Why Spanish?
The very idea of learning language has always intrigued me; of how two different groups of people completely isolated from one another can assign completely different vocal patterns to the exact same objects and ideas. Every language has its own culture, its own history, traditions, and beliefs. I am taking Spanish in order to learn more about different cultures and how to better communicate with others in a clear and direct manner. My generation seems to be infatuation with adding fillers into every sentence they speak; such as “like” and “ya-know” with no other purpose than to stall for time in order to communicate their thoughts through words. In the article, “Some side benefits of learning both a foreign language and a foreign culture,” by Air Force Captain Mark Jacobsen, who spent time in Jordan learning Arabic, mentions how, “As a student of a second language, you learn a lot about communication. You learn to appreciate people who speak clearly, slowly, and in a direct way. You are frustrated by those who speak quickly and use lots of slang or jargon. As your ear gets attuned to these characteristics, you begin to analyze your own speech -- and the speech of other Americans.” Learning Spanish will not only open up communication to a wide variety of people and cultures, it will also teach me how to speak clearly and concisely within the English language.