sticky notes
The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.
语言的界限就是世界的界限
Batasan bahasa saya adalah batasan dunia saya.

For me, it's super important to understand how language affects our thinking and cultural views. By diving into linguistic relativity, we can get some really cool insights into how language shapes our reality and impacts our daily lives.

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Bagi saya, memahami bagaimana bahasa mempengaruhi pemikiran dan pandangan budaya kita sangat penting. Dengan mempelajari bahasa, kita bisa mendapatkan wawasan menarik tentang bagaimana bahasa membentuk realitas kita dan mempengaruhi kehidupan sehari-hari kita.

Introduction

Language isn't just a communication tool; it shapes our perception, influences our thoughts, and defines our experiences.
语言不仅仅是交流的工具；它塑造了我们的感知，影响我们的思想，并定义我们的经历。
Bahasa bukan hanya alat komunikasi; bahasa membentuk persepsi kita, mempengaruhi pemikiran kita, dan mendefinisikan pengalaman kita.

Language plays a significant role in shaping our thoughts. According to the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, also known as linguistic relativity, the structure of a language can influence how its speakers perceive the world and think. For example, some indigenous languages lack a future tense, which makes their speakers more focused on the present. In contrast, languages like English, with clear distinctions between past, present, and future, can lead to a more segmented view of time.

Languages offer fascinating insights into how communities approach decision-making and the speed at which they operate.

I discovered that you can gauge a community's decision-making style by observing their language. In cultures with hierarchical and formal language structures, decision-making follows a clear chain of command and is more deliberate. Conversely, societies with egalitarian languages embrace collaborative and quicker decision-making. Understanding these language patterns can help you predict how communities make decisions.

The speed at which people speak often mirrors how quickly they make decisions. Languages like Spanish or Japanese, spoken rapidly, usually align with swift decision-making. On the other hand, slower-paced languages suggest a more thoughtful approach. These linguistic quirks give us a peek into cultural dynamics, influencing everything from business practices to social interactions.

Take Indonesia, for example. The language there tends to be longer and more descriptive, so even counting money can take a bit more time. This slower pace reflects a cultural tendency to be careful and considerate when making decisions. In contrast, Japanese, with its quicker pace, leads to faster transactions and decision-making. These patterns show how language shapes the rhythm and flow of daily life, revealing the underlying cultural values.

Exploring the world of languages lets us see how cultures make decisions. It highlights the deep connection between language and culture. By understanding these nuances, you can better navigate diverse cultural landscapes and appreciate how linguistic structures impact everything from financial transactions to organizational behavior.

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Menurut hipotesis Sapir-Whorf, yang juga dikenal sebagai relativitas linguistik, struktur suatu bahasa dapat mempengaruhi bagaimana penuturnya memandang dunia dan berpikir. Misalnya, beberapa bahasa asli tidak memiliki bentuk waktu depan, yang membuat penuturnya lebih fokus pada masa kini. Sebaliknya, bahasa seperti bahasa Inggris, dengan perbedaan yang jelas antara masa lalu, masa kini, dan masa depan, dapat mengarah pada pandangan waktu yang lebih tersegmentasi.
Yang lebih menarik lagi adalah kecepatan orang berbicara dapat mencerminkan kecepatan pengambilan keputusan mereka. Bahasa yang cepat seperti Spanyol atau Jepang sering kali sejalan dengan pengambilan keputusan yang cepat, sedangkan bahasa yang lebih lambat menunjukkan pendekatan yang lebih hati-hati. Nuansa linguistik ini membuka jendela unik ke dalam dinamika budaya, membentuk segala hal mulai dari praktik bisnis hingga interaksi sosial.

Cultural Insights and Personal Journey

selective photography of man pedaling wagon

Language is a vessel for cultural heritage and identity. Growing up in Indonesia as a Chinese-Indonesian, my home resonated with Hakka—a language I regretfully never mastered. Moving to China for high school immersed me in Mandarin, connecting me to my ancestral roots. Later, studying in Australia required proficiency in English, broadening my cultural and linguistic horizons.

Pros of Learning a Second Language

To me, multilingualism is a gateway to cross-cultural understanding and empathy. Speaking multiple languages opens up a world of diverse cultural nuances and traditions. It's incredibly heartwarming to see people's faces light up when I greet them in their native tongue or express gratitude in their language. Simple phrases like "thank you," "sorry," and common greetings often break down barriers and create a sense of shared humanity during my travels.

Learning a second language helps you grow and makes travel more fun and immersive. For example, when I learned Japanese, I learned a lot about Japanese customs, traditions, and social norms. This made me more understanding and aware of the world. Knowing Japanese in Japan means I can talk to locals better, find my way around more easily, and enjoy my trip more. Speaking Japanese lets me try local foods, join in cultural festivals, and make real connections, making my travels better and more fulfilling.

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Bagi saya, kemampuan multibahasa mendorong pemahaman lintas budaya dan empati. Berbicara dalam berbagai bahasa memungkinkan saya untuk menghargai nuansa dan tradisi budaya yang berbeda.

Belajar bahasa kedua juga mempromosikan pertumbuhan pribadi, membuat perjalanan lebih menyenangkan dan imersif. Misalnya, belajar bahasa Jepang memberi saya wawasan tentang adat istiadat, tradisi, dan norma sosial Jepang, menumbuhkan empati dan kesadaran global. Pemahaman yang lebih dalam ini memperluas pandangan dunia saya dan membawa pertumbuhan pribadi.

Cons of Learning a Second Language

From my view, learning a second language has its challenges. If we don't use it often, our skills can fade. For example, I started learning Chinese but lost my skills because I didn't practice every day.

Fear of making mistakes can also be a big problem. It can make us anxious and stop us from practicing. I used to avoid speaking French in class because I was scared of mispronouncing words. This self-doubt can drain our motivation and confidence.

Learning a new language can sometimes affect our cultural identity. Focusing too much on a new language might lead us to neglect our native language and roots. As an Indonesian student trying to master English, I sometimes feel less connected to my own traditions and language when I don't use my native tongue often.

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Keterampilan bahasa dapat menurun jika tidak digunakan secara teratur, sehingga sulit untuk mempertahankan kemahiran.

Lebih kritis lagi, saya menemukan bahwa belajar bahasa kedua kadang-kadang dapat berisiko kehilangan identitas budaya sendiri. Ketika saya fokus secara intens pada bahasa dan budaya baru, saya mungkin mulai mengabaikan bahasa dan akar budaya saya. Misalnya, sebagai siswa Indonesia yang telah menghabiskan banyak waktu dan upaya untuk belajar bahasa Inggris, saya kadang-kadang merasa kurang terhubung dengan tradisi dan bahasa Indonesia, terutama jika saya tidak lagi sering berkomunikasi dalam bahasa ibu saya.

Personal Journey

Learn Chinese (4 years, High School)

学习中文（4年）

red tassel

Learning Chinese has changed the way I think. The tones and characters are unique and need careful attention. For example, the word for "horse" (马, mǎ) and "mother" (妈, mā) show how a small change in tone can change the meaning. This focus on tone has made me better at noticing small differences in sounds.

Also, learning Chinese characters has improved my visual memory and attention to detail. Each character represents a concept and requires understanding its structure. This has made me think in a more detailed and holistic way.

Learning Chinese has been more than just picking up a new language—it has opened my eyes to a more attentive way of seeing the world.

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Kompleksitas Hanzi (karakter bahasa Mandarin) dan aspek nada dari bahasa tersebut mengharuskan saya untuk lebih memperhatikan detail dan fokus pada ketepatan nada membuat saya lebih peka terhadap perbedaan suara yang halus, tidak hanya dalam bahasa Mandarin tetapi juga dalam aspek kehidupan lainnya.

In details:

Writing System

Chinese Characters (Hanzi):
The most daunting challenge is mastering Chinese characters, as Chinese uses a logographic writing system. Each character represents a word or a morpheme, and there are thousands of them to learn. In contrast, Indonesian uses the Latin alphabet, making the transition to reading and writing Chinese characters especially difficult. Memorizing characters like 马 (mǎ, "horse") and 妈 (mā, "mother") requires a significant amount of practice and memorization.

Tones

Tonal Language:
Chinese is a tonal language, meaning that the pitch or intonation used when pronouncing a word can change its meaning. For example, the syllable "ma" can mean "mother" (mā), "hemp" (má), "horse" (mǎ), or "scold" (mà), depending on the tone. Indonesian does not use tones in this way, so Indonesian learners often struggle to correctly pronounce words and convey the intended meanings in Chinese.

Grammar and Syntax

Word Order and Structure:
While both Indonesian and Chinese typically follow a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) structure, the two languages have significant differences in grammar and syntax. For instance, Chinese often omits subjects when they are understood from context, and uses measure words (量词) between numbers and nouns, which do not exist in Indonesian. An example is "three books" in Chinese, which is 三本书 (sān běn shū), where "本" (běn) is a measure word specific to books.

Vocabulary

Lack of Cognates:
Indonesian and Chinese have very few cognates, meaning words that sound similar and have the same meaning. This lack of familiar words makes vocabulary acquisition more challenging. Indonesian learners must start from scratch with Chinese vocabulary, unlike learning a language with more shared roots with Indonesian.

Pronunciation

Phonetics:
Chinese contains several sounds that do not exist in Indonesian, such as the "zh," "ch," and "sh" sounds. Pronouncing these sounds correctly requires practice and can be difficult for Indonesian speakers. Additionally, Chinese pronunciation relies heavily on precise articulation, which can be challenging for those unfamiliar with these sounds.

Cultural Nuances

Cultural Context:
Understanding Chinese culture and its impact on language use is crucial for language proficiency. Chinese idioms (成语, chéngyǔ) and cultural references are deeply embedded in daily language. Indonesian students need to learn not only the language but also the cultural context to fully grasp meanings and nuances.

Learn English (From 4th Grade)

学习英语（从四年级开始）

The Old Crown store

As an Indonesian student, I've faced many challenges while learning English, especially with tenses. One big problem is the past tense because Indonesian doesn't have tenses like English. We use context or time markers to show time, so I often struggle with verb forms. For example, I might say "I eat breakfast yesterday" instead of "I ate breakfast" because I'm not used to changing verbs. Irregular verbs like "go" becoming "went" and "take" becoming "took" are also hard because Indonesian verbs don't change.

The perfect tenses, which use auxiliary verbs and past participles, are confusing because they don't exist in Indonesian grammar. Also, Indonesian doesn't have articles, so I might forget to use "a," "an," or "the," like saying "She read book" instead of "She read a book." Differences in word order and question formation can also cause misunderstandings since Indonesian often keeps the same structure for both statements and questions.

Pronunciation is another challenge, with sounds like the English "th" not existing in Indonesian, leading to mispronunciations like "dis" for "this" and "tink" for "think." These differences in grammar, syntax, and pronunciation make learning English hard but also an interesting and rewarding journey for me.

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Sebagai siswa Indonesia, saya menghadapi beberapa tantangan ketika belajar bahasa Inggris, terutama dalam aspek seperti past tense dan tenses lainnya. Salah satu kesulitan utama adalah penggunaan past tense karena bahasa Indonesia tidak memiliki sistem tenses seperti bahasa Inggris.

In details:

Tense Usage

Past Tense:
Indonesian language does not have a system of tenses in the same way English does. Instead, time is usually indicated by context or specific time markers such as "kemarin" (yesterday) or "besok" (tomorrow). This absence of grammatical tense means that Indonesian speakers often struggle to grasp the concept of changing verb forms to indicate different times. For example:

  • English: "I ate breakfast."
  • Indonesian: "Saya makan sarapan." (Directly translates to "I eat breakfast," without a change in the verb form.)

Indonesian learners might initially say "I eat breakfast yesterday," because they are not accustomed to altering the verb to "ate."

Verb Conjugation

Irregular Verbs:
English has many irregular verbs that don't follow standard conjugation rules, posing a significant challenge. In Indonesian, verbs remain in their base form regardless of the tense. Thus, learning that "go" changes to "went" or "take" changes to "took" can be particularly confusing.

Aspect and Mood

Perfect Tenses:
The concept of perfect tenses (present perfect, past perfect) is complex for Indonesian learners. These tenses involve the use of auxiliary verbs ("have," "had") and past participles, which are not present in Indonesian grammar. For example:

  • English: "I have finished my homework."
  • Indonesian: "Saya sudah selesai pekerjaan rumah saya." (Literally: "I already finish my homework.")

Indonesian speakers might be puzzled by the necessity of "have" in the English sentence.

Articles and Prepositions

Definite and Indefinite Articles:
Indonesian does not use articles ("a," "an," "the"), making it difficult for learners to understand when and how to use them in English. This often leads to mistakes such as omitting articles or using them incorrectly:

  • English: "She read a book."
  • Indonesian: "Dia membaca buku." (Directly: "She read book.")

Syntax and Sentence Structure

Word Order:
The standard sentence structure in Indonesian (Subject-Verb-Object) is similar to English, but flexibility and emphasis can cause confusion. For instance, questions in Indonesian often keep the same word order as statements, unlike English, which requires auxiliary verbs and inversion:

  • English Statement: "You are going."
  • English Question: "Are you going?"
  • Indonesian Statement and Question: "Kamu pergi?" ("You go?")

Pronunciation

Sounds and Stress:
Certain English sounds do not exist in Indonesian, such as the "th" sound in "this" or "think," leading to mispronunciations. Stress and intonation patterns also differ, making it hard for Indonesian learners to sound natural in English. For example, they might pronounce "this" more like "dis" or "think" like "tink."

Learn Japanese (Recently)

Mt. Fuji

Studying Japanese has many challenges because of its unique language structure, writing systems, and cultural details. One big challenge is learning the Japanese writing system, which includes Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji. Kanji is especially hard because it needs a lot of memorization. I often spend many hours learning the different readings and meanings of each character.

Another challenge is Japanese grammar. It uses particles and has a subject-object-verb (SOV) sentence structure, which is very different from the subject-verb-object (SVO) structure of Indonesian.

While Japanese pronunciation is easier than that of languages with tones, it still has its own difficulties. For example, the pitch accent changes the meaning of words based on the pitch of a syllable, which took me some time to understand. Also, the complex system of politeness levels and honorifics in Japanese requires me to constantly pay attention to the social context and the status of the person I am speaking to, which is much less important in Indonesian.

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Sistem tata bahasa Jepang adalah tantangan besar, dengan penggunaan partikel dan struktur kalimat subjek-objek-kata kerja (SOV) yang terasa sangat berbeda dari struktur subjek-kata kerja-objek (SVO) dalam bahasa Indonesia.

Selain itu, sistem tingkat kesopanan dan kehormatan yang kompleks dalam bahasa Jepang memerlukan perhatian konstan terhadap konteks sosial dan status orang yang saya ajak bicara, sebuah nuansa yang jauh kurang menonjol dalam bahasa Indonesia.

In details:

Writing System

  • Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji: Japanese uses three scripts, each with a unique purpose.
  • Kanji Complexity: Kanji characters have many readings and meanings. For example, 生 can mean "life," "raw," or "birth," and be read as "sei," "shou," "nama," or "iki."
  • Extensive Memorization: Learning thousands of Kanji characters takes a lot of time and effort.

Grammar and Syntax

  • Different Sentence Structure: Japanese uses a subject-object-verb (SOV) structure, unlike Indonesian's subject-verb-object (SVO) structure.
  • Use of Particles: Japanese uses particles like "wa" and "wo" to show grammatical relationships, which can be confusing for Indonesian learners. Example: "Watashi wa gohan wo tabemasu" (I rice eat) vs. Indonesian "Saya makan nasi" (I eat rice).

Pronunciation

  • Pitch Accent: Japanese uses pitch accent, where the pitch of a syllable changes the meaning of a word. For example, "hashi" can mean "bridge" (箸) or "chopsticks" (橋) depending on the pitch.
  • Unfamiliar Sounds: Pronouncing these pitch differences correctly takes practice.

Politeness Levels and Honorifics

  • Complex Politeness System: Japanese has many levels of politeness (casual, polite, honorific) that change how you speak based on social context.
  • Example: Using "imasu" instead of "iru" for "to be" when speaking politely.

Vocabulary Acquisition

  • Few Cognates: There are very few similar words between Indonesian and Japanese, so vocabulary must be learned from scratch.
  • Example: Words like "water" (水, mizu) and "food" (食べ物, tabemono) are different from Indonesian "air" and "makanan."

Cultural Nuances

  • Embedded Cultural Context: Japanese language is closely tied to its culture, so you need to understand social norms and etiquette.
  • Examples: Knowing when and how to bow, and the importance of omiyage (gifts) in social interactions.

The Boundaries of Monolingualism

Not knowing other languages can limit personal and work growth, keeping them away from good opportunities and experiences.
不了解其他语言可能会限制个人和工作的成长，使他们失去良好的机会和体验。

Monolingual people often face big challenges in today’s global world. Not knowing other languages can limit personal and work growth, keeping them away from good opportunities and experiences. For example, without knowing English, it is hard to study in countries like the USA, UK, or Australia, which can stop academic and career progress. Also, this can limit personal and cultural growth, as monolingual people might miss out on learning about different cultures and ideas.

Learning more languages can open up new experiences, improve cultural understanding, and boost career opportunities. Being multilingual is important for success in our connected world.

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Hambatan bahasa dapat membatasi pertumbuhan pribadi dan profesional, mengisolasi mereka dari peluang dan pengalaman berharga. Misalnya, tanpa kemampuan berbahasa Inggris, mengejar peluang pendidikan tinggi di negara seperti Amerika Serikat, Inggris, Australia bisa menjadi tantangan, membatasi pertumbuhan akademis dan profesional.

Expanding Horizons Through Language Learning

three person riding bikes on green grass field

Learning a new language is an amazing journey that can really open up your world. Not only does it improve your memory, problem-solving, and mental agility, but it also helps you make new friends and experience different cultures, making you feel more connected globally. Plus, being multilingual can give your career a serious boost in today's interconnected world.

If you're just starting, here are some practical tips to help you out:

  1. Immerse Yourself: Dive into the language with media, conversations, and travel. Real-world practice is a game-changer.
  2. Use Technology: Check out AI tools and language learning apps like Duolingo, Memrise, or Rosetta Stone to get the basics down.
  3. Join Communities: Get involved with language learning groups, both online and in person, to practice speaking and learn about the culture.
  4. Be Persistent: Remember, learning a language is a marathon, not a sprint. Keep at it and be patient—consistency is key.

Final,

Yeah, without English, I wouldn't be able to write this.
是的，如果没有英语，我就不能写这篇文章。
Ya, tanpa bahasa Inggris, saya tidak akan bisa menulis ini.

Remember: The limits of our language indeed shape the limits of our world. By embracing linguistic diversity and striving to expand our linguistic capabilities, we enrich our cognitive and cultural experiences. Language learning opens up new vistas, fostering deeper connections and a more nuanced understanding of the world.

So, whether it's the melodic tones of Japanese anime or the intricate characters of Chinese Hanzi, let’s take concrete steps to learn new languages and explore new cultural perspectives. In doing so, we transcend the limits of our language and, consequently, the limits of our world.

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记住：我们语言的界限确实塑造了我们世界的界限。通过接受语言多样性并努力扩展我们的语言能力，我们丰富了我们的认知和文化体验。学习语言开辟了新的视野，促进了更深层次的联系和对世界的更细腻的理解。
无论是日语动画的优美音调，还是汉字的复杂字符，让我们采取具体步骤来学习新语言并探索新的文化视角。这样做，我们超越了语言的界限，从而超越了我们世界的界限。

Ingatlah: Batasan bahasa kita memang membentuk batasan dunia kita. Dengan menerima keragaman bahasa dan berusaha untuk memperluas kemampuan linguistik kita, kita memperkaya pengalaman kognitif dan budaya kita.
Belajar bahasa membuka cakrawala baru, mendorong hubungan yang lebih dalam dan pemahaman yang lebih halus tentang dunia.

If you're inspired to start your own language learning journey, look no further. At IStudentPlus, we offer comprehensive English courses for all levels, from beginners to advanced learners. Additionally, we provides expert guidance and support for students interested in studying abroad.

Contact Us Today!

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