Some people believe that learning a language is only useful when visiting a country where it is spoken or if someone doesn’t speak a word of your own and there are no interpreters to come to the rescue.  Personally, I believe that by subscribing to that theory, you are cutting yourself off from the beauty of linguistics and diversity of cultures across the world. Ever since I can remember, I have always been fascinated by language and its origins. As a child, I enjoyed (and still do.) watching/listening to Disney films and songs in different languages.  At school, I exceled at French and got “Linguist of the Half-Term” many terms.   

During my time at college, I stumbled across a term ‘Hyperlexia’ on Instagram, a condition closely associated with autism and other neurodivergences such as cerebral palsy which causes advanced reading/writing comprehension and a lifelong fascination with language.    

I finally had a term for this love of mine and used it to explain to my teachers why I had such an extensive vocabulary. Unlike previous staff, they saw it as a strength. In my first year at Sussex, I had a wonderful lecturer and as an act of gratitude, I started learning their mother tongue (Italian). Nearly two years later, I am on the road to fluency! Since then, whenever I meet someone, I ask them to teach me some words/phrases in their native language (if it’s not English) to use when I next see them. I have learnt bits of Czech, Yiddish, BSL... and have every intention of adding to my collection.    

Through this approach, I have also befriended other staff on campus, such as cleaners and baristas and even got free ice cream at a restaurant! Learning another language not only sparks conversation but opens a window into a different culture and way of thinking. As a Creative Writing student, I love to incorporate other languages into my poetry and stories- It’s like dipping in and out of hues: Rita Dove once said “Language is the road map of culture, it tells you where its people come from and where they are going.” So, go on. Learn another language and see what path you carve... You may charm staff into giving you free food too!  

Interested in learning a language? There are a number of language short courses available at Sussex or practice your language and meet new people at the ever popular Language Cafe.  

Matilda Barrowman studies Creative Writing at the University of Sussex. She has a particular fascination with Language and Linguistics and is also a keen disability activist, committed to collaborating with others and creating positive change.