Languages combine us. They lay the foundation for understanding different backgrounds, cultures and unique personality traits. Learning the language of a country is the best way for successful inclusion and to really integrate oneself into a different culture. However, it is impossible to learn every language from every single country that you are going to visit. Therefore, languages have developed that are universal and the majority of people learn in school: Lingua Franca. English is the most important lingua franca and enables us to communicate globally.
Before coming to the UK, I have never been in touch with so many different cultures and histories. This exchange would have never been able without speaking English and helped me broaden my horizon and develop further awareness of the similarities and differences that exist between different cultures. Since English is the official language in London, I could experience the culture here in even more intensity.
In December, I visited an exhibition of the World Reimagined in which different artists created globes that addressed the history, legacy, and future of the Transatlantic Trade in Enslaved Africans. The globes consisted of paintings, caricatures, and quotes. One quote that I thought was particularly inspiring was: Writing was a political act and poetry was a cultural weapon. This quote represents the power of language and understanding a language enables one to understand politics and culture. English as lingua franca made it possible for me to fully understand this exhibition and made me understand part of the British culture that we in Germany only superficially discuss. Having a universal language that many people understand can help preventing history to repeat itself. It makes us as humans more sensitive about important topics.
English is also the lingua franca of academia, particularly, in science. Especially, in health science speaking one universal language is essential to exchange research outcomes that can be used to develop treatment. English provides the basis for global cooperation that then supports an active and healthy society. In general, English brings the world closer!
If you are thinking about improving your English by, for instance, studying abroad, I can only recommend taking the IELTS test. It does not only give you feedback about your English level but while preparing for it you already get in touch with different cultural and historical aspects. In particular, the speaking questions made me reflect my own cultural background, values and how being German has influenced the way I see myself. Most importantly, The IELTS test provides you with a variety of options to step out in a global world.
January 2023 | Lioba Berndt
