17/08/2025

ON SUNDAY August 17, 2025 theSunday Special VII

LEARNING a new language is more than just memorising vocabulary and conjugating verbs. It’s about connec tion. It’s about understanding someone else’s world and letting them know yours. So, whether you’re brushing up on your long-lost Mandarin skills or diving into something entirely new like Italian or Japanese, know that you’re not just learning to talk differently. You’re learning to think differently. And in a world where differences often divide us, that might just be the most essential skill of all. Final thoughts: More than just words

Knowing the local language can transform your travel experience too. You’re no longer just a tourist.

• Babbel: This is especially useful for those who want to speak a new language in real-life conversations. It focuses on practical dialogue and grammar, with lessons designed by linguistic experts. • Memrise: Using spaced repetition and multimedia content, Memrise helps you remember vocabulary more H̆ HFWLYHO\ ,W DOVR LQFOXGHV YLGHRV RI native speakers to improve listening skills. • Rosetta Stone: This veteran in the language-learning world focuses on immersive learning, making it ideal for those who want a deeper understand ing of pronunciation and grammar without translating everything into their native language. • Busuu: 7KLV DSS R̆ HUV SHUVRQDOLVHG study plans and the unique feature of interaction with native speakers

Language, thought and identity: The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis One fascinating concept in linguistics that ties language to culture is the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis. Also known as linguistic relativity, this theory suggests that the structure of a language can shape how its speakers perceive and think about the world. In other words, language doesn’t MXVW UHÀHFW FXOWXUH LW FDQ LQÀXHQFH FRJQL tion. For example, some languages have multiple words for what English speakers might call “snow”, while others categorise time or direction in unique ways. This impacts how people from those cultures experience their environment. So, when you learn a new language, you’re also learning a new way of seeing the world. Interestingly, this hypothesis also helps explain why people sometimes adopt different personalities or mannerisms when they switch languages. If you’ve ever noticed a friend acting more assertively in English but more reserved in Japanese or funnier in Malay than in Mandarin, it PLJKW QRW EH \RXU LPDJLQDWLRQ 'L̆ HUHQW languages come with different social norms, emotional tones and even levels RI IRUPDOLW\ DOO RI ZKLFK LQÀXHQFH KRZ we express ourselves. Learning a language, then, isn’t just adding new words to your brain. It’s about accessing alternate versions of yourself and by extension, understanding others on a deeper, more authentic level. The best apps to get you started Let’s face it, we’re glued to our phones anyway. So why not make your screen time count? • Duolingo: This is probably the most well-known language learning app. ,W LV D FRORXUIXO JDPL¿HG DSS WKDW LV great for beginners. With bite-sized lessons and a wide variety of languages, Duolingo makes learning feel more like a mobile game than a study session.

who can correct your exercises. This peer-to-peer component adds a social dimension to your learning. • LingoDeer: The app that I used to learn Japanese all those years ago. (VSHFLDOO\ H̆ HFWLYH IRU OHDUQLQJ $VLDQ languages like Korean, Japanese and Chinese, LingoDeer provides structured lessons with grammar tips, vocabulary reviews and native pronunciation. It’s a favourite among learners who want a solid foundation in tricky character-based languages. Is using AI a valid option? Absolutely. Artificial intelligence is revolutionising the language learning ODQGVFDSH LQ VLJQL¿FDQW ZD\V $, SRZHUHG platforms like ChatGPT can simulate real OLIH FRQYHUVDWLRQV R̆ HU LQVWDQW JUDPPDU corrections and even help write emails or essays in your target language.

Then there are tools like Speechling and LingQ, which use AI to personalise lessons based on your progress and speaking ability. These platforms adapt to your learning style, so you’re not stuck with a RQH VL]H ¿WV DOO FXUULFXOXP Voice recognition tech has also ad YDQFHG VLJQL¿FDQWO\ $SSV FDQ QRZ HYDOX ate your pronunciation and fluency in real time, giving you immediate feedback -- something even human tutors might not always manage. The bottom line? AI isn’t replacing human teachers, but it’s making language learning more accessible, efficient and ÀH[LEOH Making it stick: Tips for long-term success L DQJXDJH OHDUQLQJ LVQ¶W D VSULQW LW¶V PRUH like a slow dance. Here are a few tips to keep your momentum going: • Set realistic goals: Don’t aim to be ÀXHQW LQ WKUHH PRQWKV 6WDUW ZLWK minutes a day and build from there. • Use it daily: Even thinking in your target language can help. Label items in your home, speak to yourself or adjust your phone’s language settings. • Find a buddy: Language exchange partners or tutors can keep you moti vated. • Immerse yourself: Watch movies, listen to music or follow social media LQÀXHQFHUV ZKR VSHDN WKH ODQJXDJH

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