Learning Languages

Language has been a difficult part of my life. During my elementary school it is compulsory to learn a variety of types of languages. The first language that I learned in school was Malay it was the language of native land speakers, the second language that I was asked to learn was Chinese and followed by English. When conversing with my Malay peers speaking the language of the native was crucial, Mathematics was taught in Malay, Sciences was taught in Chinese. Hence, both languages weren’t a language to be ignored. Language is a form of communication and it is considered to be a solely human mode of communication as a consequence being able to specialize in multilingual one has to face many challenges.

Firstly, learning a second or third language one has to face multiple challenges. Forcing someone to learn a language as their second or third language is inappropriate; as a consequence it would result in abhorrence. At home, Chinese was one of the primarily language to be spoken if an inappropriate phrase or words are used the consequences would be severe. Chinese was the language I was force to learn under the influence of my parents. For them it’s a cheerful frame of mind, reinforced by relaxation. From my prospective point of view it’s more like a medicine that puts all ghosts of fear on the run. During my elementary school I attended a Chinese school whilst Chinese was a compulsory language. Barbara Mellix was a student who graduated with a master’s degree in creative writing from the University of Pittsburg her article “From outside in” was published in the Georgia review in the summer of 1987. As pointed out by Mellix in her article she highlighted her childhood experience was similar to mine. She portrays herself being ...

... middle of paper ...

... legitimacy of myself. Until I am free to write bilingually and to switch codes without having to translate, while I still have to speak English or Spanish when I would rather speaks Spanglish” (288) Anzaldua clearly express the challenges she faced being multilingual one have to be prepared to forgo another language.

In conclusion as Melix, Achebe and Anzaldua pointed out in their article being multilingual one has to face many obstacles. Forcing to learn a new language as a second or third language may result in a disappointment. Code switching is often used when speaking different languages to different peer group. And Last but not least Fluency in languages is crucial one has to face criticism if an inappropriate language is used. However, if these challenges are overcome it will yield many upsides such as better communications, personal relationship and etc.