How Many Languages?

It is not uncommon to ask a Slovak how many languages he speaks and to find out that he speaks multiple languages. This number increases as he adds those language he understands, but doesn't speak fluently. Of course what is meant by fluent is different for everyone. Often a European's use of the word "non-fluent" stems more from  a desire to be humble rather than most Americans' idea of not knowing much of anything. The most common languages spoken by Slovaks are Slovak, Hungarian, English, Czech, German, and Russian. We saw this same phenomenon in western Europe. We once met a 15 year old who knew 5 languages. He knew English well enough to translate between French and English, and neither one was his mother tongue.

Most Americans get the opportunity to learn Spanish, French, German, or possibly Latin during their educational career. Any languages beyond that would be a rarity. Then, we often don't begin these languages until junior high or worse yet, high school. There are exceptions, thankfully, but I don't think it's the norm to begin in elementary school. If a school does start in elementary school it is often only 15-30 min. a week. That, my friends, is not immersion. Then, as in other educational disciplines, the students are often left wondering if they will ever put it to use. As a result, they study enough to get an A or B as their final grade, but in the back of their mind they may be pondering, "Will I really ever use this?" In the boys' school they have an actual textbook for children and they have English class for 45 min. twice each week. And they begin in 1st grade. By the later years of junior high some can already understand what is being said and can reply in simple sentences.

Now I do realize there isn't (or at least wasn't) much reason to speak another language in America. Our country is large -  those in the midwest can drive for a day in either direction and still be in an English speaking country. Our neighbors to the north, with the exception of Quebec, also speak English. Some of our biggest political allies share our language - such as Australia, England, and others.

I think many Americans are missing an opportunity to reach the world around them. This doesn't necessarily require a move to a foreign country either. It could be in a nearby city, during a missions trip to a metropolis, or even to the other side of town where a particular ethnic group resides. At one time we lived in a suburban area in which many people spoke Spanish. What an opportunity this could be! What a chance to show young people what they could do with their language learning.

Rather than talking about the years they spent studying a language in high school only to hardly remember how to say, "How are you?" fifteen years later, maybe we should emphasize the ministry possibilities this knowledge could enable. The motivation in Europe is simple. Do you want a good job? Learn English or German. Do you want to travel internationally? Learn English. Do you want to speak the languages of the countries around you? Learn Hungarian, German, Czech, or Polish. There is not necessarily an eternal viewpoint in mind, but shouldn't the spread of the gospel message be even more important than these practical motivations? That is why Americans should learn another language. That is why we are learning another language. No, it's now easy and it's definitely not always fun. It takes a lot of work and we make lots of mistakes. We could "survive" with English or a base understanding of Slovak, but if we want to minister to the people, we have to be able to communicate at a deeper level than, "Mam rada pizzu." (I like pizza.)

So, dust off those language books, get out the cassettes (okay, maybe just buy Rosetta Stone), and strive to use the words you learn as a way to minister to others.