"In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was made flesh. It was so in the beginning and it is so today. The language, the Word, carries within it the history, the culture, the traditions, the flesh, the very life of a people. Language is the people. We cannot even conceive of a people without a language, or a language without a people. The two are one and the same. To know one is to know the other." - Sabine Ulibarrí, American teacher and writer
The importance of a language as a fundamental means of communication cannot be denied. The unique and varied methods we use to communicate through the written and spoken word helps us create lasting bonds with one another and it separates us from the rest of the animal kingdom. As psycholinguist Frank Smith says, “language is not a genetic gift; it is a social gift. Learning a new language is becoming a member of the club - the community of speakers of that language.”
A FORM OF THERAPY
Bilingual or multilingualism is another aspect that in today’s world has become very important. Science shows that the cognitive and neurological benefits of bilingualism extend from early childhood to old age. Learning a second language helps the brain process information more efficiently and wards off old-age related diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.
It is proven that learning a second language helps not only people who were raised bi-lingual but also persons that learn a second language later on in life. Bi-lingualism helps improve memory, visual-spatial skills and creativity. It also has valuable social benefits. Being bilingual helps in the ability to explore a culture through its native tongue or talk to a person with whom otherwise one would never be able to communicate. Indeed, learning a language validates a person's status as a citizen of the world. It contributes to international cooperation and understanding.
TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATION
We are living in a fast-paced technological era. Communication across continents happens in real time. The postal service of my youth is now dubbed snail mail! Waiting excitedly for reply letters from pen-friends and loved ones abroad are long-lost experiences that today are inconceivable. My email box pops up messages in split seconds from all corners of the globe. My mobile device never stops pinging and ringing. My children cannot fathom waiting for weeks for replies and have no clue how the old telephone dial works!
All of today's technology revolves round communicating with words and speech. Speaking one language is a basic human need however, technology has now launched us into the digital era. We are now members of a global village. We also travel effortlessly to and from different destinations - the digital technology at our fingertips ensures that travelling is fast, secure, and efficient. People now travel and often settle in foreign countries for various reasons. Many are economic migrants. Others are fleeing persecution and starvation.
ECONOMIC BENEFITS
Bottom line, people from different cultural backgrounds are living, working and interacting together. Multilingualism and at minimum bilingualism are now essential tools for the harmonious co-existence of people from diverse backgrounds in one space.
The demand for skills in multiple languages has increased also for its potential economic benefits. Fluency in multiple languages increases commercial and service opportunities in both ethnic and general markets. In the economic world, businesses look for people who are bilingual or multilingual because of the diversity of today's population. They also want workers with multiple-language skills who can readily navigate international markets.
‘A LANGUAGE POLICY FOR THE JUNIOR YEARS’
It is a known fact that bilingualism is an incredible gift to give to a child. It goes beyond just learning another language. It broadens mental development, thought patterns, creativity and a wide world perspective.
As Minister for Education, I am keen to strengthen and enhance our education system to push forward the teaching of foreign languages in our schools. Last Wednesday, I launched the Policy Document ‘A Language Policy for the Junior Years’. This document is intended to offer direction and support in the use of languages across the curriculum and the teaching and learning of languages in the later primary school years. The policy encourages multilingualism whilst at the same time giving importance to the Maltese and English language.
It is a policy that focuses on the promotion in the use of language mediation particularly in our current situation where children from different countries are now part of our society. It also empowers children, parents, and educators to make informed decisions about the promotion of multilingualism at home and in a school environment. Families, schools, and the media are encouraged to foster positive attitudes towards Maltese, English and other languages and to support language education policies and practices which promote language diversity. In schools, teachers are encouraged to adopt language mediation strategies to meet the educational needs of students from diverse language backgrounds.
LANGUAGE AND IDENTITY
In Nelson Mandela's wise words, 'if you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his mother tongue, that goes to his heart.' Language is not simply an assortment of words but an reality that connects an individual to his family, identity, culture, music, beliefs and wisdom. It is a carrier of history, traditions, customs, and folklore from one generation to another. Without language, no culture can sustain its existence. Our language is our identity.
Education specialist Hurisa Guvercin states that when a person speaks his mother tongue, a direct connection is established between heart, brain and tongue. "Our personality, character, modesty, shyness, defects, pride, skills, and all other hidden characteristics become truly revealed through the mother tongue because the sound of the mother tongue in the ear and its meaning in the heart give us trust and confidence”.
This shows how important it is for our children to learn foreign languages but at the same time retain their own. Our identity stems from our language - Maltese. Our language is the archive where the experiences, knowledge and beliefs of our community are stored as a collective memory. It is important that our children do not lose their ability to understand Maltese and communicate through it.
MY PRIDE AND DUTY
As Minister for Education it is my prerogative and duty that, parallel to encouraging the promotion of foreign languages in our education system, the knowledge and teaching of the Maltese Language as our national language is given the importance it deserves.
As parents, guardians and educators it is our duty to pass on our mother tongue to our children. As French linguist François Grosjean once said, ‘The world is a mosaic of visions. With each language that disappears, a piece of that mosaic is lost.' Let us not dilute our mother tongue into oblivion. We need to strike a harmonious balance between our national identity and our openness to outside influences and interests. We must share with pride our rich cultural heritage and open our hearts and minds to foreign cultures, learning from each other along the way without compromising our identity. This is the only way forward and it is a sure way to secure the future of our national identity for future generations.