Why do people fear foreign languages? Is linguaphobia real, and how to deal with linguaphobic attitudes?
0. The horrible, very bad, no-good foreign languages!
Since the 2016 Brexit referendum, the situation in the UK became quite serious when it comes to foreign languages. According to experts and studies soon to be published, teachers notice that pupils and parents are less keen on foreign language classes.
This is a big problem for the business – taking a chunk out of a nation’s GDP. But it’s also hurtful to communities, people’s careers, and the general spirit of lifelong learning.
Here are four steps to fight against the creeping linguaphobia. You can take them even if you don’t believe it exists!
1. Learn a language – just because!
This may be the most obvious one. You may have a good business case for learning a foreign language. But even if you’re never likely to use it, learning how to speak in a non-native language can be a step worth taking.
The benefits to yourself are numerous and I wrote about many of them already: your brain will appreciate the workout, your mood may improve, and you will be amazed at the wealth of new culture you’re discovering.
To your community, though, your language study will send a clear signal: this person is learning a foreign language, and is enjoying doing so. The language learning is something that is OK – it’s “the done thing!” It may be a small signal but it’s one worth sending.
2. Teach a language
If you’re bilingual, share this and don’t be afraid of sharing it. This requires a bit more tact and balance, that’s true. But it can still be done.
My former colleague took up Polish for her MA class in linguistics, and we had plenty of random Duolingo-style chats together (mostly consisting of me having to explain, Duolingo-style, that I am not a cat!). Your colleagues may appreciate learning a new foreign language word every now and then.
And if you can give more, then that kind of language exchange can become something more long-term. Swap your language for another one. Seek out meet-ups or start your own.
Your language can become a valuable currency, and a social glue for a new group. It can be another signal that “over here, people just sit down and learn languages from each other.”
3. Use a language
This one is potentially contentious. There are plenty of cases I heard of – horrible instances where people rant or verbally attack others because they heard them speaking a language that wasn’t English. Sometimes these things get recorded, sometimes they go viral, and sometimes the stupid linguaphobes get in trouble. Exposing them is one thing that can be done.
Another thing – is to use the language you have. If you’re bilingual, in most countries and places you have the privilege of using whichever language you please for your private conversations. If you can read books in another language, do so. If your language study classmate is with you, switch to whatever language you’re learning.
Yes, sometimes this leads to all sorts of crazy situations (people just don’t think that Arabic and airplanes go well together) – so be safe, first of all. But once that’s done, please use the language whenever you can.
4. Bridge two (or more) languages
I recently helped promote a translation initiative for Polish, my native tongue. I spent some time preparing materials for translating Polish poetry. (You can download them here, they’re free – and you don’t need to speak a word of Polish to get into them!)
Translation and interpreting is one of the most amazing, magical things you can do. And people do it all the time. Book lovers and publishers bring new works by new authors to the market. Parents, children, and teaching assistants all help interpret in schools where English is not the only language.
If you think you can do it, start translating or interpreting. Don’t just do it to serve the dominant language (English, or whatever else) – do it to preserve the respectful difference between the two, and to help people understand that different languages and different ways or making sense are possible.
Do you think linguaphobia exists? And how would you fight it?
Wiktor (Vic) Kostrzewski (MA, DELTA) is an author, translator, editor and project manage based in London. When he works, he thinks about languages, education, books, EdTech and teachers. When he doesn’t work, he probably trains for his next triathlon or drinks his next coffee.
BRAVE Learning (formerly known as 16 Kinds) is a lifelong learning and productivity blog. If you enjoy these posts, please check out one of my books and courses.
My recent publications, and my archive, is now all available on my new project: PUNK LEARNING. Hope to see you there!