A Joyous Celebration

By Janelle Tang, age 17, United Kingdom

As children, our mother instilled in my brother and me the value of acquiring life skills. “It sets you apart,” she would say. While my brother chose the path of mastering musical instruments, I gravitated towards the realm of languages. Growing up in a multilingual household where Mandarin, Cantonese, and English intermingled, it felt natural to continue exploring new linguistic possibilities.

Languages fascinated me. I was captivated by the way words gracefully rolled off tongues, the enchanting melodies embedded within different accents, and how each language seemed to unlock a door to an entirely new world, no matter how challenging they were to learn.

Eager to venture beyond Asian languages, it was my mother who suggested French as a suitable starting point. The elegance and poetic charm of the language quickly mesmerized me. The melodic flow and the way the words effortlessly danced off my tongue evoked a thrilling sensation, fuelling my desire to delve deeper into its intricacies. Interestingly, despite my passion and aptitude for it, French proved to be the language that took the longest to fully grasp. Nevertheless, I persisted with unwavering determination to expand my linguistic repertoire.

After realizing that Spanish wasn’t the right fit for me, I found myself immersed in the fascinating world of German. Its harsh and dynamic phonetics stood in stark contrast to French, yet it intrigued me on a profound level. Being enrolled in a German-speaking school accelerated my progress, and within two years, my command of German surpassed my years of studying French. As time passed, I added Latin, Ancient Greek, and Japanese to my linguistic arsenal. Collecting foreign books became a cherished ritual, serving as stepping stones towards mastery of these languages, even if they held little practical use in everyday conversation. Opening those books and facing new words to memorize was often the most challenging part of my week, and I confronted frustration and annoyance regularly. Yet, I learned to embrace these moments as an integral part of the learning process.

While claiming mastery of these languages would be premature, I am confidently navigating the path toward proficiency. Learning languages has opened a realm of possibilities for me. It has enabled me to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds, bridging cultural gaps through the power of communication.

By reading literature in its original form, I savour the subtleties and nuances that can be lost in translation. Traveling to different countries, I navigate unfamiliar territories with familiarity, immersing myself in local customs and traditions. Language has transcended being merely a skill or a means of communication—it has shaped my worldview. It has allowed me to perceive things through different lenses, appreciate the beauty of diversity, and comprehend that language is not just a tool, but a gateway to empathy and understanding.

In essence, speaking multiple languages is not a mere accomplishment; it is a joyous celebration of the rich tapestry of human expression. For me, it serves as a powerful tool to forge connections with others on a profound level, where humanity unites in a shared pursuit of compassion, harmony, and mutual respect.

By Janelle Tang, age 17, United Kingdom. She is a rising senior at Wycombe Abbey School in England. In addition to languages and writing, she is also interested in arts and is the Head of History of Art Society at her school. Her two paintings will be added to in the ART BY YOUTH section.