Learning Languages Ruined My Life

Summary

The video script explores the moral obligation to be intelligent and its connection to language learning. It suggests that while speaking multiple languages doesn't necessarily make one more intelligent, the process of learning can be transformative, exposing learners to new cultures and challenging their preconceived notions. The script highlights the potential pain and confusion that come with expanding one's knowledge, but also the rewards, such as better job opportunities and the ability to connect with diverse cultures. Ultimately, it argues that learning a foreign language is a brave pursuit that can break down barriers and contribute to a more peaceful and prosperous world.

Takeaways

• 📚 The title 'The Moral Obligation to Be Intelligent' suggests the importance of expanding one's intellect beyond just learning languages.
• 🌐 Learning a foreign language is not necessarily a measure of intelligence, but it can enhance one's worldview.
• 📈 The process of learning a language can be painful due to the challenges it presents, such as expanding one's knowledge and confronting the unknown.
• 🌟 Discovering the beauty in other cultures through language learning can be a profound experience, as it reveals the universality of human expression.
• 🌍 Studying a foreign language can lead to the realization that cultural phenomena thought to be unique are often shared across different societies.
• ✍️ Language learning can challenge preconceived notions and force a reevaluation of one's identity and beliefs.
• 🏰 Historical events that are significant in one culture may not be as well-known in another, highlighting the importance of diverse perspectives.
• 🏛️ Learning a language can provide a deeper connection to a culture, potentially leading to a form of 'cultural schizophrenia' that can be both enlightening and painful.
• 💼 Practical benefits of language learning include improved job prospects and the ability to impress others with knowledge of different cultures.
• 🌱 The pursuit of knowledge, including language learning, is inherently challenging but necessary for personal growth and understanding of the world.
• 🕊️ Ultimately, learning a foreign language can help break down barriers, foster understanding, and contribute to a more peaceful and prosperous global community.

Q & A

What is the title of the book that caught the speaker's attention at Maggots Books?

The title of the book is 'The Moral Obligation to Be Intelligent'.

Does the speaker believe that speaking foreign languages makes one more intelligent?

The speaker does not necessarily equate speaking foreign languages with intelligence, but suggests that being intelligent involves knowing multiple languages.

What does the speaker mean by 'the pain of learning languages'?

The 'pain' refers to the confusion and the challenge of expanding one's knowledge, where the more one learns, the more they realize how much they do not know.

How does learning a foreign language affect one's cultural perspective according to the speaker?

Learning a foreign language can lead to a cultural schizophrenia, where one becomes a part of the culture of the language they are learning, which can be both enlightening and excruciating.

What are some examples the speaker gives of cultural similarities discovered through language learning?

The speaker mentions that studying Persian might reveal that beautiful poetry is not exclusive to one's native language, and studying Spanish might show that cultural aspects thought to be unique have counterparts in other cultures.

Why does the speaker suggest that learning Russian could change one's view of history?

Learning Russian could make one realize that significant historical battles, like the Russian defeat of the Golden Horde, are as important as those fought in one's native land.

What are the practical benefits of learning a foreign language mentioned by the speaker?

The speaker mentions better job market opportunities and the pleasure of impressing friends with knowledge in multiple languages as practical benefits.

Why would someone choose to learn a foreign language according to the speaker?

The speaker suggests that people learn foreign languages to communicate, travel, advance their careers, and to challenge their understanding of the world.

What is the ultimate goal of language learning as presented in the script?

The ultimate goal of language learning, as presented, is to overcome misunderstandings, bridge cultures and civilizations, and contribute to a world of peace and prosperity.

How does the speaker view the pursuit of knowledge in relation to language learning?

The speaker views the pursuit of knowledge, including language learning, as a form of masochism, where the pain endured can lead to greater understanding and cultural bridges.

Outlines

00:00

📚 The Moral Obligation to Be Intelligent

This paragraph introduces the concept of the moral obligation to be intelligent and its relation to learning languages. The speaker recounts a personal experience of being drawn to a book titled 'The Moral Obligation to Be Intelligent' in a bookstore. Although the book itself wasn't the best, the title sparked a reflection on the nature of intelligence and language learning. The speaker suggests that while speaking a foreign language isn't necessarily a measure of intelligence, being intelligent involves recognizing the shared pain of learning languages. This pain isn't due to the tediousness of learning but rather the cognitive dissonance that arises from expanding one's knowledge and confronting the unknown. The speaker also touches on the cultural revelations that come with language learning, such as discovering beautiful poetry in Persian or recognizing cultural similarities across different societies. The paragraph concludes by acknowledging the personal and professional benefits of language learning, but emphasizes the deeper value of overcoming linguistic barriers to foster understanding and challenge bigotry.

Keywords

💡Moral Obligation

The concept of 'moral obligation' refers to the sense of duty or responsibility one feels to act in a certain way, often guided by principles of right and wrong. In the context of the video, it is suggested that there is a moral obligation to be intelligent, which can be interpreted as a duty to seek knowledge and understanding. This is tied to the theme of the video, which is about the pursuit of knowledge through learning languages, suggesting that being intelligent is not just an individual pursuit but a moral responsibility to oneself and society.

💡Intelligence

Intelligence, in the video, is not merely an academic or IQ-based concept but is linked to the ability to understand and navigate the complexities of the world. It is suggested that learning languages does not necessarily make one more intelligent, but being intelligent involves the ability to learn and communicate in multiple languages. This is because language learning opens up new perspectives and challenges preconceived notions, thus broadening one's intellectual horizons.

💡Painful

The term 'painful' in the video script is used metaphorically to describe the challenges and difficulties one faces when learning a new language. It encompasses the struggle with vocabulary, grammar, and the time-consuming nature of language acquisition. More profoundly, it refers to the intellectual and emotional discomfort that comes from confronting one's own ignorance and reshaping one's beliefs. This pain is a central theme of the video, illustrating the sacrifices and efforts required to gain a deeper understanding of the world.

💡Cultural Schizophrenia

Cultural schizophrenia, as mentioned in the script, refers to the feeling of being torn between different cultural identities that one might experience when learning a new language. It suggests a sense of disorientation or conflict that can arise from trying to integrate the values and perspectives of another culture with one's own. This concept is used to highlight the intense personal transformation that can occur through language learning, as it forces individuals to confront and reconcile different worldviews.

💡Language Barrier

The 'language barrier' is a recurring theme in the video, representing the obstacles that prevent effective communication and understanding between people from different linguistic backgrounds. It is portrayed as something that not only hinders communication but also perpetuates stereotypes and misunderstandings. The video argues that overcoming this barrier is essential for fostering global understanding and peace.

💡Globalized World

The term 'globalized world' is used to describe the interconnectedness of modern society, where cultural, economic, and political exchanges occur across national borders. In the context of the video, learning a foreign language is presented as a means to navigate and succeed in this globalized environment, emphasizing the practical benefits of language skills in an era of increased international collaboration and competition.

💡Bigotry

Bigotry is defined as intolerance or prejudice towards those who hold different opinions or beliefs. In the video, it is suggested that learning a foreign language can help break down these barriers by fostering empathy and understanding. The video implies that those who do not engage with foreign languages may be more susceptible to bigotry due to a lack of exposure to different cultures and perspectives.

💡Persian Epics

The 'Persian Epics' mentioned in the video refer to the ancient literary works of the Persian Empire, such as the Shahnameh, which is a collection of myths and heroic tales. The video uses this example to illustrate how learning a language can reveal the richness and beauty of another culture's literature, challenging the notion that one's own language or culture is superior or unique.

💡Cultural Counterparts

The concept of 'cultural counterparts' is introduced to show that elements of one's own culture, which may seem unique, can have parallels in other cultures. The video uses the example of 'amortia' in Puerto Rican culture and 'sunday' in Korean culture to demonstrate that language learning can reveal these similarities, promoting a sense of global interconnectedness and shared humanity.

💡Golden Horde

The 'Golden Horde' refers to a Mongol khanate that ruled over various parts of Eastern Europe and Russia. The video mentions the Russian defeat of the Golden Horde at the Battle of Kulikovo as an example of how learning a foreign language can lead to a broader understanding of history. It challenges the idea that only one's own nation's history is significant, encouraging a more inclusive and global perspective on historical events.

💡Peace and Prosperity

The terms 'peace' and 'prosperity' are used in the video to describe the potential outcomes of overcoming language barriers and cultural misunderstandings. It suggests that by learning foreign languages and engaging with different cultures, individuals can contribute to a more harmonious and successful global society. This concept ties back to the video's central message about the importance of language learning for personal growth and global harmony.

Highlights

The title 'The Moral Obligation to Be Intelligent' provokes thought on the connection between intelligence and language learning.

Learning a foreign language is not necessarily an indicator of intelligence, but it can enhance one's perspective.

The pain associated with language learning is not from the tedious process but from the expansion of knowledge and the confrontation with the unknown.

Learning a new language can challenge one's beliefs and identity as it exposes them to different cultural perspectives.

Studying Persian can reveal the beauty of poetry beyond one's native language, highlighting the universality of art.

Learning Spanish may lead to the discovery of cultural similarities, such as the Puerto Rican 'amortia' and the Korean 'Sunday'.

Studying Russian can broaden one's historical perspective, showing that significant battles occurred beyond one's native land.

Language learning allows one to become a part of the culture associated with the language, leading to a deeper understanding.

The cultural schizophrenia experienced through language learning can be painful but also enlightening.

The practical benefits of language learning, such as better job opportunities and social impressing, can offset the pain of learning.

Language learning is a tool for communication, travel, career advancement, and brain health in a globalized world.

The pursuit of knowledge, including language learning, is a form of masochism that can lead to overcoming misunderstandings and bridging cultures.

Learning a foreign language is not for the faint-hearted; it requires courage to confront one's biases and to understand different cultures.

The process of language learning can lead to a more nuanced view of the world, challenging bigotry and promoting peace and prosperity.

Those not fond of foreign languages must be vigilant against bigotry and seek reliable information to counteract linguistic barriers.

Language learning is a journey that, despite its challenges, offers the opportunity to see the world as it truly is and to connect with others.

Transcripts

in summer 2015 when i was walking by

maggots books my favorite bookstore in

seattle at three o'clock in the morning

my eyes were immediately caught by the

title of a book and the yellow glen

behind the window

so i went there the next morning

bought it and read it

the book is probably not the best

collection of essays i've ever read

but the title has since then stayed with

me

the moral obligation to be intelligent

what does that have to do with learning

languages

do speaking foreign languages make you

more intelligent

it depends

is the ability to speak another language

part of intelligence

not necessarily

but be intelligent

and knowing for all languages do share

one thing in common

they're both painful

and by painful i don't mean the annuity

of tediously long lectures or vocabulary

and grammatical studies

or the expanse of time for the pursuit

of wisdom and knowledge

nor even

the loneliness your dedication to the

endeavor could bring up on you

the pain

the true torment

is the

confusion for the bigger the circle of

the known the greater the contact with

the unknown

and the more firmly unlearned beliefs

used to stand the more helplessly your

new identity totters

if you're lucky enough to study farsi

you may realize that not all the

beautiful poetry is written in your

mother tongue

the persian epics written in the

sassanid empire

are as beautiful as poems of the tang

dynasty if you happen to study spanish

you may realize that what you thought so

unique an aspect of your culture has a

similar counterpart in another culture

that the puerto rican amortia is almost

identical with the korean sunday if

russian is your language

you may realize that not all the

important battles that change the course

of human history were fought on your

native land

that the russian defeat of the golden

horde at the field of kulikuova is no

less significant than the reconquest of

granada in spain

can't you do this by reading history

one may ask

yes but history written by whom

and for whom

because you see after learning a

language

if you care enough

part of you becomes the member of the

tribe to which the language belongs

and that cultural schizophrenia

can be truly excruciating

that pain however

can be easily offset but the better

chances of employment in your job market

or the simple pleasures of impressing

your friends at the dinner table with

political intrigues and historical

anecdotes played out in five different

languages why then

would anyone was not a crazy masochist

want to learn a foreign language yes to

communicate with people

yes to travel to different places yes to

advance your career in a globalized

world yes it is good for your brain but

more importantly

as potentially excruciating as it is it

is for those curious enough to see the

world as it is and those brave enough to

tear down the veils of bigotry instead

of

comfortably hiding behind the linguistic

barrier and refusing to step forward and

know your fellow human beings or even

the so-called enemies

i am by no means accusing those not fond

of foreign languages of being cowards if

anything they have to be forever more on

their guard of the bigotries the

fatuities and the language barrier

and constantly seek more reliable

sources of information

indeed the pursuit of knowledge is

almost by definition a sort of masochism

and language learning is no exception

but in such pain

and perhaps only in such pain

can we overcome

misunderstandings bridge cultures and

civilizations

and find a world of peace and prosperity

you