Should We Learn Two or More Languages?

Language has an important role in social life as a means of communication. Meanwhile, there are almost 6,000–7000 languages worldwide. Of course, there are unitary languages of international and national importance that make it easy to concisely communicate. However, learning two or more languages turns out to be very useful in socializing in society. Learning another language becomes very useful because not only learning a language, a person who learns a new language also learns a culture that is tied to that language. Learning a language is obviously unfamiliar, some difficulties may be found, but it can be a fun and interesting thing to do as a form of brain stimulation that can increase intelligence.

Functionally, language acts as a means of expressing a purpose or function of social processes within the context of situations and cultural contexts Halliday (1994); Butt et al (2000). In this concept, language is the realm of expression. Meanwhile, the context of the situation and the cultural context are the source of meaning of the language itself. Further in discussing the function of meta functional language according to Matthiessen (1992/1995: 6); Martin (1992), under the interpersonal function, language is used to express social reality and is concerned with the interaction between the speakers. This shows one of the important reasons why learning a new language can be so useful. The form of expression of something in a language can vary due to cultural influences and social reality. Learning new languages can be a bridge for someone to better recognize a region and its culture.

In addition, learning new languages, especially for children, can improve their intelligence. Children’s intelligence shows how we stimulate their brains. Carnegie in Uce (2017: 81) mentions that a child’s brain development is influenced by the environment in which the child socializes. One study conducted by Porter (2004: 36) concluded that the nerves in the brain related to language function are Broca’s area, Wernicke’s, and cortex area or Moorish supplementary area. These three nerves are closely related to how the brain works in responding to language or speech heard. This means that a child’s brain development can also be determined by the amount of language heard. The greater the amount of language listened to, the more often the brain works or trains. If the brain is often sharpened or trained, then optimal brain development can be achieved.

Learning new languages can be necessary for people who know the benefits of learning it. Not only can we learn the language, in the process of learning language we can also know more about the cultural origin of the language learned, so that the approach with the language we are aiming for becomes more appropriate in understanding meaning. In addition, increased intelligence, especially at the age of children, can spur us to learn new languages. The various benefits of learning one or even more languages can be a motivation and reason to learn new languages.

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