Kenyan and Living in France

Imagine walking down the streets of Paris as a tourist. Suddenly, you’re a tad hungry and decide to stop by the nearest bakery to grab something. However, your vocabulary in French is limited to “Bonjour” and “Ça va?” Do you think you’ll be able to navigate the conversation with the lady at the bakery? Of course not. Language learning is crucial in such a scenario and many others.

When I started learning French, my goal was to improve my #communication skills because I was planning to travel to #France. I didn’t want to get stuck at the airport or bus station simply because I couldn’t read the signs or ask for help. Surprisingly, learning the language did more than that. I got to connect with the French people easily and best of all, my confidence and self-esteem when conversing went up.

As a #Kenyan, French language graduate, I can confirm that every language is deeply tied to its culture. Take Swahili, for instance. Some expressions in Swahili reflect different levels of politeness. Salutations vary with age, context, and social structure. Likewise, you can challenge and dismantle stereotypes that arise from misinformation or a lack of understanding. For example, learning a language often exposes you to the culture and values of its speakers, helping to dispel misconceptions, such as the idea that certain customs or traditions are strange or outdated.

No one ever told me that building linguistic abilities stimulates your brain. I studied it because I planned to visit France, remember? The brain gets stronger and more put to use due to constantly being challenged to recall new words and grammatical structures. How do I know that? When I started learning French, I slowly began doing well in other subjects of my course. By adapting and thinking creatively in another language, I enhanced my problem-solving abilities.

I always thought that learning French would only lead me to a teaching job at a high school or, if luck was on my side, a university. But to my surprise, it opened far more doors than I had imagined—both in my home country, Kenya, and in remote roles around the globe. Careers as language assistants, #translators, and #interpreters are just the beginning. Bilingual individuals can engage in meaningful experiences that result in career development. Many employers value them as they are a key in networking and interaction. In the competitive job market, especially in fields like business and tourism, bilingual people stand out and often earn high salaries.

In my experience, learning a new language contributes to personal growth, whether you are doing it for cultural connections, career opportunities, or communication. Given the information above and as an adventurer, I am currently learning a new language every six months. I’d like to take you on this journey! My name is Dorcus Mmbone, I am your LinguaTopian Content Guide for all things languages!