I became enamoured with the idea of studying languages when I heard a mesmerising 972 recording of African civil rights leader, Stephen Biko, speaking to members of the South African Students Organisation (SASO).
Biko had founded the group in 969 as a and political policy of racial segregation and discrimination against South Africa’s native people. Biko spoke to his compatriots in their native tongue, and although I did not understand the powerful symbolism of speaking to a displaced and oppressed people in their own language, instead of that of their oppressors, Biko’s followers certainly did; loud cheer arose as the beloved leader addressed the crowd.
Whereas the message would not have been the same if Biko had delivered it in English,seen as the language of the oppressors, speaking in the common tongue of the people made the messenger an ally, and the mere act of speaking the language made his words a rally cry. Since wars have been fought and people’s lives sacrificed because ideas have became lost in translation, language is no minor technicality. Rather, it serves as the currency of humanity. Freedom, respect, and common dignity can be bought and sold with a well-spoken word. How we communicate changes the course of history.
I wish to study modern, living languages so that I may continue working with people who have recently come to this country. As a volunteer teacher’s aid in London, I have experienced the challenges of fostering communication when two parties do not share a common spoken language. I worked with the children of immigrants, many of whom could not speak English, and it was our responsibility to explain the teacher’s notes. Ultimately, we succeeded in communicating with our students through pictures and gestures, and in time the children grew to trust us, facilitating their learning and forging a solid bond between student and mentor.
I feel that working with immigrants carries the utmost importance, as the transition to a new country presents many unforeseen hardships. The decision to abandon one’s homeland and venture to another land to seek a better life requires several adjustments, most of them intangible.
I envisage myself as an aid to the brave individuals to make this choice to assist in easing the change in environment. I may one day even be able to combine my musical gifts with my linguistic skills by translating lyrics from English into other languages.
A simple statement of reassurance, encouragement, or peaceful intent spoken in one’s native tongue can turn fear into faith, or anger into alliance.
Besides this practical use of a language degree, the history of language and how spoken languages have evolved from ancient times interest me profoundly. Superficially, the world’s countless number of languages appears to consist of vastly contrasting tongues, differences which have fuelled conflict throughout human history; however, knowledge of language history and the study of linguistic origins create an understanding of the commonalities between languages.
Emphasising the similarities instead of the differences in our primary form of communication will assist in the building of bridges between cultures previously seen as separated by a chasm of misunderstanding and prejudice.
As language is the medium through which all other disciplines are expressed, the study of language is a noble academic field.
With a languages degree, I will be more capable of understanding the people and situations in my environment. I will succeed in reaching my goals. Although I may never have to participate in a struggle as Stephen Biko did before his untimely death caused by his expression of ideas,
I feel that my contribution will be just as important to the lives of individual people who choose to come to the United Kingdom.
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