Why Learn A Foreign Language?

Are you struggling with the French subjunctive or the use of "Lei" in Italian? Everyone seems to speak English anyway, and there s Google translate, so what`s the point?

Not only can the ability to say just a few words in a foreign language enrich your holiday experience, but it can give fascinating insights into a culture. Indeed, something which may seem just like sound to you: ciao can connect and open a door to somebody from a different country.

Moreover, the words which may be unique to a particular language can be an intriguing revelation of its culture. For example, English as over 150 words prefixed with self : self-control, self-improvement, self-respect etc, whilst Italian has very few. Their equivalent perhaps being auto , as in autobiography but this tends to be used to indicate things done automatically.

Furthermore, Italian does not have a one-word translation for hangover , yet English has dozens of expressions for inebriation. English has no real equivalent of simpatico nice, friendly, good fun. Italian has no word for considerate they use civile or educato which do not really translate the idea of thinking of others perhaps exemplified in Italian double parking!. English however, may not have the true concept of la dolce vita - the sweet life or presenting a bella figura cutting a fine figure which may not fully communicate the idea of looking good and never making a fool of oneself.

Apart from a richer appreciation of a particular culture, being able to speak another language can be invaluable. For example, if you are thinking of buying a holiday home in that country. Some friends who had always dreamed of having a holiday home in France, asked me to assist them in the purchase of a house in South West France. I attended the Notaire or legal specialist to help in the signing of the contract and much to my surprise the word amiante came up in the discussions. Imagine the relief to my friends when I could explain that this word actually meant asbestos which was in fact present in the property kitchen floor.

Another potential catastrophe was averted with the help of a few words of Italian. We recently took my in-laws skiing in the Italian Dolomites. Unfortunately, my Mother-in-law fell in the snow and broke her arm. As we desperately tried to drive to the nearest hospital, we skidded the car in the snow, straight into an oncoming van and after the ensuing crowd and chaos, we were told by the police that we could not drive the vehicle any further. Thanks to my knowledge of Italian, and the kindness and generosity of the Italians, I was able to flag down an ambulance , get my Mother-in-law taken immediately to the nearest hospital, obtain a lift for the rest of us down the mountain to the hospital, manage to get us all home by taxi and train and then reclaim our car from the garage the following morning. It could all have been so different without being able to communicate in the local language.

So, don t give up on your vocabulary lists and verb conjugations and persevere with your foreign language. Not only will it be deepen your appreciation of a wonderful and diverse culture but it could save the day .......how do you translate that into Italian?