5 Questions for a Classics Student Earning her Degree in Italy

We’re asking students, recent grads, teachers, and counselors five questions on how languages play a role in shaping personal and professional success…

Meet Emma—a Peak to Peak Charter School graduate from Colorado, now studying Classics at La Sapienza University of Rome with a goal of eventually working in academia.

1. Tell us a little about your earliest experiences with languages at home: What’s the best thing about growing up in a bilingual family?

Growing up in a bilingual household had a very strong impact on my childhood and how I grew up.

Interestingly, and I think this is an experience that a good amount of bilingual kids can share, I didn’t always understand that I was speaking two different languages. I knew in theory that my family was Italian, that that was where my father grew up, and where my grandparents and uncles still were, but in practice it wasn’t always clear to me.

I spent my youth using some terms solely in English and some solely in Italian. It would take years for me, honestly, until I would realize that other kids didn’t call rags “cenci” and the TV remote “telecomando.” I think that’s a beautiful thing about learning languages at a young age and being surrounded by different cultures: it becomes the norm.

Children are meant to learn and experience new things, and I was lucky to get that. Growing up bilingual taught me a lot about the world: how to analyze and understand differing perspectives, and simply how to enjoy and experience new ideas and cultures.

I think it’s really important to encourage learning multiple languages at a young age. Even apart from the numerous studies that reveal the benefits speaking more than one language has on development and ability, learning languages is fun and gives kids an understanding of the magnificent and complex world we live in.

2. With innovations in AI and other technologies, why is it important for young people to learn world languages and explore cultures?

AI is the antithesis to what it is to be human, and, in my opinion, nothing is more human than language. Language is at the core of everything; whether it’s spoken or not, there is a language constantly surrounding us. The more languages you learn, the more you understand about others and yourself. You have new tools to discover cultures and societies that technological replacements can’t dare to reach.

As AI becomes normalized, learning, and therefore empathy, are decreasing. A piece of code can’t replace millennia of human development and evolution of language. By truly learning a language, you push yourself. You strengthen your brain, your persistence, and you open up a world that was previously unreachable. While translation tools exist, you will never truly understand a people or a culture without understanding their language and history. AI is dangerous because it encourages people to stop asking questions, to stop exploring their curiosities, and to stop pursuing learning for fun. AI is an easy out, but it will never be the right answer.

In a world where people can hide behind screens as they send cruel words and people fear for their lives due to a lack of empathy, it is important to remember the values of humanity and what humanity means.

3. What about the study of linguistics most inspires or motivates you to enter this field in the future?

I have always been fascinated with how language reflects the small, unique, sometimes unseen customs of a culture. In particular, I am interested in the relation between gender and sexuality and language. This is apparent when translating. Some languages have such specific words for certain elements of their culture. Emotions, colors, locomotion, can all be specified to a minute detail in certain languages, while never even existing in others.

I am also really fascinated with etymology and how language has developed and is still so connected across cultures.

Overall, I guess I am fascinated by the “why?” Why are languages the way they are, and what can that tell us about our history and our present?

4. What advice would you like to share with fellow language students—those learning a home language, a target language, overcoming challenges, or just starting out? Any top tips from your experience as a language tutor?

Persistence is key. Things can be confusing and overwhelming. I’ve just started learning two new languages, and I forgot how challenging starting fresh can be, but it is so worth it. There is nothing like that first time you get the right answer to a question or the right translation. Studying languages isn’t something that you can float through.

It’s a challenge and a skill to learn a new language and everything that comes with it. You have to fight and struggle, but it is always worth it.

I recommend finding things in a language that brings you joy. I always loved listening to music in different languages. I also love reading, so a goal of mine when I learn languages is to challenge myself through reading. I would read articles, short stories, poems, or, eventually, books. I also love traveling, so that became a sort of aspiration for me. I want to learn as many languages as I can, and travel the world. Having these goals and elements that bring you joy can really help your perseverance.

And, of course, when studying, there is nothing that will help you more than repetition. Make flashcards, write down your exercises, practice speaking to yourself or to others.

If you keep pushing, you will get there, and it will be the most amazing feeling when you do.

5. Have you got a favorite word or expression in another language? What is it, what does it mean, and why did you choose it?

One of my favorite phrases that I’ve recently learned is: “Amicam meam magis quam oculos meos amo.”

It’s a Latin phrase meaning, “My friend, I love you more than my eyes.”

It brings me a lot of joy and expresses perfectly the love I hold in my friendships. I immediately sent the saying to my best friend. I just love the sentimentality and passion that it holds. It is very straight to the point, and yet has a certain poeticism that I think is beautiful.

BONUS QUESTION: Complete this thought: “Learning another language means…”

Learning another language means opening a door to a new world—a new world where you get to take part in a whole new existence. To me, it’s magic.

Explore more student & recent grad voices across our blog. And, as always, visit @LangConnectsFdn on social media to share your story with us.

Emma is also a former participant of the Global Co Lab Network: Explore additional opportunities for teen change-makers on their website!