How languages changed my life:
Languages are Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
I went to see the film, Mary Poppins, aged 3. I came away singing a nonsense word and enjoying the way it sounded and the way in which people reacted. It was a magic word which unlocked praise and sweets. I recognised that by listening carefully you could repeat and replicate unknown words which often had hidden magical meanings.
I was fascinated when I heard my Dad speak Spanish for the first time. He managed to get a bargain and a lot of praise by speaking the language of the seller. I tried to follow suit and succeeded in getting a bigger than average piece of chocolate cake for my linguistic efforts.
Growing up in Fife, Scotland, I knew few people who spoke any other languages or used them at work but I did know some…. My Mum’s friend’s brother who lived in Australia but worked for Siemens and had to speak German to work at a senior level in the company. My Great Aunt, who moved to Scotland after the war and spoke a delicious Scottish German, could flip between languages with ease and style.
Languages are a superpower!
What I did learn through travel was that there were enormous benefits for those who spoke the language of the country they visited. You can not only get good service, develop wonderful friendships and extend your music collection but you can also hear the views and comments of the hundreds of people whom you pass in the street. It is like suddenly developing an amazing listening superpower.
Knowing one language gives you the confidence to try others. I have used elementary Hungarian around the dinner table at a farm, spoken for hours to Russians although I have followed only a small percentage of the conversation and navigated my way across Italy by train although I speak only a few words.
I currently manage international education programmes for Durham County Council with partners and friends all over the world. I speak French, German and Spanish and can navigate my way in Italy, Hungary and Russia. Thank goodness for Mary Poppins!
Brian Stobie
- International Durham, Durham County Council
- British Council Schools Ambassador
- Express Yourself: North East Festival of Languages working group
