The Synergy Project Magazine - October 2020

LANGUAGE
LEARNING:
A WINDOW TO THE WORLD
By: Julia Loritz
Underneath the
widespread umbrella
of culture lay the
foundations of human
behavior. Many can
trace their roots to
unique traditions and
ancestral ways of
life. It’s impossible to
classify them all, but
each provides a new
perspective of the world
around us. The intimacy
of folklore and native
practices are staples of
who we are, whether or
not we are aware of it.
Amongst
innumerable customs and
heritages are over 6,500
languages —intricate
maps and keys to identify
our surroundings and
the things we love
(Klappenbach). One
of the greatest gifts is
knowledge, especially
that of which is earned
through meaningful
dialogue with remarkable
people, all of whom
have something to say.
Without communication,
there is an emptiness.
Language fills that gap
and is nothing short of a
miracle. As we grow up,
we process information
while picking up words in
a game of association and
memorization. Our entire
vocabulary is made up of
compounds our brains
are wired to comprehend.
This phenomenon is so
often taken for granted,
despite its gravity in our
everyday lives.
I am fascinated
by language and how
different vernaculars
are intertwined. We can
group each dialect in
branches of a language
tree. There’s Germanic,
Balto-Slavic, Romance…
the list goes on. Many
students earn foreign
language credits in
school. Others may take
initiative to learn outside
of class. No matter where
you start, learning a
language is challenging.
With these strategies,
however, it is well worth it
to begin your studies.
The opportunity
to learn has never
been more accessible,
especially in the
Information Age. Taking
advantage of resources
and time otherwise spent
on mindless activities
is an excellent way to
improve your intellectual
wellness. Understanding
language is the key to
understanding the world.
Works Cited
Klappenbach, Anna. “Most Spoken Languages in the World 2020.” Busuu Blog, 19 Dec. 2019, blog.busuu.com/most-spoken-languages-in-theworld/#:~:text=Well%2C%20roughly%206%2C500%20languages%20are,less%20widely%20spoken%20than%20others.
28 THE SYNERGY PROJECT MAGAZINE