Reasons to Learn Italian

Why should you learn Italian? Here we imagine five stories, five lives, where studying Italian can make all the difference.

Jing, 25, is working as a sous-chef at an Italian restaurant in Cambridge. She fell in love with la cucina italiana during culinary school and is thrilled to be working in an authentic trattoria- the chef, manager, and two of the waiters are from Italy. Shouts of “li mortacci tua!” and “sbrigati!” ring through the kitchen throughout the busy dinner service, and she’d really like to understand what they’re saying- and maybe even contribute to the melee! She’s also interested in learning the origins behind food names and how to pronounce them correctly. It gives you a completely different perspective on food when you know that supplì al telefono are “telephone wires” and a pasta all’arrabbiata is an “angry pasta.”

Brother and sister Joey and Angela, 30 and 28 respectively, are from Revere and run a small beverage distribution company that’s been in their family for three generations, since the days that their grandparents Salvatore and Rosangela came to Boston from a small town in Sicily. The kids never showed much interest in learning the native language of their nonni, but all that changed when Nonna Rosa passed away. Seeing their Nonno Turi so alone made Joey and Angela realize how much they wanted to get closer to him and to their heritage. The most important phrase that they’ve learned so far in their Italian classes is one that they’ve heard a lot in their lives- “Ti voglio bene!”

Peter, 38, is a violinist and teaches music at a private school in Brookline. 20 years ago he moved to Boston to go to college here, and he hasn’t left since. He fell in love with the history of the city and its vibrant cultural life. He loves all types of music but has begun to develop a special fondness for Italian opera and never misses a show of the Boston Lyric Opera. As a musician he knows a lot of Italian words- forte, piano, allegro ma non troppo- and has even learned the meanings of many of his favorite arias- La donna è mobile, Una voce poco fa, Va pensiero- by heart. He is finally ready to take his knowledge of the language of music to the next level.

No less happy of his decision, and joining him in his classes, is Peter’s girlfriend, Alicia, 36, a lover of Italian Renaissance Art and frequent visitor to the Boston Museum of Fine Art. Fifteen years ago she went on a dream trip with two girlfriends to Florence and Rome, and spent three weeks soaking in the masterpieces of the Uffizi and the Musei Vaticani. Beyond the museum walls, from the street vendors outside the Duomo in Florence to the indolent ragazzi hanging out along the banks of the Tiber in Rome, the scenery was as interesting as any Caravaggio painting!  Alicia wishes that she could have communicated with the locals; but she’ll be ready next time- the not-too-distant future has a return trip to Italy in store for Peter and her.

Cesar, 55, started watching Italian movies 5 years ago when he saw La Vita E’ Bella at a friend’s house. For Cesar that day initiated a private Odyssey through the masterpieces of Italian cinema, beginning with some other works of Benigni- Johnny Stecchino and Non Ci Resta Che Piangere, and travelling on through Gabriele Muccino (L’Ultimo Bacio), Giuseppe Tornatore (Nuovo Cinema Paradiso), Pier Paolo Pasolini (Il Decameron), Francesco Rosi (Salvatore Giuliano) and Federico Fellini (La Dolce Vita), just to name a few. After having started Italian classes he has gone back to watch the movies again- and it has been the best thing that has happened to him since seeing La Vita E’ Bella for the first time!

The reasons to study Italian are these and many more. Italian is a language of music, art, cinema, fashion, cuisine, literature, poetry and philosophy, and it is the language of the 60 million residents of the Bel Paese and their diaspora all around the world. What’s your reason?

 

Reasons to Learn French

Reasons to Learn French

Learning French isn’t just about speaking another language; it’s also about discovering a rich and diverse culture. According to Language Today, there are roughly 75 million native French speakers and another 190 million people who speak French as a second language, which makes French the fifth most popular language in the world.

When you learn French, you’ll have access not only to the cultural legacy of France, but also to that of many other countries with large French-speaking populations including Haiti, Madagascar, Canada, and Switzerland. Additionally, French is an important language both for international business relations and for international diplomacy, and French fluency can provide you with a distinct advantage in an increasingly competitive job market.

Experience French Culture Here and Abroad

While Paris boasts an impressive collection of museums, world-famous restaurants, and stunning monuments, you don’t have to hop a plane to experience French culture and utilize your new-found language skills. From reading the menu in a French restaurant to watching a foreign film without the distractions of subtitles, French language skills will grant you access to a vast array of new and exciting cultural experiences in your own state or city. French cinema includes some of the most highly regarded foreign films ever produced, and French language films remain a vital part of the international film scene. Additionally, works of classic French literature in their original language are readily available from US-based online booksellers, and an increasingly large amount of classic French literature is available in popular eBook formats.

Of course, knowing French also gives you the opportunity to intimately experience a foreign culture when you do travel abroad. As a French speaker, you’ll be able to go off the beaten path on your next trip, experiencing France and other French-speaking countries in ways unavailable to tourists who have to work through an interpreter.

The Language of International Business and Diplomacy

French is one of the most common languages utilized in diplomacy and in European business settings. It is one of the six official languages of the United Nations and, along with English, is one of the two working languages at the UN Secretariat. French is also one of the official languages of the European Union.

While French language knowledge is advantageous in any profession that involves international business relations, it also opens up several unique careers. French language translators do invaluable work in publishing, public relations, government, tourism, and a host of other fields, and many speakers of French as a second language find work teaching English in French-speaking countries. Whether you are looking to grow your skill set in your current career or are trying to prepare yourself for a new one, French language knowledge will increase your appeal to employers.

People learn French for a variety of reasons: they want to broaden their cultural horizons, they want to gain a competitive advantage in their field, they want to be able to communicate with relatives or friends in their native language, or they simply want to experience the self-enrichment that comes alongside learning a new language. Whatever your motivation, I’m confident that you’ll find French language study to be a rewarding experience; chances are you’ll find benefits to your language knowledge that you’d never even expected.

Why Learn Another Language?

Why Learn Another Language?

In today’s international world, knowing a second or third language gives you an indispensable asset. There are various reasons for this, not least of which is that secondary languages make you more marketable. For instance, according to Forbes Magazine, becoming bilingual in German, Italian, Russian or Chinese translates to a 4% wage increase. Learning another language also strengthens your verbal aptitude, as studies have found that high school students who studied a second language showed superior SAT scores. In addition, being able to speak and understand a second language opens new doors for business opportunities, cultural activities, and friendships unhindered by any language barrier.

The advantages to speaking and understanding a second or even third language are clear:

• You      can expand your cultural horizons,      whether by reading classic literature in its original language, or      watching the latest films and television programs in another language.  While translations of foreign books are      certainly of high quality, nothing compares to reading an author’s words      in his or her own language.
• You      can learn a new language and visit the country to discover a wealth of      culture that you could not have fully discovered otherwise.
• You      are better able to participate in business activities in a foreign country      and can more rapidly earn trust and      respect from foreign business colleagues.
• You      can improve your international and social relations to expand your      business and social network.
• In      this rapidly expanding world, you are more      marketable to international companies if you speak second or third      languages.

These are just a few of the many reasons to learn another language. And remember, you are never too old or too young to start learning a new language!

You Can Learn a New Language

It may seem like a daunting task, but remember, it is a step-by-step process. Over time, your brain will integrate the foreign language, and you will be able to express yourself in the new language as well as your original language.

Whether learning a new language for business purposes or personal reasons, an advantage is always gained. Most cultures will be patient with your efforts, and speaking their language is advantageous, even if you are not yet fluent. You will gain respect from foreign business colleagues and, with respect and trust, the possibility of landing an international deal increases. Additionally, the ability to understand a foreign language well enough to convey attitude and personality is directly related to your ease of social interaction in that language. Don’t hamper your business or social dealings by feeling uptight and nervous!

Any language can be learned with effort, provided you use positive learning strategies, practice, and listen. Many students find that language schools provide the structure, motivation and expert instruction to succeed in learning a new language.  Expand your language horizons, keep your brain active, and grow in business and social success with a new language in your portfolio. From any point of view, it is logical to learn another language. Begin now and enjoy the new horizons that will open. If for no other reason, do it for the great enjoyment it provides!