Those for whom multilingualism is a foreign (pun intended) concept are probably wondering why in the world I would want to trouble myself learning Italian. My family doesn't come from Italy and I'm not going there to live or work, so why bother?
The truth is that I just love languages. Every new language offers me a new insight into a different culture, a new way of experiencing the world, and a whole new set of possible friends. I love to travel and when I travel, I love to talk to people. It isn't just that it's handy to be able to ask directions or read the captions in the museums, although those skills are certainly useful. I like being able to chat with the old woman sitting next to me on the bus. I'm curious. I just don't want to miss out on anything.
Today, I attended my first session of a meetup group that gets together on Sunday morning to speak Spanish and I remembered something else I love about studying languages. I really enjoy other people who love languages. What a marvelous group of interesting people of all ages and backgrounds! In general, the people I have met who study languages simply because they want to are intelligent, curious, well traveled and open-minded. Getting up early on Sunday isn't usually my thing, but I know that I'll be doing so again.
I'm a language addict.
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