges. Université de
Lausanne. doi:10.1017/S0261444807004739

The University of Haifa, “Bilinguals find it easier to learn a third language.” ScienceDaily.
ScienceDaily, 1 February 2011. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110201110915.htm

Bradford, S. (2004). Advantages & Disadvantages of Bilingualism. BBC News- Health: Being
Bilingual “Protects Brain”. Retrieved September 23, 2021, from
http://www.ehow.com/info_8169984_advantages_disadvantages_bilingualism.html