To learn more about how Steve's linguistics page came about in the first place, we reached out to him via Facebook. When asked what inspired him to start the account, he told Bored Panda, "I have always loved languages and linguistics." We also asked if he could share a fascinating linguistics fact with us: "There are some languages that use cardinal directions (east, west, north, south) instead of left and right for directions." I don't have a wonderful sense of direction, so I would definitely struggle with that...
He also wanted to make it clear that the study of linguistics is for everyone. "Linguistics is the study of languages. All forms of speech are valid. All dialects are valid." And when it comes to why his page is so popular, Steve noted that, "Everyone loves words and languages, it seems. I focus on the fun side of things." And as far as the future of his account is concerned, Steve says that he only plans to make it bigger and better. So be sure to give the page a like on Facebook to follow its growth and see more language memes right here!
According to the Linguistic Society of America, “Linguistics is the scientific study of language. [It applies] the scientific method to conduct formal studies of speech sounds and gestures, grammatical structures, and meaning across the world’s 6,000+ languages.” Linguistics is a field that applies to us all, as almost every person on the planet speaks, reads or understands some form of language. Often, people even know more than one!
“Language use is an essential human ability,” the LSA writes on their site. “Whether it's telling a joke, naming a baby, using voice recognition software, or helping a relative who's had a stroke, you'll find the study of language reflected in almost everything you do. Linguists spend their days seeking answers to questions like the following and so many more, because language and linguistics play such a fundamental role in every human's life.”
Some of the questions linguists seek to answer are: How do you speak differently when you're talking to your friends, your parents, or your boss? Why do people who speak the same language as you still sound different from you? Why do languages die, and how can one on the brink of death be preserved?
Linguistics inherently plays an important role in all of our lives, but it can also bring us a lot of enjoyment. Steve the vagabond and silly linguist uses his platform to help others find the joy in studying languages. Becoming fluent in a foreign language is an incredibly hard task, but dipping your toe into the pond of linguistics can help you become much more curious about the world’s many tongues. And a few simple phrases in any language can go a long way. Just knowing how to say hello, thank you, excuse me, and ask for help can spare you some embarrassment while traveling and allow you to inform the locals that you’ve put in a bit of effort.
The last time I was traveling to the United States, I arrived in Austin, Texas and explained to the passport control officer that I had flown in from Lithuania. His face lit up, and he responded with, “Labas!” (Hi!) I was shocked that he knew even a single word, and he was thrilled to tell me that he also knew how to say thank you because he has some Lithuanian friends who are currently living in Chicago. I’m sure it’s extremely rare that he meets anyone who knows those words, and it was just pure coincidence that he got to check my passport. But it was a great moment that made us both smile, all thanks to his curiosity about languages.
I’m ashamed to admit that I’m not fluent in any other languages, but I know a handful of words and phrases in several languages thanks to growing up in Texas, classes in school and university, and living in a couple countries that speak their own languages. But even the small amount of foreign languages I know has come in handy several times in my life. For example, when I was living in Sweden, I made an appointment to get a tattoo in Stockholm. I had booked the session via email in English, but when I arrived, I was told that the artist I had an appointment with couldn’t come in that day. Instead, there was another man who spoke fluent Spanish and Swedish (he was originally from Chile) who would handle my art for me. Through my broken Spanish, broken Swedish and a bit of his broken English, the appointment turned out to be a success. Sometimes, it’s not crucial to be perfect or know everything. You just need to listen and understand enough to make yourself understood.
I’ve always been a sucker for a great pun or play on words, so these linguistics jokes are right up my alley. But there are plenty of reasons to study linguistics. First of all, anything that gives you a wider global perspective is great. The more we learn about other languages and cultures, the greater we’ll be able to understand people living all over the world, even if we can’t communicate in the same language. Linguistics can also be a great field to study in terms of career opportunities. There are many jobs linguists can pursue, including becoming a professor of linguistics, a foreign language teacher, a translator, a speech pathologist, an English teacher, a diplomat, a text-to-speech developer, and a language rights advocate. There’s no shortage of linguists needed worldwide, and the demand is only growing as the need for multi-language speakers becomes greater every year.
If you’re looking for a sign to start learning a new language, here’s your push! It’s never too late, and it doesn’t have to be scary. Becoming fluent seems like a monstrous task that deters many people from starting at all, but being able to hold a basic conversation is a huge accomplishment that won’t take too much time as long as you’re a dedicated learner. We all know apps like Duolingo aren’t the best way to learn a language, but they are one route to take to pick up basic phrases and vocabulary. Along with that, it’s important to get used to reading and hearing the new tongue as well, so be sure to watch lots of Netflix or Youtube videos in the language (preferably with subtitles so you will learn how to spell and pronounce the words). Watching shows and films in another language is also a great way to learn how people actually talk, rather than the phrasing that a textbook will teach you, which often sounds formal or awkward to native speakers.
To inspire you to expand your linguistic knowledge, we consulted this article from the BBC where engineer Benny Lewis, who has become nearly fluent in seven languages, provided his insight on how he was able to learn so much. “The biggest barrier in the beginning is the lack of confidence,” Lewis told the BBC. “That got better and better for me [as I spoke].” His first tip was to create a script for yourself that will allow you to respond to simple queries from strangers without having to revert back to your native language. Always use what you know, and remember that it’ll be obvious you’re a foreign speaker. Others are likely to be patient and understanding of the fact that you’re trying.
