The Embarrassment of Learning a Language

And why it's crucial

With a demographic of 40% international students, this university is no stranger to a foreign language… or two or three. Walking from Rector’s Café to Tesco, you’ll hear a pair of Portuguese, a Deutsch duo and a group of Greeks. And what a joy it is to bathe in this multiculturalism! However, I fear that, amongst those who exclusively speak English, there is a distinct apprehension about learning a new language for fear of looking stupid or embarrassing oneself. In what can only be described as a departure from the norm, I am here to inspire! Today, I shall shake you out of that foolishness and give you the go-ahead to get out there and try. 

This article is motivated by the time I was in a language class and we were doing a speaking exercise, as language students often are wont to do. While we were mingling and fumbling through our practice phrases, someone in the group turned to me and said, “Wow, you’re really enthusiastic.” 

I must admit here that the limitations of the written word cannot convey to you all the condescension in this simple sentence. This comment stumped me. Why would I sign up for this language class to learn a new language (that I chose, may I once again reiterate) and approach it nonchalantly? That is simply not in my nature. If I were a nonchalant person, I would not be writing for Viewpoint — and I would probably be more content with my life. 

Alas, I think this boils down to the question of motivation. Are you learning a language because you want to become fluent in a new language or because you want to pass a class? If you fall into the latter category, then I’m afraid I cannot help you with this article. You are on a journey of your own, and you must find a different sensei to guide you. However, if you want to learn a language and enjoy doing so, then you must immediately get over this mental hurdle. Your language attempts will not magically become smooth sailing, but you will at least not be terrified of boarding the boat. Some would say that is the most crucial step. 

Ignore the imminent humble brag, but I feel that I must prove my credibility in writing this article. I have been known to learn a language or two in my time. My early youth was spent sobbing over the challenges of Mandarin, and my later youth was spent weeping over the annoyances of German. Do not ask me if I am good at either tongue; you will be met promptly with silence. Through the rivers (yes, plural) of tears shed, I have emerged with a unique perspective on languages, shaped by the thousands of times I have messed up and humiliated myself: You have to embarrass yourself to learn a language. It’s the way you learn. Once you unlock the liberation of being ashamed, only then will you master the language you seek. 

Firstly, the best way to remember from your mistakes — grammatical or pronunciation — is to never forget the way you messed up. Raising your hand confidently only to discover that you were wrong is a bad feeling for sure, but it also gives you the gift of remembering through humiliation. You better not forget that panda is pronounced “xióngmāo” and not “xiōngmáo” because now you have unintentionally declared your love for hairy chests. Schwuler and Schuler are a simple letter apart, and yet if you don’t mark that difference, I guarantee you a thirteen-year-old who actively uses the phrase “auf lock” or “goonen” will giggle. Yes, I’ve mentioned examples from the languages that I have learnt for the simple reason that these things have happened to me… or a friend. But we lived to tell the tale! And now I offer these experiences for you to chuckle at, in a true illustration of growth and maturity. This embarrassment becomes an important tool for learning that would have never been possible if you were too afraid. 

What is the point of learning a language if you are never going to use it? Are you planning on packing up your Persian or sweeping your Swedish away until you suddenly become fluent? This is not realistic, my friend! Get out there now and chat, chat, chat so you can practice and hone your craft. Learning a language in isolation and using it in context are obviously two very different experiences, but they build on each other. You wouldn’t drive without a licence — don’t expect fluency without a little struggle. Shablam. 

Once you accept the possibility of mortification, learning a language becomes ten times easier, because suddenly anything is possible. Yes, I have ten siblings (that is the only number I could remember)! My dream job is to be a veterinarian (despite my studying IR)! Your life can be whatever vocabulary you remember. This would not even be on the table if you were too cautious to get out there and try. Go and be who you want to be, or, rather, what your Quizlet has taught you. 

If I may be so honest, some of you should be more embarrassed when speaking English instead of a second language. You have humiliated yourself time and time again, and yet there you go blabbing again. You asking someone “Quanti anni ho?” instead of “Quanti anni hai?” cannot make you feel any more shame than that one night you spilt your deepest secret to a friend of a friend at a party in an odd attempt to keep the conversation going. Yet somehow this new opportunity for acquiring knowledge keeps you up at night. Please re-evaluate your values and priorities. Learning this new language with your whole heart and soul could make you more palatable to others through its injection of a new perspective. Conversely, it also has the chance to make you more irritating and pretentious. I hand the dice to you to roll, I’m afraid. 

Now fly, my little butterfly. Ultimately, I think that no one is going to laugh in your face if you genuinely try to connect with someone in their native language. Why not try? The only exception is the French. I cannot advise you on them; they are out of my hands and exist in their own world. Thus, I conclude my preaching. I hope this manifesto encourages you to get out there and find people to practice your newfound language with, and I hope they are kind and accept you in all of your stumblings and mistakes.

Illustration by Ramona Kirkham