Learn a Language: A need or a Want?

Most people would likely agree that having their own language is enough to survive and learning a new language will always be an option. If we ponder deeply to what a new language means to anybody who tries to learn it, this lead us to a question- Is learning a language a need or a want?

Considering these factors:

• Family and Friends
• Emigration
• Work
• Travel
• Study
• Culture
• Research
• Religion

Learning a foreign language takes time and dedication. The source of reasons maybe personal, practical or intellectual, these give us a clear view that people have their own definition of how they would classify learning a new language. Most indigenous people would likely agree that something new such as learning a language isn't a need but an option that they may take. An option that is in line with the right to choose and the right to express what they want to do. Indeed, it's factual that we can live and communicate still even we only have one language. On the other hand, some people may agree especially to those who have a partners who have different culture that learning a foreign language is a need, because this is primary vehicle to communicate and to understand the culture that their partners have. For those people who are pursuing a career in different countries, they surely know the significance of learning a language especially the language that is used in the countries that they will be working with.

Everything is relative and opinions are always relative-These are facts. You may define things as primary but anybody could always define it as secondary. This means that even learning a language may always be defined and be classified as a need or a want, Let's leave that alone to ourselves and leave that alone to those who want to define and to classify it as a want or a need.

“You live a new life for every new language you speak. If you know only one language, you live only once.” Indeed, everyone could define it this way, but anybody may live once but if you live it right it may be meaningful enough. How about you? How do you see learning a new language?