The Role of Knowledge of Foreign Language in Cultural Tolerance and Openness to Experience

Recently, I completed my Masters in Psychology. As a part of dissertation, I conducted a research on the topic "The Role of Knowledge of Foreign Language in Cultural Tolerance and Openness to Experience." The recent happenings in Syria, Korea, Iraq and Iran, the adversities faced by refugees in Germany and other topics of political and cultural strains made me ponder and led me to this research topic. 

DEFINING LANGUAGE

Noam Chomsky, one of the most well known linguists in the world, argues that all languages are dialects of one language, which is the human language. He says that even though they appear very different, they are in fact very similar. However, different cultures have different manners in which they use their language and these differences cannot and should not be underestimated.

Language can be defined as a means of human communication, either spoken or written, and consisting of the use of words in a structured and conventional way (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). A ‘multi-lingual’ person is the one with the ability to communicate using multiple languages that differ in speech sounds, vocabulary and syntax. There are many cognitive and emotional advantages of knowing more than one language. However, in my study, I intended to explore the effects of learning a second language on inter-cultural tolerance and openness to experience.

TOLERANCE OF AMBIGUITY AND OPENNESS TO EXPERIENCE

Today, the social and electronic media has brought us closer. This has led to the emergence of a 'Global Village'. Such a village progresses only if mutual tolerance and respect for others prevails. In this era of globalization, where people of different backgrounds, cultures, religions and races are living together and the world is full of diversity, establishing tolerance, harmony, affection and mutual love has become crucial.

Humanity has learnt it the hard way that lack of tolerance leads to fighting and violence, finally destroying the peace and security of society.  After all, wasn't Adolf Hitler's hatred towards Jews an important aspect of the World War?

Now it is also becoming highly important that we talk about tolerance in all-inclusive terms. The society is becoming more and more heterogeneous, and multiculturalism is regarded as the practice which underlines the equal rights of all groups of the society and especially the traditional minority groups to satisfy their needs and gain help in satisfying them (Webster New World Dictionary, 1995). 

This does not mean that you have to compromise your principles or embrace others' ideas. It is simply a matter of fundamental human rights.

HOW LEARNING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE HELPS

With first language learners are immersed in their own culture, connections between language and culture often never come to question. But for foreign language learners, where true cultural intricacies and understandings are situated well beyond textbook, an understanding of language assumes a very different form.  (D. Elmes; The Relationship between Language and Culture).

Learning a new/ foreign language makes you culturally tolerant and competent. When you learn a new language, you also acquire knowledge about a new culture, country, or way of life. Your eyes are opened to new ways of doing things, which is known as ‘cultural competence’. In today’s globalized world, it’s nearly impossible to live without at least some measure of cultural competence.

Language learning inevitably also involves learning about different cultures. Researchers Hahn Thi Nguyen and Guy Kellogg explain that learning a second language involves the acquisition not only of linguistic forms but also ways of thinking and behaving.

Another way in which language learning increases cultural tolerance is by the way of increasing ‘Tolerance of Ambiguity’. Someone with a high tolerance of ambiguity is the one who finds unfamiliar situations exciting, rather than frightening. Applied linguist Jean-Marc Dewaele and Li Wei have studied the connections between tolerance of ambiguity and language learning experience. Their studies indicate that those with experience of having learnt more than one foreign language in an instructed setting have more tolerance of ambiguity.

THE EFFECT

This widening scope of linguistic research has been accompanied by significant developments in foreign language teaching, with a shift in emphasis from linguistic competence towards broader definitions of ‘communicative competence’. In other words, it has been widely recognized in the language teaching profession that learners need not just have knowledge and skill in grammar of a language, but also the ability to use the language in socially and culturally appropriate ways. This was the major innovation of ‘communicative language teaching’.

 The ‘Council of Europe’ is a well-established institution for developing consensus on the aims and guiding principles of language teaching. The Council of Europe’s ‘Common European Framework', like many other recent publications,  introduces ‘Intercultural Dimension’ into the aims of language teaching. The essence of this is to help language learners to interact with speakers of other languages on equal terms, and to be aware of their own identities and those of their interlocutors.  It is the hope that language learners who thus become ‘intercultural speakers’ will be successful not only in communicating  information but also in developing human relationship with people of other languages and cultures. (Byram, M., Gribkova, B., & Starkey, H. (2002). Developing the intercultural dimension in language teaching. A practical introduction for teachers. Strasbourg: Council of Europe.)

The only hope is to achieve the dream of ‘Every Citizen becoming Global Citizen’ and that of ‘World Peace.’