“The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.” Ludwig Wittgenstein

Like most of us, I was given the opportunity to learn a new language as one of my chosen electives back in high school. Having just been forced to suffer through basic french all through middle school and not really enjoying the process I quickly dismissed the idea of tackling a new more challenging language.

I had no connection to Mandarin, Cantonese, or Spanish; to me, they seemed like difficult courses that had no immediate impact on my life. After all, I didn’t know anyone who was Oriental or Spanish so why would I need to know their language?

After high school, I stepped out into the real world and my views quickly shifted. I realized what a big world we lived in and I yearned to travel and see more of it. I wanted to step outside the limited cultural views that I had grown up with and explore the rich history and diverse perspectives the rest of globe had to offer.

Sadly without a connection to any specific culture, I was left undecided as to where I should go and explore. This indecision rapidly turned into no decision as I began my career and became increasingly bogged down by life’s many distractions.

Eventually, I shelved my dreams of cultural exploration and settled for a more simple, local lifestyle.

Missed opportunities

It’s so easy to view the world solely through the scope of our own limited perspective. We so often prejudge things as unnecessary or unimportant just because we don’t see their immediate benefit.

As I look back at my decision to brush off learning a language I can’t help but think about what an impact it’s had on my life. I can’t believe what an idiot I was and what an opportunity I missed out on. I can only imagine the doors it would have opened and the places it would have lead me.

Sell me on a language

When I was younger I wish someone would have sat me down and really sold me on why learning a language would be such an incredible investment to my life.

Instead of just checking a box on a course selection form, I wish my teachers, mentors and parents would have shared what amazing opportunities knowing a language could have given me.

They should have told me about the personal connection I could have made new cultures by communicating with someone in their own language. I would have loved to have known the value of how other cultures perceived their world and how they saw my own.

They should have instilled the opportunities I could have gained by tapping into the ever-growing migration of different cultures here to my own community. And someone should have shown me how amazing it would have been to travel to a completely different region of the world and not feel lost, scared or alone.

If not now, then when?

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” – Chinese Proverb

After years of regret from my unfulfilled dream, I’ve finally decided that I can no longer procrastinate this desire away. This month I will recommit to learning a language and see where my love for cultural exploration can take me.

I have decided to start with learning Chinese and even though this is probably (definitely) one of the most difficult languages to learn, I feel it’s also one of the most interesting.

Chinese is steeped in rich cultural history and the language is a literal representation of their culture both in how their characters are formed and the deep meaning behind each of one.

Chinese culture is also something I have an opportunity to connect with here locally as well. There is a vast Chinese community right here in Kelowna that I would love to explore and better immerse myself in.

My dreams of traveling the world may not yet be a reality, but I feel like this is a large first step in the right direction. I still wish I would have started this journey many years ago but if this year of ‘personal challenges‘ has taught me anything it’s that great change can come by just taking one small first step.