You might be wondering what to surprise them with this year? Maybe the usual flowers. Dinner and chocolate? Well, how about booking some lessons to learn the language of your significant other? Although this might seem like an unusual gift, the surprise alone is sure to put a smile on their face. Not only will this action be appreciated, research has shown that surprises have incredible health benefits such as enhanced memory, increased happiness and strengthened relationships.
With the increase of multicultural relationships around the world, the ability to communicate with one another has never been more vital. A study conducted in 2010 examined couples and their text messages. They found that the more two people “sounded” alike, or mirrored each other’s words and language structure, the more likely they were to be dating three months later.
Whether you are in a long distance relationship or just looking to grow closer to each other’s culture, this will be the most romantic gesture you make yet. Here are some reasons why learning your partner’s language with Learn&Co will be beneficial for you both.
- Grow closer together through their culture
- Meet the original version of your partner
- Becoming bilingual is a great asset
- Connect emotionally
Grow closer together through their culture
Seamless communication
Throughout the years, there has been an increase in multicultural relationships across the globe. In 1967, just 3% of American marriages were between interracial couples. Today, 17% of newlyweds are entering an interracial marriage, which is around 11 million men and women.
As technology has created seamless communication across borders, falling for someone has never been easier. What our phones fail to acknowledge is the lack of understanding that comes with being from different cultures. It takes patience, trust and enthusiasm to learn more about a culture, especially when it’s your partner’s.
Understand them better
The closer you become with one another, the more you realise the different traditions, religions, usage of the language and ethnicity influence their identity. You might think you already understand your partner well enough, as they explain things to you when and if necessary.
Did you know that Google translate ranges from 80-90% accuracy for Chinese? All because there is no letter case or tense similar to the ones in English. EvenGoogle finds it hard to interpret what people mean. Think about how difficult it might be for your partner to translate small phrases on a daily basis. The more you’re able to understand the different phrases, and terms of their native language, the closer you will become.
Enjoy the essence of travelling
Furthermore, discovering different ways of thinking, social habits, and customs is not the only way to see other peoples culture in perspective. Through learning a new language, you can enjoy the essence of travelling to different countries with a whole new lens.
As you start to understand certain mannerisms and communication styles, it will open up your mind to new ways of thinking and how people express themselves in certain situations. So what better way to grow closer to understanding their culture than booking that language lesson today.
Meet the ‘original version’ of your partner
Although people adapt parts of themselves as they grow older, I believe you won’t truly understand someone, until you know where they came from. Unveiling how your partner grew up in their home country, even the culture and languages they encountered, can give you a great insight into how far they’ve come. Language has an extremely strong influence on how we perceive reality.
Multi-linguals often say that they feel like a different person in each language they speak. Not so much that they have a complete personality transplant. Just enough to notice the change in their body language, nuances and tones they use when communicating with others.
There was a study conducted in the 1960s, of a group of women who spoke Japanese and English fluently. They were asked to complete a series of sentences in Japanese and English. They expressed completely different ideas with their sentence endings, depending on whether they were answering in Japanese or English. You may have noticed similar things with your partner, I’m sure you’d love to bring out all sides of them!
Many people have slight differences in themselves when it comes to being around family. On average, families spend just four hours of quality time together each week. Although this seems like a small amount of time, it has a large effect on our lives as we grow. In a relationship, forming that close bond with your partner’s family is essential in deepening your affection towards one another.
However, some couples feel that when their partner is from a different country or culture. It is harder at first to form that natural bond. Your partner may try their best to translate for you when possible. However, it isn’t realistic to expect constant translations and may be a strain on the relationship.
Through booking lessons to understand a bit more about their culture shows the effort you are making. It will also make you feel more comfortable when around your partner’s family.
Becoming bilingual is a great asset
A partner may give you the boost you need to start learning a new language. However, it’s also a great way to up-skill yourself. Around 43% of people are bilingual with a further 17% being multilingual. This means in 2021, more than half of the world’s population could speak more than one language fluently.
Could you imagine not being able to communicate with almost half of the population in the world? Being able to express your opinions, concerns and ideas are vital both personally and professionally.
There’s really no downside to learning a language. In fact, most people are able to form careers based on this skill alone. Read this article about 8 Best Careers for Bilingual People if you’re interested in a career change or new opportunity.
Employers will always value you as an employee if they are aware you speak another language. As businesses become more internationally integrated, it may give you the chance to progress through a company quicker than your comrades through having a wider skill set.
Moreover, numerous studies have shown the massive health benefits in learning a new language. There has been growing evidence to suggest that bilingualism can delay the onset of Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as faster stroke recovery and lower stress levels. In a world where people are constantly overworked, if you could potentially reduce these negative feelings I’m sure you would.
Although you may be booking these lessons to please your partner, the personal benefits you would also gain are priceless. Our tutors here at Learn&Co will be able to guide you through the basics. Before you know it, you’ll be able to keep those stress levels right down.
Connect Emotionally
The final reason and potentially most sought after, is being able to connect emotionally with your partner. There’s something about hearing ‘te amo’ as opposed to ‘I love you’ from your native Spanish partner that would make the heart flutter that little bit more. Being able to speak to them in their language will allow for a deeper understanding of their emotions.
Even though there are non-verbal ways to bring out emotion from someone, nothing beats authentic verbal conversations. This may bring to light certain behaviours in your partner you do not understand. Including many misunderstandings that arise purely because of the different environments you both grew up in.
If you’re not able to understand the reasoning behind certain words or phrases your partner says, this will affect your overall communication with each other.
A study by the University of Chicago showed that words you hear in a second language don’t activate feelings as strongly as words you hear in your first language.
This makes sense as there’s a difference between understanding a word, and feeling its full cultural and emotional weight. You could even insinuate that perhaps you feel less emotional ties to a language learned in a classroom than the one you learned with your family.
As a person who likes to have deep and meaningful conversations, the ability to connect emotionally with a partner is vital for a long lasting relationship. After each language session with Learn&Co, I can guarantee that you’ll start to feel closer and more open with your other half.
Conclusion
There you have it! For those of you who would like to go the extra mile and do something different this Valentines Day I think this is the way to go.
Not only will it highlight your dedication to bettering your relationship but it will equip you with lifelong skills that can be used on a daily basis.
If you’re not sure where to start, book a consultation with on of our tutors and we’ll be sure to address any concerns you may have to get you on the right track. I hope you remember what is really important this Valentines Day and cherish the time you share with your other half.
I hope you remember what is really important this Valentines Day and cherish the time you share with your other half.
