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| Jeremy Ball Class of 2017 |
In my travels outside the United States, most have been to countries where English is not the native language. Whether it be Polish, Spanish, German or Dutch, each country has presented unique and challenging experiences in regards to communications. Now approaching my third week in China, I can honestly say I have never experienced a more profound language barrier in a country than my time here. While we have student guides and a truly remarkable professor provided for us on this trip that aids tremendously in communication, my class has often ventured to places where no one but ourselves spoke English. With many points, and often unintelligible gestures, we have managed to succeed thus far; however, to say it hasn't been a challenge would be an understatement. However, this blog is not to complain about the language barrier, or even to speak about the power of nonverbal communication; it's to speak to the importance of learning another language.
My studies in college, as well as my interests in the region, have led me to learn Arabic, and following my time in China I will be traveling to Oman for an intensive language immersion program. Accordingly, I have never learned Chinese. In fact, the extent of my knowledge of this language has come from my short time here, and I have only picked up on the very basic phrases like "thank you", "hello" and various drinks. My inability to communicate leaves me feeling stranded and small, especially in a country as large and populated as China. I have absolutely loved my time in China, but no doubt the language barrier has presented my classmates and I with several notable challenges. However, it has reminded me of how necessary it is to commit to being a global citizen. Growing up, the only other language besides English I heard was spoken at the small Mexican restaurant in my hometown in Eastern Kentucky; but even those workers and businesspeople knew English. I had this intense sense of privilege that my English speaking abilities could take me anywhere and I would be fine. And to an extent, this is true. In your travels abroad the more highly educated do speak English, and this has been the case in every country I have traveled. But, the key lesson I've learned is that more people do not speak English than those that do. The restaurant workers, maids, and customer service people often put you in a position with a tremendous language barrier. To effectively communicate without speaking the person's language is a true challenge.
Jeremy Ball is a senior McConnell Scholar studying political science and economics at the University of Louisville.