In the last two years, the world has witnessed a dynamic change while overcoming the pandemic that shook everyone’s life drastically. While some lost lives, some learned to pull through and in the midst of all these quandaries we realized that irrespective of one’s language, we united for a single cause. In fact, knowing multiple languages has helped us overcome a pandemic that almost brought the world to its knees

It is popularly said, “To have another language is to possess a second soul”. Multilingualism has connected people across all borders irrespective of their nationality and this has led to a wider networking and connectivity that has helped people establish cordial relationships. Language is just not about the words we speak. It’s more about the emotional connection, the feelings, and more importantly the body language that one encompasses. The biggest add-on that raises the importance of language is how it brings us closer to the culture which defines who we are. Our deep-rooted culture is established with our native tongue where again, language has a deep connection to share with. Scientific research has proved that knowing multiple languages can enhance thinking skills as well as memory among young teens and that medical research has concluded how one’s brain size gradually increases upon learning a new language. Also, in this era of cut-throat competition where the best survives, it would be ideally good in terms of job opportunities if one learns a foreign language. For instance, knowing German can help us communicate with the local people in towns and villages around Germany. Language has brought us, humans, closer when it comes to communication. From online shopping to various sectors like healthcare, digital marketing, and even education, there are multiple languages through which one can navigate or learn. A noteworthy example of someone who raised the bars of language development is our 2018 Padma Shri awardee A Zakia, a prominent journalist and writer from the southern Mizoram town of Siaha. He was honoured with the nation’s fourth-highest civilian award for his contribution to Mara literature and journalism when the language was gradually fading. In times when our government is exercising new education policies in the education sectors, it’s also important for teachers to know the importance of language. A teacher’s job is not just to teach but to take a bunch of live wires and see that they are well-grounded. And that comes with a strong connection and communication when the foundation of language between the students and the teacher is very strong. That’s the impact a language can bring even in a classroom besides its influence globally

In this fast-paced world, while we run behind fame, money, and for all the materialistic things that the world offers us, we must remember that we humans exist because of communication, and that comes with the language that we speak to each other. Besides the cognitive and academic excellence that language offers, it is more important and vital that we realise that the biggest tribute we younger generation can contribute is to respect every language especially our native one. Let’s all remember that language is the road map of our culture. We should not take it for granted. The origin of we homo-sapiens lies in our language, culture, and diversity.

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