In a world fraught with mistrust and misunderstanding, the ability to communicate across cultures and celebrate shared humanity is surely of the utmost importance. Yet many people believe they’re inherently “bad at languages,” a misconception that can prevent them from experiencing the many joys and benefits of multilingualism. With nearly 7,000 languages spoken, written, and signed globally, it’s clear there’s a language out there for everyone. The idea that anyone is intrinsically poor at learning languages is a myth. Once you accept that, you can open doors to new cultural, professional and all-round life experiences and actively participate in a shared outlook on the world.
The belief that some people are naturally bad at languages is widespread (especially in Anglophone countries) but unfounded. This misconception often stems from negative experiences in formal education, societal pressure and unrealistic expectations. Language acquisition is a multifaceted process influenced by exposure, practice and motivation rather than an inherent ‘knack’ or talent.
Human brains are naturally equipped for language learning. From a young age, we pick up linguistic cues, discern patterns and make sense of sounds. This ability doesn’t disappear or diminish with age but evolves, allowing us to learn new languages throughout our lives. Changing your mindset and approach to language learning is crucial to overcoming the belief that you’re just not good at it.
Although, as learners, we’re naturally afraid of making them, mistakes are an essential part of the language learning process. They’re not signs of failure, but rather opportunities for improvement and onward development. Embracing mistakes helps you refine your skills, deepen your understanding and, crucially, build confidence. When we view an errant gender agreement, a missed subjunctive or a mangled case ending as learning tools, the fear of being “bad at languages” begins to dissipate.
The process of making mistakes and learning from them mirrors how we acquire our native languages, after all. As children, we constantly experiment with sounds and words, improving gradually through trial and error. Think of the times a young child says things like, “I seed a bird in the tree” or “my class singed songs in assembly”. The past tenses may be morphologically wrong, but a native speaker still understands perfectly well what’s meant. If you don’t try, you don’t communicate at all. This natural learning process should also be embraced when learning a second or third language. Patience, practice and persistence are crucial for success.
A language that inspires you will also help you push past the mistakes, and can be a welcome gateway to other languages and cultures. In my case, Spanish was the key to Catalan, Galician and even Basque. French opened the door to Gascon and Guernésiais. German drew me into Dutch and Romansh and they all led to Albanian, Farsi and Chinese. A language that inspires you, in whatever way, will lead you to another and you’ll discover the wider world, piece by piece, people by people and culture by culture.
That inspiration can come from many quarters. For example, you may have had a particularly memorable holiday in France or Spain and fallen in love with the country; you may have been beguiled by a friendly new people; you may have a taste for the food, drink, song or dance of another nation; you may have come under the spell of a culture far removed from your own. Starting with a language that resonates with you in some way can provide the motivation needed and the genuine excitement you’ll feel when you explore new languages.
With nearly 7,000 languages out there, there’s a vast world of linguistic diversity to explore. Each language embodies a unique cultural heritage, world-view and way of thinking. Learning new languages allows you not only to communicate but also to fully appreciate different cultures and perspectives.
Before you say, “I don’t think there’s one for me,” consider the sheer variety of languages to choose from. There are Indo-European languages, such as English, Spanish, French, German, Russian, Hindi, Farsi and Romani, each offering different cultural lenses and historical contexts. Sino-Tibetan languages like Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese, Tibetan and Burmese provide insights into some of the world’s oldest and richest cultures. Afro-Asiatic languages, including Arabic, Hebrew, Amharic and Somali, open doors to understanding the Middle East and parts of Africa. Niger-Congo languages, such as Swahili, Yoruba, Zulu and Shona, reflect Africa’s incredible ethnic and cultural diversity. Austronesian languages, including Tagalog, Hawaiian and Maori, connect us to the maritime cultures of the Pacific region. Sign languages like British Sign Language (BSL) are essential for communication within the Deaf community and their richness of expression and cultural significance are often overlooked.
So, given the immense array of languages available, finding one that resonates with you involves a degree of exploration and personal preference. Start by identifying your interests. What cultures, histories, countries or regions fascinate you? Begin with a language spoken in those areas. Passion for the culture will then fuel your motivation to learn the language.
Consider your goals. Are you learning for travel, career advancement, personal growth or connecting with friends and family? Different objectives might lead you to different languages. Once you learn one language, you’ll be tempted to explore related ones within the same family. The similarities can make learning the second language a little easier and maybe even more rewarding.
Use technology and resources to your advantage. Leverage language learning apps, online courses, native speakers offering online conversation practice and even local language meet-ups and cultural events. Immersing yourself in the language through media, music, films and conversations can accelerate your progress and make the whole experience more ‘real’. Language learning is inherently social and all about human contact after all.
Being bilingual, trilingual or even multilingual offers countless benefits. It enhances a whole suite of cognitive abilities, improves problem-solving skills generally and encourages cultural empathy. Multilingual people can navigate diverse social environments and unfamiliar scenarios with ease, relate more readily to different ways of thinking and acting, and as an added bonus, often have better job prospects.
If that weren’t enough, learning languages brings a warm and fuzzy feeling of achievement and development. It challenges you to step out of your comfort zone, expands your horizons and connects you incomparably with people from different walks of life. Each new language learned is a key to a new world, providing fresh perspectives and a deeper understanding of humanity.
The idea that people can be “bad at languages” is a misconception rooted in fear of making mistakes and plain misunderstanding. Language learning is an innate human ability, and with nearly 7,000 languages to choose from, there is undoubtedly one that will resonate with you. Embrace mistakes as learning opportunities, let passion guide your linguistic journey, and take your pick from the rich variety of global languages.
Remember, languages are about communication, understanding and shared humanity. There’s a language out there for everyone, including you. You don’t have to be “good at languages” and it’s okay to get things wrong. Learn from your mistakes, express yourself and discover how learning a new language can make your (and everyone’s) world a little bit bigger and a whole lot more colourful.
Albaro Languages 