Forewarned is forearmed. Exploring the value of self-improvement.

Recently, while riding a bike, I saw an athlete in front of me with an unusual inscription on a T-shirt. I could notice on it: “if you read this, you are too close”. Everyone knows the inscription on the side mirror of the motor vehicle, warning us that in the mirror objects are closer than they appear.

The scientists think that language is the second signaling system. It is a complex of conditioned reflex connections in the human brain, where the conditioned stimulus is a word, speech (“signal of signals”). It is developed on the basis of the first signal system in the process of communication. And the communication is supposed to be held only between people. Meanwhile, the first signal system is a set of analyzers that perceive environmental signals that come through the senses (sensations of color, smell, sound, taste, tactile sensations, visual images). And while the first signal system is typical for humans and animals, the second one is used only by people. We crave for communication. Even Robinson Crusoe was happy to meet Friday one day. During the day we receive a lot of information and we just need to share some of it with someone. By the way, it has long been noticed that it is first of all pronunciation that helps in the implementation of the plan. Usually we do not just share information; we search for the ways out.

And what else? Are there any other bonuses?

Cognitive function of a language is that of the highest importance. It helps us to accumulate, preserve and transmit information. We all were children. We all learned to talk naturally as we grew up. The same strategy is worth applying while learning a foreign language. We all start from something primitive. Several verbs and nouns covering one primitive topic.

The truth is that when I was learning language as a schoolgirl, I had missed the week when my classmates were learning to speak about their apartments. I was sick. Since then it has always been hard to me to find the words to describe my own room. So finally, I had to spent several days to memorize the vocabulary of this very topic. In general, learning a language is good for one’s health. A person who knows more than one language is more likely to live longer. And he will stay sane longer. Playing dominoes and chess goes well plus watching videos on Netflix with English and American stars.

From me to you. The best way to preserve knowledge.

It is time to speak about the accumulative function of a language. We use it to accumulate and preserve knowledge. And it is natural. Great libraries of the past were symbols of wealth and power. Centuries ago people lived in comparatively small communities. The sons usually learned the craft from their fathers and grandfathers. The children listened to their parents and memorized the hand movements. The whole dynasties of pizza makers still live in Italy. They have century-old traditions like world-known summer festivals.

But nowadays such examples are rather rare. New generations tend to crave for something new and they need to communicate faster and easier. Lots of unimaginable earlier demanded professions appear every year. Our grandmothers and grandfathers could not imagine that their grandchildren would one day become space tourism managers, mind fitness trainers, bioethicists or IT medics. IT-sphere is one of the fastest-growing industries. Ask any developer or quality tester and they will tell you that their work is impossible without proper communication. They solve questions with product owners, write project documentation, fulfill usability testing and this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Conclusion. Never say never.

Don’t be afraid to talk. As a rule, it is this uncontrollable fear that prevents many people from starting to speak a non-native language. Think of astronauts from international teams. They have one main rule. During the flight in a closed small cabin, every space explorer speaks his or her native language. Everyone else should be at a minimum level familiar with this language. This allows them to communicate.

It is well-known that everything that you said in a non-native language, with almost one hundred percent probability, will be understood by the one for whom this language is native. It won’t be very easy, but it will be as efficient as possible. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Only the one who is really inactive does not make mistakes. Experience is worth it. And do not forget the Marilyn Monroe’s words about imperfection as a synonym to beauty. She was an experienced actress, who knew that it is better to be absolutely ridiculous than to be absolutely boring.