Whenever learning a new language is mentioned, most people tend to think of the strict aspects: Adherence to a set of rules of grammar, vocabulary to look up in the dictionary, and the quest for eloquence. It is a hill most people are unwilling to climb.
However, learning a language can be a stress reliever. For language plays a crucial role in the need for expression by humans; it can also be used as an effective tool in managing stress.
Below are a few ways learning can help manage stress:
1. New Worldview
Edward Sapir, an American anthropological linguist, and his student Benjamin Whorf formulated the Sapir-Whorf theory of language in 1929. Their theory states that the semantic structure of a language shapes or limits how a speaker forms conceptions of the world. Their theory explains that the language we speak limits our reality.
For language is a system of thoughts and perceptions, our worldview is limited by how we express ourselves through language. Learning a language can help manage stress, for, in the process, you acquire an entire catalog of new vocabularies, perceptions, and culture that comes with the new language.
Some languages have a culture of self-appreciation and motivation.
Learning such a language can help you appreciate yourself for the much you’ve achieved while motivating you to work towards your goals. With language learning, you can always begin with technical manual translation services, which will help in ease of understanding the vocabulary as you slowly get acquainted with the culture of the language.
2. Striving For Perfectionism
As flawed beings, we always work towards perfectionism. From the most critical aspects of our lives to the shred of our existence, we are under constant pressure to be perfect in our engagements. While doing something to perfection is commendable, striving for perfectionism, as competitive as it is, can increase our stress levels.
Learning a language is a humbling experience where making mistakes is the order of the day. The accolade for perfection in any language is so high that to achieve it, you may have to dedicate your entire life to studying a particular language.
With the dynamic nature of language, perfectionism is almost impossible.
Making mistakes when learning a language makes vital lessons that can help you navigate life and significantly manage your stress level. The lessons can be as follows:
- Making mistakes is natural
- Making mistakes is fun, and there’s nothing to be ashamed of
- Making mistakes shows that you’re learning
- Working on mistakes makes us better
As learned through learning a language, making mistakes will no longer be a potential stress inducer, but a fun way of learning and bettering yourself.
3. Entertainment
Too much work without play makes Jack a dull boy. After a long day at work, a little unwinding to calm our nerves is welcome. Well, learning a language can be your go-to fun activity on such days.
There are thousands of exciting movies and series in foreign languages available on streaming sites for you to watch. You don’t have to put much thought into their pronunciations, but following through with the storyline and reading through the subtitles will be a fun experience.
Occasionally, you’ll hear a word that will make you run to translation apps to grasp its content entirely. You might not end up as eloquent as the actors and actresses in the film, but you’ll have learned a new vocabulary in a new language.
For most people, music is an essential stress reliever. Creating playlists for particular occasions is a widespread practice world over. You can create a playlist in a language you intend to learn.
Try pronouncing some words or even singing along in the language, and you’ll see how fun it can be!
Conclusion
In conclusion, learning a language doesn’t have to be a daunting task. It is a clever and easy way of managing daily stress.
Besides managing stress, learning a new language has numerous benefits, which will only go a long way in making you a happier human being.
Author’s Bio
Melony Hart is a linguistics enthusiast and researcher. She treasures the works of Edward Sapir. When not researching the marvel language, she sits in public spaces to observe human interactions.
