Why I Learned English | Jack Ma

Summary

The speaker emphasizes the importance of language as a gateway to understanding and respecting different cultures, which is crucial for building relationships and conducting global business. Despite the availability of translation apps, learning a language is about embracing its culture. The speaker shares their personal journey of self-taught English and a deeper understanding of Western culture, highlighting that respect and appreciation for diversity facilitate friendship and business. They conclude by stressing the significance of vision and belief in changing the world, advocating for direct communication over reliance on translators, and encouraging individuals to focus on their strengths and passions.

Takeaways

• 📚 Language is crucial for personal and professional growth.
• 🏫 Despite not having a strong educational background, perseverance is key.
• 💼 Failing to find jobs or join prestigious institutions does not define success.
• 🌐 Language is not just about communication; it's about understanding and respecting culture.
• 🌍 Learning a language opens doors to appreciating and respecting different cultures, fostering mutual respect.
• 👥 Respect and appreciation for other cultures can lead to better relationships and collaboration.
• 📚 Self-taught language skills can lead to a deeper understanding of foreign cultures.
• 🤝 Making friends is easier when you respect and appreciate other cultures.
• 💼 Business success is not solely dependent on language proficiency but also on cultural understanding.
• 🌟 Global deals can be made without language proficiency, but vision and belief are essential.
• 🔍 While translators can be useful, understanding and communicating in a language is more effective.

Q & A

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of language?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of language because it is a gateway to understanding and appreciating different cultures, which in turn fosters respect and the ability to work together globally.

What does the speaker suggest is a common misconception about the role of language in the future with artificial intelligence?

The speaker suggests that a common misconception is that the need to learn languages will diminish due to quick translation apps, but they argue that language learning is about understanding culture, not just communication.

How did the speaker's background and education influence their perspective on language learning?

The speaker's background of being born in a normal family and not being good at school, along with attending a school that was not well-equipped, influenced their perspective by making them value self-study and the cultural understanding that comes with language learning.

What is the speaker's opinion on the relationship between language learning and making friends?

The speaker believes that learning and respecting another culture through language helps in making friends, which is essential for business and global collaboration.

Why does the speaker believe that learning English by themselves gave them a better understanding of Western culture compared to those who studied abroad?

The speaker believes that their self-study approach allowed them to focus on understanding the culture rather than just the language, leading to a deeper appreciation and understanding of Western culture.

What is the speaker's view on the necessity of being able to speak English for conducting global business?

The speaker argues that speaking good English does not guarantee success in global business; rather, it is the vision, belief, and respect for different cultures that truly matter.

How did the historical example of Mao Zedong and Nixon illustrate the speaker's point about the importance of vision and belief over language proficiency?

The example of Mao Zedong and Nixon, who did not speak each other's languages, shows that having a shared vision and belief can lead to significant global deals and collaboration, regardless of language barriers.

What advice does the speaker give regarding the use of translators in business?

The speaker advises that while translators are sometimes necessary, being able to understand and communicate in a language is easier and more effective for both parties.

What is the speaker's suggestion for personal development in terms of career and interests?

The speaker suggests focusing on the things one is good at and loves, implying that passion and skill are more important than just language proficiency.

How does the speaker define success in the context of language learning and cultural understanding?

The speaker defines success as the ability to appreciate and respect different cultures, which leads to being respected and appreciated by others, making collaboration and business easier.

What is the main takeaway from the speaker's perspective on language and culture?

The main takeaway is that language learning is crucial not just for communication, but for gaining a deep understanding and respect for different cultures, which is essential for global cooperation and personal growth.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 The Importance of Language and Culture

The speaker emphasizes the significance of language, not just for communication, but as a gateway to understanding and appreciating different cultures. Despite facing educational and employment challenges, the speaker credits their self-taught English skills and cultural understanding as key to personal and professional success. They argue that respect for other cultures is essential for making friends and conducting business, and highlight that language proficiency alone does not guarantee success in global business, citing historical examples of significant international agreements made without direct language understanding.

Keywords

💡Language

Language is a system of communication using words, sounds, and symbols to convey meaning. In the video, language is highlighted as crucial for understanding and appreciating different cultures, which is essential for global cooperation and business. The speaker emphasizes that while technology can translate languages, it cannot replace the cultural understanding that comes with learning a language.

💡Culture

Culture refers to the customs, beliefs, and social behaviors of a group of people. The speaker argues that learning a language is not just about communication but about gaining insight into the culture of the people who speak it. This cultural understanding fosters respect and appreciation, which are vital for building relationships and working together.

💡Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the development of computer systems that can perform tasks normally requiring human intelligence, such as translation. The speaker mentions AI in the context of language translation apps, noting that while they can facilitate communication, they do not provide the cultural understanding that comes from learning a language.

💡Respect

Respect is the act of showing consideration or appreciation for others. In the video, respect is a key component of learning and appreciating another culture. It is through respect that one can build bridges with people from different backgrounds, which is essential for collaboration and business.

💡Appreciation

Appreciation is the recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities of someone or something. The speaker uses the term to describe the value of understanding and valuing another culture. It is through appreciation that one earns respect and is able to form meaningful connections with others.

💡Self-study

Self-study is the process of learning without formal instruction or guidance. The speaker mentions that they learned English through self-study, emphasizing the importance of personal initiative and effort in acquiring new skills and knowledge, especially in the context of language learning.

💡Western Culture

Western culture generally refers to the cultural practices and beliefs of Western societies, particularly those influenced by European traditions. The speaker claims to have a better understanding of Western culture than those who studied abroad, suggesting that self-study and immersion in one's own environment can lead to a deep appreciation of another culture.

💡Friendship

Friendship is a close and supportive relationship between two people. The speaker argues that understanding and respecting another culture makes it easier to make friends. Friendships are important for business and personal relationships, as they are built on mutual respect and appreciation.

💡Business

Business refers to the activities involved in making, buying, and selling goods or providing services. The speaker connects the ability to make friends with the capacity to do business, suggesting that personal relationships and cultural understanding are integral to successful business endeavors.

💡Vision

Vision is the ability to think about or plan the future with imagination or wisdom. The speaker mentions that having a vision and belief can change the world, emphasizing the importance of foresight and conviction in achieving global impact, beyond just language proficiency.

💡Belief

Belief is the acceptance that something exists or is true, especially one without proof. The speaker connects belief with the ability to effect change in the world, suggesting that strong convictions can drive actions and decisions that lead to significant outcomes.

Highlights

Language is very important and can help in various aspects of life.

The speaker was born in a normal family and faced difficulties in education and job opportunities.

Despite failing to find jobs or join good schools, the speaker never gave up.

Artificial intelligence can translate languages quickly, but learning a language is about understanding the culture.

Learning a language helps in understanding, appreciating, and respecting other cultures.

When you respect and appreciate other cultures, you gain respect and appreciation from others.

The speaker learned English by himself and believes he understands Western culture better than those who studied abroad.

Respecting and appreciating other cultures makes it easier to make friends and do business.

Having friends is essential for conducting business.

Language skills are helpful, but respect for different cultures is more important for global business.

Mao Zedong and Nixon made a global deal despite not speaking each other's languages.

Vision and belief are what can change the world, not just language skills.

Relying on translators is not ideal, but sometimes necessary.

Understanding a language and being able to communicate directly is easier and more effective.

The speaker advises to focus on things you are good at and love.

Transcripts

First let me tell you,

that language is very important.

I was born in a normal family.

And I’m not good at school.

Of course I tried to study hard.

But as a boy you know, my school was not that good at that time.

So I failed looking for jobs, looking for joining university,

joining good schools.

But I never gave up.

But let me tell you another thing,

language is so important, it helped me a lot.

Because of artificial intelligence,

in the future, people will say:

“I don’t need to learn English, or Russian or Japanese;

something, a quick app here can translate quickly."

No. It’s not about language.

It’s about culture.

When you learn the other language,

you start to understand the other culture.

You start to appreciate, respect the other culture.

When you appreciate, respect the other culture

you will be respected and appreciated by the others.

Then you can work altogether.

I learned my English by myself,

when I was a child.

I never got one day English training class outside China.

But I think I understand Western culture much better

than those Chinese students that study outside.

Because I’m not learning language, I’m learning culture.

When you respect the other culture,

when you appreciate the other culture,

it’s easy to make friends.

If you don’t like the other culture

you will never make friends.

If you don’t have friends,

how can you do business?

So, I would say,

language helped me a lot.

But mostly, the thing that helped me, is my respect

for the different cultures.

If you speak good English,

does not mean you will do global business. Right?

Mao Zedong didn’t speak English,

Nixon did not speak Chinese

but these two guys made a global deal;

China and US working together.

It’s the vision,

it’s the belief that you have,

that'll change the world.

If you have to do everything with a translator,

no good.

Of course sometimes you have to right?

But if you can understand a language

and can communicate;

it’s easier for you to communicate;

easy to understand

and be understood.

Thank you. And always:

focus on the things that you’re good at,

focus on the things that you love.