Does being a bilingual affect the way we communicate?

 

Language and communication is a combination that is always interesting to discuss. Is it true that these two variables really have an effect on each other? Especially if we could speak another language aside from our native language, or known as billingual. Without language, we definitely will have difficulty in communicating with someone. The existence of language becomes very essential as the communication tool for us to connect and understand people. The presence of many languages around the world could be an advantage for us to expand our insights because each language is unique and it has their own structures. It’s fascinating how we are able to unite with each other with this communication tool.

The question is, does being a bilingual affect the way we communicate?

With the spread of globalization around the world, it’s quite often to find people who can speak two or more languages. Either it is a necessity because of where they live, or because of their own will to learn the language. In order for a communication to be effective, there are three influences, namely proficiency, emotionality and personality of the language. As mentioned before, each language is unique. One’s attitude to a certain language may different to others because they have their own personal experiences in regards of that language. Therefore, the way they deliver speech could be different depending on their language.

Let’s say your native language is Indonesian and your second language is English. If your proficiency in English is still not quite good, how would it feel if you are required to speak in front of many people in English? Try to compare it when you speak in Indonesian. Or maybe try to imagine being in a court and you must state your testimony. Which language would you prefer to speak?

It’s actually a question with a definite answer, certainly you choose to speak in your native language. Why? Because that language is your comfort language, meaning you don't have to worry too much about other people not understanding you. By speaking in your native language, it usually shows a higher level of proficiency in the language. In principle, the higher the proficiency, the more likely for us to achieve successful communication. Because basically, someone with low proficiency may believe that communication a big challenge for them. By speaking English, or your second language, you may feel your speech are becoming stiff, you feel less confident, or you feel  hard to pronounce certain words, and many else. This may happen if your level of proficiency is low.

It comes to a question, will someone always be more fluent in their native language rather than their the second language? Not necessarily. There are people who are more fluent in speaking with their second language because they have been accustomed to speaking in that language and rarely use their native language. It might happen anytime and anywhere. Whatever the language is, it usually will affects the way we use our language in certain kind of context.

Another example, let's say you are an Indonesian studying in a university in Australia. And then, you met a lot of new people and gain some new friends. The way you talk to the teacher, or the way you joke with your friends will most likely be different in Australia when compared to Indonesia. Why? The usage of English itself is in a different context, which is in Australia. They have different culture and also different environment. So that we can communicate effectively and accurately, we will tend to follow the culture and the flow in Australia. Thus, it made us adjust our speech delivery depending on the language and context.

So, do you really want to know what would it be to be a billingual person? Try it yourself by learning a new language! No information that are more trustworthy enough than personal experience. See you next time!


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Name: Sakina Thifal Khansa
NIM: 112011133046
Subject: Communication Skills – IUP
Type: Essay in Blog
Essay 3 (Essay in Blog-Individual)
Faculty of Psychology
Universitas Airlangga

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Reference:

Itzhak, I., Vingron, N., Baum, S. R., & Titone, D. (2017). Bilingualism in the real world: How proficiency, emotion, and personality in a second language impact communication in clinical and legal settings. Translational Issues in Psychological Science, 3(1), 48–65. https://doi.org/10.1037/tps0000103

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