17/08/2025

ON SUNDAY August 17, 2025 VI theSunday Special

How mastering a new language expands your connection to the world around you

As Austrian philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein once said, “The limits of my language mean the limits of my world”.

BY ASHRAF WAHAB

I N our hyper-connected, ever globalising world, picking up a new language is the smartest investment you can make in yourself. Think about it. We spend hours upgrading our gadgets, wardrobes and resumes, but what about our brains? Learning a new language isn’t just about impressing people at dinner parties or ordering tapas in perfect Spanish while on holiday in Barcelona. It’s a deeply enriching experience that opens doors — personally, professionally and even cognitively. The multilingual world: Who’s leading the pack? If being multilingual is some niche tal ent, think again. In many parts of the world, speaking multiple languages is the norm, not the exception. Let’s take a quick look at some of the world’s multilingual heavyweights: • Luxembourg: Approximately three in four residents speak at least three languages. That’s a whopping 75%. With Luxembourgish, French and Ger PDQ DV Ṙ FLDO ODQJXDJHV LW¶V DOPRVW impossible not to be multilingual. • Switzerland: Home to four national languages, 64% of the population VSHDNV PRUH WKDQ RQH ODQJXDJH ÀX ently. • Singapore: Thanks to its multicul tural makeup, around three in four Singaporeans are bilingual, often speaking English and a mother tongue such as Mandarin, Malay or Tamil. • India: With over 120 major languages and thousands of dialects, many In dians grow up speaking two or more languages on a daily basis. Around 26% are estimated to be multilingual. • Malaysia: You thought we’d mention our neighbours, Singapore and not our home country? Malaysia isn’t doing too badly either. A large number of Malaysians are at least bilingual, especially those from urban areas who use English and Bahasa Malaysia interchangeably, with many also speak ing Mandarin, Tamil or other dialects. Multilingualism is more of a necessity than a novelty in many societies. I believe that the ability to be multilingual is a natural trait in humans. You just need the will and motivation to learn.

Why you should seriously consider learning a new language being multilingual is a major flex. Whether you’re in finance, marketing or tech, the ability to communicate with international clients or partners can make you a valuable asset. Some studies suggest that bilingual employees can earn 5-20% more per hour than their monolingual peers. 3. Travel like a local 4. Cultural appreciation Language and culture are inseparable. When you learn a new language, you also gain insights into the customs, humour and worldview of that culture. It’s a form of empathy, a way to walk in someone else’s shoes. We delve much deeper into this in the segment below.

SOME of you might be thinking, in this era, why not just use Google Translate or AI? Well, we list down some of the benefits here: 1. Brain gains Learning a new language changes your brain. It improves memory, enhances problem-solving skills, focus, creativity and even delays the onset of dementia. MRI scans reveal that language learning enhances grey matter density, particu larly in regions associated with memory and attention. 2. Career boosting power In an increasingly global job market,

Sure, English can get you around in many places, but knowing the local language can transform your travel experience. You’re no longer just a tourist; you’re a participant. Sure, you can use translation apps, but locals are often more open and helpful when you make an effort to speak their language.