Everyone Benefits from Learning Minority Languages

In Japan and at home: stand up

Have you ever heard the Japanese phrase Nanakorobi Yaoki [na-na ko-ro-bi ya-oki]? It translates to “Fall down seven times, stand up eight.” This saying highlights the perseverance and resiliency embedded in Japanese culture. If you are not a native Japanese speaker, knowing this saying and other everyday expressions while in Japan or around someone who is Japanese, is like a quiet handshake, a small nod of approval, or a warm smile. Learning minority languages

• opens doors to learning about others’ ways of life,
• teaches us what gives individuals hope, and
• teaches us how individuals stand up again.

Welsh and Inuktitut make a difference

From the time a person is born, language carries that individual’s voice and power. Words, and how they are used, color our interactions with loved ones, friends, colleagues, and strangers. They help us

• develop lifelong communication skills;
• enjoy our favorite entertainment; and
• allow us to express our inner selves.

Imagine having the ability to read, write, or speak another language. You are less tied to subtitles, Google translate, or an interpreter. St. David, the patron saint of Wales, is known for his saying: “Do the little things that make a big difference.” If you learn Welsh or Cymraeg, you will be interacting with Britain’s oldest language and carrying on the Welsh tradition of warmth and hospitality. This poetic tongue sounds like a melody; its words are lyrical and convey both setting and emotion. For instance, the word for wonderful is “Bendigedig,” [ben-dee-geh-dig] carrying a deeply rhythmic sound and joyful feeling.

You might also hear a loved one in Wales ask for a “cwtch” [cutch], or cuddle. Whether reading or speaking, your appreciation of this ancient language may seem small, but it certainly demonstrates respect to the citizens of Wales.

Certainly, the rhythm and flow of conversation depends on a deeper comprehension than words’ literal meanings. In movies, translations often focus on surface level significance, which often appear as subtitles. However, while watching the Canadian film “Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner,” in its original language, Inuktitut, you participate in Inuit life by understanding colloquialisms, cultural references, and speech undertones. You are submerged in aboriginal rituals, ancestral clothing, and the cultural practice of shamans fighting evil and protecting the village. Because the Inuits of Canada believe in the tradition of oral storytelling, a viewing of this movie allows you to hear the struggle of nomadic villagers in their own voices and share in their universal human plight to stay alive. Subtitles do not grant this nuanced experience.

Ultimately, the exchange of language involves intake and release. We consume or internalize a song, poem, or movie, yet once it travels down the inner passages of our brain and heart, we feel compelled to share what nourishes, excites or disappoints us. In our native tongue, we know the words that ignite a smile or stimulate tears. We are fully aware of abbreviations, taglines, verbal quips, and myriad other strategies that comprise our language persona. With this robust awareness, we have options for our expressiveness. We can use a word to impart tone or suggest danger. We can expose the stillness of our spirit or the loud thumping of our hearts. Learning a minority language is like gaining passage to a secret portal of another culture. When we arrive, our self expression expands, opening its wings to new sounds and symbols and allowing us to connect with and appreciate more people, more settings, and more situations.

Danish hygge is universal

Consider how access to another language other than your own improves your ability to understand and empathize with a person from another country. The possible rewards are countless. In Denmark, when you hear someone say hygge (pronounced hyoo guh), you might think, “That is a silly word,” but this idiomatic expression has a magical meaning in Danish culture. In simple terms, it means “coziness.” However, the word has far-reaching tentacles: with Denmark’s long, cold winters, hygge means creating warmth with family and friends. Danish people are known to be the happiest people on earth. They promote hygge every day as part of their way of life. This one word transmits a universal desire – happiness – and inspires us to connect with others around the world.

Māori language celebrates and preserves tradition

Language illustrates social nuances and norms, depicting the richness of a person’s heritage. Around the world, we are eating, drinking, and socializing in similar and dissimilar ways. Even gestures, facial expressions, and body language offer a window into traditions that are centuries’ old. For instance, the Māori people in New Zealand have a special greeting called the hongi [HONG-ee]. To say hello, two individuals press their noses or foreheads together. In doing so, the participants are sharing a breath, which is considered a sacred sign of welcome. Originally, the Māori had no original language; thus, their use of carvings, symbols, and physical movements were used as communicative tools. If you visit an area in New Zealand where the indigenous Māori live, you may be invited to a Pōwhiri [Po-fu-ree]. Here, you will interact with Māori individuals in a ritual that involves singing, dancing, and speeches that clear a path for peaceful communication between you and the tribe. Your involvement shows an acknowledgement of the Māori language as the Māori people view it: as a treasure or tāonga [TAH-oh-nguh].

Language monetizes and diplomatizes

In a world where money speaks, there is no doubt that learning a minority language enhances one’s value in the workplace. Cultural diversity permeates all sectors of human life, whether it be through religion, race, ethnic background, sexuality, value systems, or language. Today, due to technological advancements, the world is at our fingertips. However, with this reach, there are expectations. You may have researched business protocols in Sweden prior to your meeting and you may be a stellar salesperson in your homeland; however, your salutation or your pitch is only optimal if you can communicate it with clarity and respect. Imagine the exponential potency of your craft when it is shared with your audience in their native tongue.

Beyond the potential to engage prospective clients or colleagues, knowing another language ignites diplomacy and global advocacy. Currently, world leaders are making life-altering decisions about global concerns such as climate change, poverty, violence, and education. When they use a minority language to negotiate and maintain relationships, they are better armed to overcome challenges and empathize with people around the world. Furthermore, this empathy, derived from the benefits of a common language, propels the preservation of endangered cultures.

Ikigai: Language is our passport to living a full life

What is your ikigai [ee-kee-gahy], or reason to live? This Japanese concept can be explained by its four elements, all of which apply to promoting cultural diversity through language:

• What you love
• What you are good at
• What the world needs
• What you can be paid for

We are more than the clothing we wear, the job we hold, and the place we were born. We are more than the money we have, the size of our home, and the type of food we eat. To truly learn about another individual, it is imperative that we know what this person loves. What makes this person leap out of bed and celebrate a new day? Language is our passport to this information. We can acquire details about individuals by asking about their strengths and talents. We can decipher what the world needs by engaging individuals in cultural discussions in their native tongue. And yes, we can use our diverse language abilities to pay us, either in currency, relationships, or contacts.

Tongan language showcases hope

Hope is a universal human desire for a positive outcome. Many languages have a proverb that demonstrates this desire, but one in particular has a profound image to illustrate its strength. In the Tongan language, “Holo pe tu’u he ko e ngalu e fasi” means “Stand firm and the waves will break.” The people in the kingdom of Tonga believe that it is possible to overcome adversity, but one must be patient and show respect. Honoring elders, becoming an integral part of customary communal activities, and dressing modestly, reveals deference to Tongan culture. This respect, or “faka’ apa’ apa” in Tongan, pervades daily life in Tonga. Visitors who exhibit energetic hope and practice Tongan are embodiments of “faka’ apa’ apa.”

Are you ready to explore the benefits of learning a minority language and celebrating cultural diversity? In doing so, your study of another language will

• improve your communication skills,
• enhance your cultural awareness, and
• celebrate the beauty of language.

Whether successfully performing Karaoke to “Gangnam Style” in Korean, requesting hilfe [hil-fuh], or help, for a person during a medical emergency in Germany, or uplifting your gratitude for the immense possibilities that language offers wherever you are in the world, you will be rewarded in both subtle and profound ways.

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