LOST IN TRANSLATION? You’re Not Yourself in a Second Language. Here’s Why

I have to say, I think a lot about like my past as well, because I lived in several countries and with different cultures.

And I believe sometimes we tend to reduce the language, learning a language to only grammar and vocabulary.

But I think that it's so much more.

And I think that especially when you grow up, you see other aspects of of learning the language as integration and also like understanding the social norms of different country and cultural references that you have to learn when especially you live in that country.

And how much do you think a language can contribute to integration?

I think that's a huge part.

So from my perspective, language is like a bridge.

between people and to communicate with each other is not only about how the grammar is or how the words are it's you know it's kind of also your personality that shows through the language so when you're a native speaker and you you speak like your own language your native language you also express kind of a personality your personality your character you have like this fine How do I say it? Like this subtext that always goes with what you say.

And when you're living in another country, that's not going to happen, at least at first.

Because while you learn the new language, you have to focus on grammar.

You have to focus on the basic words that you use in everyday language.

And only later on, you can express yourself the way you could express yourself in your native

language.

So I not only think that it's something that you convey through the language, not only the message, but also how you are or who you are.

I also think that the way the others perceive you is different.

And so when you learn the language and when you can express yourself the way you want to express yourself, the others also get the opportunity to get to know you.

And I think it's very, very important that if you live in a certain country, you speak the language of that country in order to connect to the people.

I mean, of course we all speak English.

It's totally fine.

We get along, but still, if other people see the effort and see you for who you are in the way you express yourself, it makes it much, much easier.

To connect, it makes it much, much easier to have new friends, to integrate, to be part.

So, yeah, I think language or the knowledge of the language in the country that you live in is very important.

Also for work life.

It's not only for your personal life.

It's also work matters, you know.