Kanimoli
All my life I was surrounded by multilingual people. Whether it was my parents, who spoke English and Tamil, or friends, or extended family. Wherever I was, and whoever I was talking to, they almost always knew two or more languages. Growing up, it was seeing the joy on the faces of the people they’re talking to, that I understand the importance of having a repertoire of languages, as it is an easy way to communicate to others, and emotionally connect with others.
My first language will always be Tamil, and I will always consider myself as a lifelong learner of Tamil. While I may now primarily speak in English, read in English, and write in English, Tamil is the language that connects me with my family, my culture, and my diaspora. Throughout my childhood, I had hopped around multiple different Tamil schools, learning how to read, write, speak properly, while also learning the core proverbs, phrases, and poetry that beautify Tamil. Younger me never appreciated the poetry of the language, and it was only after I had started enjoying French that I went back to re-learning Tamil proverbs.
That connection from French to Tamil was not instant nor expected. I had initially begun learning French in 7th grade to get a head start on my foreign language credit requirement for high school. I was initially not drawn to the language, and was, more often than not, forced by my parents to sit down and study French vocabulary in my free time. Around this time, my parents had also convinced me and my friends to join the Korean Language Club at my middle school, and had placed me in Hindi classes at the Sunday school I had gone to. The sudden influx of multiple languages upon me, was a burden then, but something I look fondly on and wish to go back and learn. I’m often hit with the nostalgia and regret of not taking other languages seriously, as I continue to progress my journey in French.
Continuing with French, I clearly remember, as we were reading Le Petit Prince in French 3, sophomore year of high school, that I started enjoying reading the book, as I was amazed by the little details that could only be understood by French readers. Being able to make connections to the French words I was reading, and apply it to the story is what encouraged me to start taking French more seriously, and not just as something to fill a foreign language requirement.
I will always be thankful for French, as it is the language that motivates me to be more interested in other languages, and I’ll always be thankful for Tamil, as it is the language that provides a method of communication that emotionally connects me with my family.