Did you know that experts estimate that approximately half of the world population is bilingual?
But speaking multiple languages has more benefits than just understanding menu items or communicating with family members.
In fact, the benefits of speaking multiple languages can help you both in your personal life and in your professional life.
Ready to learn more? Keep reading to learn about the five hidden benefits of knowing more than one language.
1.Improved Communication Skills and Empathy
If you grew up as a multilingual child, chances are you were exposed to more diverse perspectives. Understanding other people’s perspectives helps you to become a better communicator.
This improved communication doesn’t stop at kids. Adult speakers of another language actually get better at empathizing with others.
Scientists think this is because your brain focuses only on the language you need to communicate with the other person. This means you get better at reading others when communicating.
2.More Career Opportunities
In today’s competitive job market, knowing how to speak another language is a huge boost to your resume.
It puts you above other potential candidates. This is especially true if you’re applying to a company with a global presence.
One of the benefits of being bilingual (which includes the benefits of being trilingual) is that you can qualify for better pay. This can be because your company might promote you to other positions.
For example, you could help build relationships with international clients and stakeholders.
3.Help Your Company Go Global
Learning another language can also help your company establish a global presence.
If we take Greek as an example, your business messaging wouldn’t only target Greece itself. It would also target anywhere there is a large Greek diaspora.
And if you want to translate your business’ content into a language like Greek but you don’t know the language, then get a qualified translation service like www.dtstranslates.com to help.
4.Understand Other Cultures
Although travel can help you understand other cultures, language fluency helps you get a more authentic experience.
Not only can you talk to locals who may not speak English or your primary language, but you’ll get to know how they think and how they see the world.
And when you know the other language well enough to be fluent, you’ll get to chat with locals about deeper topics (rather than only asking them for directions)
5.Cognitive Benefits
As with any new skill, learning another language has a slew of cognitive benefits.
These include improving your memory, increasing problem-solving skills, and better concentration.
Plus, being bilingual or trilingual decreases mental aging. It also decreases the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Reap the Benefits of Speaking Multiple Languages
In today’s globalized society, the time you invest in learning to speak more than one language is well worth it.
From helping your business expand its reach to increasing your understanding of different cultures, speaking multiple languages is now a vital skill both for your personal and your professional life.
If you enjoyed this article, be sure to check out more blog posts from our lifestyle category.
