Multilingualism is far beyond the simple greetings or numbers in different languages. It manifests itself in the way I perceive myself and the world around me, becoming an indispensable part of me and my identity. But how does one become bilingual, or even multilingual?

Well, when you grow up in a country as diverse as India—like I did—you’re practically born into bilingualism. In a place with no national language, and instead, 22 officially recognised languages, 121 major languages, and over 19,000 dialects, fluency in multiple languages is the norm. The Indian educational system also mandates learning several languages from a very young age, but the medium of instruction in Indian schools and universities (except for a handful of institutions in each state that exclusively teach in regional languages) is English, as it has long been recognised as an official language in the country. This meant that while I was learning my mother tongue, Tamil, I was simultaneously learning English at the very same pace! 

I grew up speaking both Tamil and English fluently, but I also understand other Indian regional languages such as Hindi, Malayalam, and Telugu. Being raised in a multilingual environment ignited my passion for language learning, which is why I’ve been learning German and Korean, and have recently taken up Japanese at the University. I’ve discovered that growing up speaking multiple languages has given me a significant advantage, making it much easier and quicker for me to learn new ones.

Inspiration began with my mom, who like me, has a penchant for languages. As a child, I remember being in awe of her, doing my best to emulate her as she effortlessly switched between various languages. Looking back now, she was probably the reason I became so enamoured by language and linguistics in the first place. Growing up, the language my family, friends, and I predominantly spoke was English. It was the language I was, and still am most comfortable with and proficient in. No matter how many silly challenges my family organised at home to ensure that I didn’t lose my connection with Tamil, my brain at some point during my childhood automatically picked English as the dominant language. I realise now that no matter how many languages you grow up learning, your mind is naturally going to have a preference for one. 

Because of this inclination, I’ve often struggled to fit in with certain family groups and have even faced bullying from elderly relatives with more traditional, conservative mindsets for being more comfortable with English. A part of me definitely feels like my preference for English undermined my Tamil identity. As surprising as it was to everyone, including me, scoring well in my Tamil O-levels was probably the first time I felt a sense of validation in my cultural identity, but I now know that something as superficial as an exam grade does not define the depth of your cultural connection. 

My desire to have more languages under my belt has encouraged me to be more aware of and open to cultures, embracing them wholeheartedly and striving to learn as much as I can about each one. My multilingual background plays a massive role in how I perceive myself as well as how I portray myself to the world. It has been vital in shaping my identity and is a salient part of my strengths, curiosity and versatility. As someone who speaks more than one language on the daily, code-switching has become an innate part of my personality. Each language that I wield seems to unveil a different side of me, as if my mind were partitioned into various personas that embody the nuances of each language and its culture. The brain is a marvellous organ, and for the most part, it enables a seamless transition from one language to the next, but it’s not uncommon for me to become tongue-tied while speaking. My mind is constantly translating my thoughts into various languages (why? Because the brain enjoys a completely unnecessary yet relentless challenge - who needs simplicity, right?), and it can get a little crowded up there sometimes, leading me to spit out an utterly incoherent sentence that somehow captures the essence of all the languages I know.

Nevertheless, I take immense pride in being a polyglot, not only because it has played a significant role in moulding me into the person I am today, but also because it pushes me to become a better individual by encouraging me to learn new languages and connect with and learn from people from diverse cultures. Learning languages helps build bridges between cultures, and I believe that it’s incredibly beneficial in today’s increasingly divisive society.

If you’re interested in becoming multilingual, there is a plethora of online resources to get you started, but I would recommend apps like Duolingo, or simply enrolling at a language institution near you for a more comprehensive learning experience.