Polyglot refers to individuals with knowledge of several languages and can, therefore, understand, read, write as well as speak these languages (Brenna, 2016, p.161). Most polyglots learn the use of several dialects through avocation. Polyglots learn many words out of their love for dialects, interests in other cultures or as a result of intellectual curiosity. No substantive research has been carried out to show the importance of being a polyglot.
Literature review
Literature review refers to the systematic identification, location, and analysis of previous research documents that have information related to the research problem being investigated. It forms a framework within which the research findings are interpreted, and similarities are drawn with the existing body of knowledge. Various studies have been put forward to describe the negative impacts of polyglotism on a person brain and way of life. Studies have shown that polyglots may temporarily forget terms in their native languages, misspelling of words in native language because of the same word spelling in other languages and also that polyglots think that gendered words make sense in native languages (Allan, 2014, p.22). Moreover, studies have shown that polyglots are likely to be more intelligent than non-polyglots.
Research questions
The study aims to answer the questions:
i. What is the importance of being a polyglot?
ii. What are the limitations of becoming a polyglot?
Procedure
The research data was collected from secondary sources. The latest research books and Journal articles that were relevant to the study were used as secondary data sources.
Findings
The study found that mastering several languages was of significant advantages to an individual. It was also generally established that polyglots had more opportunities in career development than non-polyglots.
Discussion
Knowing several languages provides mental benefits to a person as opposed to knowing one dialect. Monolingual people are less smart than those who know several languages. Speaking and understanding a foreign language improves the manner in which a brain functions by challenging it to recognise, communicate and negotiate the meaning of words in different languages. The ability to negotiate meanings enables a polyglot to negotiate meanings in real-life problem-solving challenges. Moreover, studies more languages improve brain capacity, and generally polyglot perform better than those who know only one dialect (BRYK, Anthony S. et al., 2015, p.201).
Monoglots are less likely to build multitasking skills as compares to polyglots. Polyglots are skilled at switching between several systems of speech, writing or structures. The ability to turn between several modes of communication enables polyglots to become good multitaskers and are less likely to make errors when multitasking as compared to monoglots (Tej and William,2014,p 359).
Also, the study found out that polyglotism improves a person’s memory. Brains function better with increased exercises. Learning new languages involves mastering new language rules and vocabularies and therefore enhances the mental strength of a polyglot. The skill of mastering new languages improves the overall memory of a multilingual, and he/she are capable of keeping memories of events for a more extended period than monoglots.
Moreover, monoglots are less conscious than polyglots. Multilingual persons observe their surroundings better than monoglots. Polyglots focus more on relevant information on their surroundings by factoring out what is irrelevant. Polyglots are also better positioned to detect misleading details as compared to monolingual individuals.
Improvement of decision-making skills - Polyglots are more likely to make rational decisions as compared to monoglots. Polyglots have more confidence in their choices after reviewing them in different languages than monolinguals. Therefore polyglots are more likely to make better sound decisions that monolinguals.
Also, polyglotism improves the native language. Grammar, conjunctions, as well as sentence structure in different styles, enables one to be more aware on how to restructure and manipulate own native language. The skills of restructuring and manipulating make a person a better communicator, editor as well as a better writer. Polyglotism also enables persons to become better listeners since learning a new language involves distinguishing correct meaning from discreet sounds.
Also, monoglots are less likely to adapt to cultures of other people who speak in foreign dialects. Learning new languages enables a person to adjust better to the culture of other people. It is only through effective communication that one can understand and interact appropriately with others.
The ability to communicate in several languages is becoming increasingly important with the expansion of the integrated global business community. There is a need for businesses to communicate effectively with companies and clients in their native language to help to build stable international relationships that can last for a long time (Bordia and Prashant, 2014,p.421).
Monoglots are limited to job opportunities in areas where they can understand local dialects. Polyglots are more advantaged to secure jobs with global-minded companies than monoglots. International companies are more likely to hire polyglots for international career opportunities as compared to monoglots to help their organisations build lasting relationships with international clients.
Monolinguistics may face challenges when offering services to people who do not understand local language than polyglots. Polyglots are more likely to provide better services to people who do not understand their native dialect better than monolinguals. For instance, a doctor capable of communicating with patients in their local dialect is more likely to be successive in diagnosing such patients than a doctor who does not know the native language of his/her patients.
Monoglots cannot enjoy foreign art in its native language. Knowledge of various languages enables a person to enjoy different artworks in their original style. One can understand art materials presented in other words without necessarily involving a translator. Polyglots can realise foreign media correctly and thus can enjoy the originality of international art without the biased information from translators.
Monoglots fear to make language mistakes. Knowledge of other languages enables a person to conquer fears of making language mistakes. Proper mastery of foreign languages will allow one to communicate such expressions with ease clear of errors thus boosting one's confidence when talking in a foreign language.
Monoglots are poor learners as compared to polyglots. Knowing several languages enables a person to become a better learner. Learning new languages presents opportunities to a person to understand how to learn more efficiently by developing language hacks ( Vivian, 2016, p.197). Through trial and error method involved in learning a new language, one has an understanding of common barriers that are involved in learning and can avoid such obstacles from the first stage of learning as opposed to new learners. Also, a polyglot has more understanding of language hacks that can enable him/her to learn a new language faster than those who have never mastered a foreign language before.
Also, one becomes more interesting as well as meets more exciting people through the knowledge of several languages. Monolinguals can be boring. Knowing various languages is more fun and exciting. A multilingual person is likely to have a more lively and engaging communication with foreigners than a person who has mastery of only native language.
Conclusion
Learning new languages is vital for personal growth and development as it improves a person’s way of life, improves one's memory and thinking capacity as well as opening one to world job opportunities. However, learning new languages comes with challenges. People usually have a fear of making mistakes when using a unique dialect and it can discourage one from learning and putting into practice a new language. Another limitation towards learning a new language is lack of opportunity. Lack of ability to afford expensive foreign language courses hinders the ability to understand them. Also, learning a new language is time-consuming, and one has to strive to create time to study modern languages.
References
Bhatia, Tej K., And William C. Ritchie. 2014. The Handbook of Bilingualism and Multilingualism. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons.
Brenna, Sobanski. 2016. Reflections on the Polyglot Self: Multilingual Negotiating Identity. Canadian Ethnic Studies. 48(1), pp.161-173.
Bryk, Anthony S., Louis M. Gomez, Alicia Grunow, and Paul G. Lemahieu. 2015. Learning to Improve: How America’s Schools Can Get Better at Getting Better. Harvard: Harvard Education Press.
Cook, Vivian. 2016. Second Language Learning and Language Teaching. New York: Routledge.
Reynolds, Allan G. (ed). 2014. Bilingualism, Multiculturalism, and Second Language Learning: The Mcgill Conference in Honour of Wallace E. Lambert. New York: Psychology Press.
Sarbari, Bordia and Bordia Prashant. 2014. Employees’ willingness to adopt a foreign functional language in multilingual organisations: The role of linguistic identity. Journal of International Business Studies. 46(4), pp.415-428.
Reflective statement
It was a wonderful experience doing this new research task as it presented an opportunity for me to understand the benefits of learning several languages. Learning a new language is very important in career growth, and therefore it would be very crucial to study more languages.
