When one thinks of learning a language, some things that often come to mind are grammar, vocabulary and proper pronunciation. But how many of us realize that culture is an essential part of learning a language?
Culture plays a bigger role in language than many realize. The main aspect is that a language is more than just words or phrases. There are emotions, sometimes intense, behind those words. If you study the history and culture behind a language, you will realize how much it especially influences the richness of its vocabulary. It will help you understand why some words and expressions are next to impossible to translate into other languages.
So next time you set out to learn a language, don’t just stop at language learning textbooks. Read books or reasearch online about the culture behind the language and how history has shaped it. You have nothing to lose by doing so 🙂.
Polyglot in Progress 