Multilingualism
In our increasingly globalised world, multilingualism has moved from a nice-to-have skill to a critical asset. By now, it is pretty well-known that speaking multiple languages connects you to diverse cultures, enhances cognitive abilities, and offers unique career advantages. So why is multilingualism necessary in 2024?
Why Multilingualism?
Did you know that there are over 7,000 languages spoken around the world? Being multilingual not only opens doors to different regions, markets, and communities but also plays a crucial role in achieving success because it allows you to be in touch with billions of people.
Conversely, there are around 3.3 billion bilingual individuals globally, making up 43% of the population. How does this impact you when seeking an international job?
Career Advantages
Multilingualism sets you apart in competitive job markets, especially in sectors like international business, technology, healthcare, and law, where cross-cultural communication is vital. Proficiency in languages like German, Mandarin, French, or Arabic opens doors to global economies and international organisations.
Cognitive Benefits
Learning multiple languages sharpens problem-solving, creativity, and memory, enhancing skills like multitasking and adaptability—qualities highly valued in today’s fast-paced companies. Each language you learn develops different parts of the brain, boosting mental agility.
Cultural Connections
Multilingualism enriches your worldview, enabling deeper connections and help you be more empathetic. Each language you learn offers new ways to experience the world, whether it is through conversations, traditions, art or a simple idiom.
Getting Started: Language Tips
Set Goals: Focus on one language at a time and set a goal every week. For example, you could learn 5 new words this week in French (my favourite way of doing this is using Post-It notes and sticking them on various things around the house. I always see them with the corner of my eye even if I don't directly want to learn them! They are following you around!
Immerse Yourself: Surround yourself with the language (start listening to podcasts, put YouTube videos on in the target language and even change your phone settings to the language you're learning. This helps your linguistic development.
Consistent practice: Everything you wish to learn takes a long amount of time before you master it. It isn't different with language learning. It is better to do a little every day than a lot only a few times a month therefore, aim for daily practice, even if just for 10-15 minutes.
Love your practice : Whatever you practice, make it enjoyable! If you enjoy reading, then why not start reading an English novel? You will find amazing books online for free. (Online dictionaries are a good tool when reading).
Do you enjoy video games? Why not try listening to gamers speaking in Italian? It will challenge you for sure, but you are practising while also doing what you love.
Do you love make-up? Find French-speaking make-up artists on YouTube and listen to their tutorials. It will do wonders for your listening skills!
Kickstart with Basic Greetings
French basic greetings
Bonjour – /bɔ̃.ʒuʁ/(Hello / Good morning)
Salut – /sa.ly/(Hi / Bye – informal)
Bonsoir – /bɔ̃.swaʁ/(Good evening)
Bonne nuit – /bɔn nɥi/(Good night)
Ça va? – /sa va/(How are you?)
Comment ça va? – /kɔ.mɑ̃ sa va/(How's it going?)
Enchanté(e) – /ɑ̃.ʃɑ̃.te/(Nice to meet you)
Bienvenue – /bjɛ̃.və.ny/(Welcome)
À bientôt – /a bjɛ̃.to/(See you soon)
À demain – /a də.mɛ̃/(See you tomorrow)
À plus tard – /a ply taʁ/(See you later)
Au revoir – /o ʁə.vwaʁ/(Goodbye)
Comment tu t'appelles? – /kɔ.mɑ̃ ty ta.pɛl/(What's your name? – informal)
Je m'appelle… – /ʒə ma.pɛl/(My name is…)
Excusez-moi – /ɛk.sky.ze mwa/(Excuse me / Sorry)
These are handy greetings that will help start a friendly conversation in French!
Arabic basic greetings
(please read from right to left)
مرحباً – /mar.ħab.an/(Hello)
أهلاً وسهلاً – /ʔah.lan wa sah.lan/(Welcome)
السلام عليكم – /ʔæs.sa.laː.mu ʕa.laj.kum/(Peace be upon you)
و عليكم السلام – /wa ʕa.laj.kum æs.sa.laːm/(And peace be upon you too) – response to السلام عليكم
صباح الخير – /sˤa.baː.ħul xajr/(Good morning)
صباح النور – /sˤa.baː.ħun nuːr/(Morning of light) – response to صباح الخير
مساء الخير – /ma.saː.ʔul xajr/(Good evening)
مساء النور – /ma.saː.ʔun nuːr/(Good evening) – response to مساء الخير
كيف حالك؟kej.fa ħaː.luk/(How are you?) –
إلى اللقاء – /ʔi.la li.qaːʔ/(Goodbye)
German basic greetings
Hallo – /ˈha.lo/(Hello)
Guten Morgen – /ˈɡuː.tən ˈmɔʁ.ɡən/(Good morning)
Guten Tag – /ˈɡuː.tən taːk/(Good day / Good afternoon)
Guten Abend – /ˈɡuː.tən ˈaː.bənt/(Good evening)
Gute Nacht – /ˈɡuː.tə naxt/(Good night)
Willkommen – /vɪlˈkɔ.mən/(Welcome)
Wie geht's? – /viː ɡeːts/(How's it going?)
Freut mich – /fʁɔʏt mɪç/(Nice to meet you)
Tschüss – /tʃʏs/(Bye – informal)
Auf Wiedersehen – /aʊ̯f ˈviː.dɐ.zeː.ən/(Goodbye)
Italian basic greetings
Ciao – /ˈtʃa.o/(Hi / Bye – informal)
Buongiorno – /bwɔnˈdʒor.no/(Good morning / Good day)
Buonasera – /bwɔ.naˈse.ra/(Good evening)
Buonanotte – /bwɔ.naˈnɔt.te/(Good night)
Salve – /ˈsal.ve/(Hello – formal)
Benvenuto – /bɛn.veˈnu.to/(Welcome – to a male; for a female: Benvenuta – /bɛn.veˈnu.ta/)
Come stai? – /ˈko.me ˈstai/(How are you? – informal)
Come sta? – /ˈko.me ˈsta/(How are you? – formal)
Piacere – /pjaˈtʃe.re/(Nice to meet you)
Arrivederci – /ar.riveˈdɛr.tʃi/(Goodbye)
Take the Next Step
Join a 12-week beginner language course at InFluent Tutoring, covering languages like Spanish, French, and Italian. For £15, build a strong foundation with expert guidance and interactive lessons.
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