Learning a new language – an attitude problem

Recently I started with learning Dutch, local language here in Belgium. Until I came here, I never had even the slightest idea of learning a foreign language. Well, most of us would probably not think of it either. What else was more important if you know English? That is the mind set of our people. But I realized as soon as I arrived here. There is more than just English in this world. And there is more world outside US, Canada or UK.

When we arrived here to work at an international company, neither did we have the necessity nor the time to learn anything. The only annoying part was when you had to sit between two Belgians or French and hearing them talk in their language. You feel like going mad. Not for the language but for running between their mouths and trying to grasp at least a word. Finally, when I left that company and joined another, I felt how difficult it is to manage without knowing the local language. First of all, it is already difficult if you want to search for a job in non-English speaking countries. People living in such countries can understand my feelings. Secondly, if you happen to be lucky, you cannot stay lucky. No matter whatever you are special at, not knowing the language is a big black mark on you.

When I shifted job, I came to work in an international IT services environment. I was feeling safe. We had a French, a Polish and a couple of locals, which enabled English to be our common language. But my happiness didn’t last for more than two years. When I was back in bench, I was always the last one to be considered for any new assignment because of my known disability. Finally, I got settled with another English speaking environment. Then I made an idea to learn French. Learnt the language for 2 years. But of course, one cannot expect you to speak like locals immediately after this. Especially, when you don’t practice at work or at home.

Soon that came to an abrupt stop, when I had to come back to India due to personal reasons. I was back in Belgium last year with another job. With the same luck this time too. But the sad story was that I began to work at Dutch (Flemish) part of Belgium. French is no good here. Then I started to study Dutch and I’m continuing now. But this is getting a little better because of the intensive training that I took plus the advantage of living in the Dutch part itself.

All through my stay here, I had seen one obvious thing. We, Indians, have this very idea of English being a superior language (of course, when you come out of India). I had seen a lot of situations where when there are more than 2 Indians in a meeting with or without foreigners, they start speaking to each other in their mother tongue (or Hindi). I don’t mean to blame it. But one should understand how difficult it is for the others to follow. Even if you are partly right, you cannot argue back saying “If they do it, why not we?”. Be a Roman when you are in Rome. Have some courtesy when you are in middle of strangers. It so happens that people here host parties, birthday functions and other occasions where they invite foreigners. And forget within few minutes and start talking in your local language. And there is a sudden silence in them. I really feel pity for them. Luckily I’m with a nice team here where everybody understands my position and speak in English during discussions. But when it comes to going out for a dinner or lunch, I choose to drop out. Not for the fact that they might talk in their native language. I don’t want to force them to speak in English, just because I’m there.

Very few Indians (may be 2 or 3) learnt French with me. It was always a problem with us during the class hours or while it comes to practicing the language. I include myself, as I also have the same syndrome. We hesitate to talk in the crowd in the new language just because we cannot tolerate making mistakes. We don’t realize that it is just learning and practicing. And you are expected to make mistakes when you speak., else there is no better way to correct it! In my impression, it’s only we, Indians or people from the Indian subcontinent, that feel making a mistake in something that you are new to, is a shame. It is a matter of your prestige and reputation. But why?! You don’t scold a child when it makes mistake talking. As a teacher, you don’t scold your students if they do a mistake. But it is something to tease and giggle when the same mistake was done by you or a colleague or a friend or a partner. Strangely, however horrible one never quits to talk in English :).

And if at all you made an attempt and landed with a trouble, you always want to cover it up. Best cover up for a mistake is nothing other than accepting it. But we don’t have that generosity. We always want to either blame others, or provide an illogical explanation where you may even not need to say anything. It is inherited from our work culture. Making a mistake at work, in India, is something to be punished, or made fun of. There we start covering it up. It is finally brought into our blood that we even want to cover up our mistakes to our kids.

It is a billion dollar question on whether this attitude would change. Few learn it easily. And a few, in a more painful way.