Speak To Me: Language is Ultimately Social Connection
Languages are numerous, but connection is human. (image by Neeli Clute)
“Language is not a genetic gift, it is a social gift. Learning a new language is becoming a member of the club – the community of speakers of that language.” - Frank Smith
In the last newsletter, “Say what? Brain benefits of learning another language at ANY age”, I highlighted how learning another language can bolster memory retention, enhance vocabulary, and even delay the onset of dementia, making it an enriching endeavor at any age.
In this edition, I want to discuss how communication fosters brain health through social interaction.
Communication is a cornerstone of brain health. It enhances cognitive functions, emotional well-being, and social connectivity. Engaging in meaningful conversations stimulates neural pathways, promoting mental agility and memory retention. I remember distinctly the improvement in my grandmother’s mental acuity when she moved from her single-family home to a retirement community where there were ample opportunities to interact with other people. The social aspects of communication, such as empathy and bonding, release neurochemicals like oxytocin and endorphins, which reduce stress and elevate mood. Most intriguing to me is how the intellectual exchange of ideas and perspectives challenges the brain to think critically and creatively, fostering more robust neural networks.
When these benefits of communication are combined with the process of learning a second language, the advantages are amplified. Speaking more than one language not only improves the brain's executive functions, like problem-solving and multitasking, but also delays the onset of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. The continual practice of switching between languages strengthens the brain's cognitive reserve, making it more resilient to aging.
It is NOT just child’s play.
Mastering a second language can be used as a potent tool for preserving and enhancing brain health, further illustrating the profound impact of communication on cognitive and emotional well-being.
Even Limited Language Skills Can Bolster Social Interaction
Knowing some key phrases and basic vocabulary can be really beneficial. There will be times in our melting pot of a country where you will come across people with limited English. Being able to communicate can make all the difference. I have met war refugees, foreign workers, exchange students, and lost travelers who needed help. I have known just enough to convey important information. I have also been that lost traveler. In a pinch, technology like Google Translate was a life saver, but is not nearly as personal. Only 20% of Americans speak another language compared to 59% of Europeans, which makes sense given the geography, but we forget how many languages are just next door.
Travel and Life Experience Perk
For those who love to travel, reading basic signage, menus, and directions is gold. “Donde esta el baño?” (Where is the bathroom) can come in quite handy when you are coming off a flight where you have made sure to hydrate.
I am shocked at how much more I understand the full meaning of the Hawaiian words I see around me as my vocabulary expands. I was a newbie to the island as a teen and thought “mahalo” meant trash for months. I saw that word printed on all the trash bin lids. I was pretty embarrassed to find out the word “mahalo” actually means “thank you.”
Language is a way to connect on a deeper level
I have found the effort in trying to understand and speak someone’s language is invaluable. Not only is it a phenomenal mental exercise, but it is greatly appreciated. I have seen people go from highly guarded to happily animated in the space of minutes.
Ordering ice cream in Wyoming, I was intrigued by the accent of the young woman at the register. When I asked her what her mother tongue was, she said Russian. I thanked her in Russian and she beamed. She explained that she was from Kazakhstan, a country in Central Asia, with a part in Eastern Europe. Kazakhstan borders Russia to the north and west, China to the east, Kyrgyzstan to the southeast, Uzbekistan to the south, and Turkmenistan to the southwest.
Kazakstan is vast and rugged, full of geographic isolation and diversity. (image by Neeli Clute)
It is easy to feel isolated when your communication is limited. Unfortunately, some people treat those who cannot speak the local language as stupid or invasive. Many people have incredible stories behind their migration that show unimaginable circumstances or inspiring courage. It must be terrifying to be forced out of your homeland. Not to be able to understand the people around you must also be intimidating. Some of these folks do not have a choice if they want to survive. Simply sharing a kind word can be powerful.
“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.” Nelson Mandela
Try it, because you are already doing it anyway
I highly encourage you to challenge your mind by learning a new language. My guess is if you have teenagers in your realm, you will be exposed to the latest vernacular and are learning a few new terms already. Language is ever evolving, as I realized quite clearly when I saw the shock on my kids face about the fact that “google it” was never a term when I was their age. In fact, “google” is an English word that just 20 years ago almost no one in common society had heard of. For those who are curious, the definition of “google” is an almost unimaginably large number signified by a 1 with 100 zeros behind it. Which is NOTHING close to our concept of it in today’s world.
But, I digress... When saying “I love you” got to be too embarrassing for my teenage daughter to hear or say in middle school when I dropped her off, we agreed to use sign language instead. We evolved into much more comfortable territory for her and it became a beloved way to say goodbye to each other.
"I love you" in American Sign Language. (image from Canva, not my daughter 😁)
This idea applies to connecting with those who are Neurodiverse as well. There is a large community of people who do not communicate in traditional English. Whether it is sign language or language limited by autism, speech impediments, or other brain variations, learning to communicate in multiple ways expands your ability to read people and connect. It is truly about staying engaged and evolving in ever-expanding ways that are full of conscious connection.
One of my favorite quotes in life is:
“No one cares how much you know (or say) until they know how much you care” - Theodore Roosevelt
People usually need to connect emotionally before they can exchange ideas intellectually. This means that even rational discussions and decisions have an emotional undertone, so it's important to connect emotionally when trying to appeal to someone's intellect. This concept is especially important for organizational leaders, teachers, and coaches. People will not follow leadership fully without trust. Appreciating the culture of those you are interacting with is a highly effective way to connect emotionally, even with limited fluency.
To sum it up
Learning new languages has a tremendous array of benefits to those who want to expand their minds and continue to develop both their cognitive and emotional intelligence. Never has it been so easy to spend a short amount of time each day trying it out.
The world is a tapestry of languages and cultures waiting to be explored. Try a new language today, and enrich both your mind and spirit! You might be surprised at just how fun it is to interact in a completely new way.
A hui hou! (until we meet again in Hawaiian)