SEC - S10W2 | My Languages.

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Language has been since the beginning of human history, it is an indispensable and basic tool in our life, a bridge of communication between people, communities, countries, and the world at large. Language could be spoken, written, sign, body, or lip languages and we can use any of these to express ourselves. I can't imagine a world without language, I mean how will we express ourselves, and communicate with one another? Language is so important! It is deeply entrenched in our various cultures.

In this article I will write about my native languages, the ones I've studied, and other languages I will love to learn. I hope you will enjoy reading through as I will follow the guiding questions.

HOW MANY LANGUAGES DO YOU SPEAK? WHICH OF THEM ARE YOUR NATIVE LANGUAGES, AND WHICH ONES HAVE YOU STUDIED?

I'm from Nigeria and Akwa Ibom is my state, my country is known to be one of the most linguistically diverse countries with more than 500 Spoken languages, our major languages include, Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Tiv, Ibibio, Nigerian Pidgin language and Nigerian sign language, etc. Our official language is English. My state Akwa Ibom has more than 20 Spoken languages including Ibibio, Annang, Uruan, Oron, Ekid, etc. Among these languages I can speak Ibibio, English, Nigerian Pidgin, and Ekid.

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My mother tongue is Ibibio, so I can speak, write and read Ibibio fluently and effortlessly, same goes with English language because my elder siblings normally use it frequently at home and I also studied it right from pre-school till I finished the University so it was easy to speak, write and read this two Languages.

I learned Nigerian Pidgin during my university years, it's broken English and I love this language so much, I like using it when gisting (chatting, conversing) with friends, I didn't study this language, I was just listening and observing others and learn during the process, I can read this language too but I can't write the same goes with Ekid, it is my husband's mother's tongue, I know the language through listening and observing.

I studied French language during my secondary school days, so I know and understand most basics of this language.

WHAT METHODS HAVE YOU USED TO LEARN OTHER LANGUAGES?

Learning Ibibio, English, Nigerian Pidgin, and Ekid was not hard for me because I have close people like parents, siblings, and friends who speak these languages frequently, so I learned these unconsciously coupled with the fact that I studied Ibibio and English right from my nursery school.

For the French Language, I was consistent while learning it, I used to carry out all my homework and assignment, read books in it, watch French movies that are being translated into English then I practiced it, you know it is said to practice makes perfect, I wasn't scared of or shy away from making mistakes, because I know I would rather be learned in the process.

IN ADDITION TO THE ONES YOU ALREADY SPEAK, WHAT OTHER LANGUAGE WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN?

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To be very sincere I'm not very good at learning a new language I don't know I normally feel that I know one of the most spoken languages in the world which is [English] so I was restrained from learning others, but after I joined Steemit I'm kinda fascinated by Spanish and Indonesian languages so if I'm opportune I will love to learn these two Languages. Through their expressions here I can say Spanish people are full of Enthusiasm, and love but they're emotional too, Indonesians are sympathetic and generous, I've learned these through their posts, and I use to translate their meaning, I know I've lost some emotions that come with their writing while translating, so if I can read and speak their languages that will help me to understand them well, and be closer to them.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE THE MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT LEARNING ANOTHER LANGUAGE?

It's not easy to learn and speak a new language fluently, except if you're gifted, this is because language is connected to culture, it's not all about speaking but expressing ourselves with emotions matters. What I consider to be most difficult about learning a new language is getting the intonation and pronunciation right, mastering all the sounds too, both vowels and consonants, the stress patterns, etc.

WHY DO YOU THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO MASTER SEVERAL LANGUAGES?

• Knowing the diverse language will open more opportunities for the speaker, and it's an added advantage, for example, if a polyglot and a monoglot apply for a job, a polyglot will likely be employed because he/she will break the language barrier.

• Speaking other nationality languages will show that we love and respect the people, and they will likely reciprocate. It reduces discrimination both at home and abroad.

• It broadens our perspective of the world, and we will be able to come to know people better, and why they are acting or thinking in a particular way. It will help us to expand our vocabulary and enhance our memory and listening skills.

• Learning other languages will be a plus for me in Steemit because I will be able to interact with fellow users more, I will be able to understand them well, understand their cultures, and appreciate their art, music, cuisine, philosophy, etc. It's a time core to liberal education.

Speaking a foreign language attracts kindness and protection from negative vibes. This is my post about language, Hello @mesola, @okere-blessing, and @moyeon to join this contest. Thank you!