Life as a Polyglot : Doubtful Nationalism Spirit and The Advantages

“Tujuh belas agustus tahun 45, itu lah hari kemerdekaan kita”

Or in English is translated as “August 17th 1945, that is our independence day” is famous national song that often be played for celebrating independence day. This year, Indonesia is celebrated its 75 independence years. Usually, the nationalism feeling will be galvanized to commemorate the effort our national heroes who had defended the mother land of Indonesia from the colonialism (Dutch and Japan at that time). Once upon a time, when I was high school student, my nationalism spirit had been doubted because I often wrote any caption related to Indonesia's Independence day in various foreign languages I learnt at that time. That’s a quite offensive for a polyglot like me.

Polyglot or multi-linguistic is a person who able to understand and to speak at least five languages well. I am blessed that I was born in Indonesia that abundant in rich diversity cultures included traditional cultures. We consist from various tribes like Javanese, Sundanese, Bataknese, Balinese, Padangnese, et cetera that bring us to have at least one traditional language along with bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian language) as an unity language. Technically I have two native languages which are bahasa Indonesia as my national native language and boso Jowo (Javanese language) as my traditional native language. The foreigners often mistakenly by saying “I speak bahasa a lil bit” and for Indonesian it is awkward because the word of bahasa itself means language so literally they would say “I speak language” and I would ask again “which language sir/mam you are speaking?”. I also proud that although I have been raised in Jakarta as the only metropolitan city and Bekasi as an urban area greater Jakarta, yet I am able to speak Javanese language with traditional dialect or we used to call it as “gaya medhok /medhok style”

In addition of my native languages, I am equipped with good communication skill in proficiency English and Intermediate French as my international languages. These skills support me to my professional career as well as expanding my both professional and personal network. Although my French skill is still in B1 level (intermediate equivalent), but I am able to understand (not speak actively yet) some words in Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian because those languages are similar.

In my social medias like facebook and Instagram, I often share anything about foreign languages from meme until the news information. Unfortunately it makes some of people asking “Aulia, how nationalism are you? Because you don’t write any caption in Bahasa Indonesia”. I grin as how can a language can be an indicator of nationalism? How can you judge the nationalism of someone else just because of someone speaking in their non-native language? Before you ask me that offensive question, better ask yourself how nationalism are you? Do you pay the tax properly? How many local products you use?

Here, I clarify that writing and speaking in various foreign languages / non-native languages would never decrease my nationalism spirit. It galvanizes my nationalism as well as increasing my gratitude as an Indonesian-born child because not every country have unity language like Indonesia. My heart always holds the “Pancasila value” every where I go but my tongue and my mind will think globally. Moreover, I do for practicing my languages, because practice makes perfect, isn’t it? Based on my experiences as multi-linguistic person, I will share to you about the advantages you will get if you are able to speak in many languages

1. Expanding the Networking

Nelson Mandela, a former south African president said “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.” This is repeated even until nowadays after he passed away previous years ago. It means that if you able to speak many languages, you have the chance to expand your life- networking both as an individual and as a professional with people from various cultural background in the world.

2. Increasing the knowledge

Knowledge for more than one language makes you smarter. You can get the source from any various language you able to understand to increase both of your skill and your knowledge. It provides you to broad your access to education and information. Moreover, it increases your career opportunity to the next global level.

3. Preventing dementia

A research said that when you learn foreign languages, it will help you to prevent dementia. Studies have shown that people who utilize their brains more through furthering their language tend to have lower rates of dementia and memory problems later in life regardless of education levels, gender or occupation.

4. Travel overseas without worry

Travelling overseas is definitely delightful but sometimes language barrier is a problem because not every country have a good English skill. How can you communicate to order the food in restaurant or bargain the shop-seller when buying souvenir. Do you trust Google translate as it often confusing? Having ability to speak more than two language will make your travel easier. Even you can save yourself if someone with bad intention trade to deceive you with their native language and their culture.

5. Open your mind getting wider.

People with narrow-minded will say “don’t learn that language because that’s spoken by kafir (disbeliever)”. It is totally misleading because all knowledge including the language knowledge come from the almighty God. Trust me, if you learn the language and culture getting deeper and deeper you will amaze how Great the God is as He has created us in various difference that make this life becomes beautiful.

Being polyglot sometimes confusing like the term of Bye-lingual or try-lingual because sometimes you often forget the word in your native language but remember it in non-native language. People asking me how can I practice language? So beside writing and speaking, you can chose other ways such as watching movie and chatting with people from various cultural background. So you can gain the new knowledge and new friend at the same time.

Once again, Happy Independence day to my beloved country, Indonesia. A country abundant with cultural diversity and natural heritages. A country where I was born and raised. A country where I live and will be back home. I will always be proud of my roots wherever I go.