100 is Great but 1 is Enough
These days it isn’t merely beneficial, it’s
nearly a necessity to speak more than one language. Silly me … I quit French in high school, oh so
many years ago, to pick up another business class.
My crystal ball failed to show me how much
languages would soon be such a gigantic asset in business. Story of my life. I can, however, still converse in Pig Latin; though I could
use a little brush-up course. 😏
For Wordplay Wednesday’s
100th
anniversary week, I chose an appropriate example. Note that even the dictionary
seems to deride in tone, those who are not language-ambidextrous*; and only the lonely are a …
MONOGLOT (mänʹō glät’) adj.– speaking or writing only
one language; n. a monoglot person. [WW #100.]
While I have not opted to learn a second language,
lexicology
can often seem foreign. I refuse, however, to feel inferior for preferring to
work toward mastering English. This monoglot holds her English head high,
albeit a little crooked, in her word eccentricities.
It should count that I often pick up on other
languages through fun phrases and less crass sounding cuss words. Besides—why would I want to
confuse myself with another set of grammarrules I don’t agree with? Being a monoglot has its advantages.
If I were to learn another language at this
late date, I’d choose Gaelic.
Why? It’s that of my heritage, plus it isn’t as prevalent as others, thus needs
a little preservation boost. (And I’d like to know what those pesky Leprechauns
are saying about me!)
Seriously though. If you have a hankering to
visit another country, or think your business exploits may benefit with at
least a conversational skill in an alternate language, or you simply love to
learn—you are never too young or too old.
Cheers to our 100th
Wordplay Wednesday!
Word Challenge: MONOGLOT. Enjoy mastering your language with pride and proficiency
as you fit monoglot into your week of meaningful writings.
Write first for
yourself … only then can you write for others. (L.Rochelle)
*For those who have not read my column before,
yes, I know I use words out of context and play with their meanings. Hence, the
title “Wordplay.” If you can’t have fun in your own language, how can you appreciate
another?
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