When people speak a foreign language, they take on a different persona. They have to change the way they think, the way they use words and adapt to the culture of the person they are speaking to. The same applies to singing. Interestingly, some singers have a different voice when they speak, a different voice when they sing, and it takes on a whole new dimension when they do it in a foreign language. Is this due to our sense of alienation from a structure we know is not our own, or are there inherent stereotypes in the languages themselves?
From a young age, I always felt a step behind when it came to socialising. Whether it was playing with friends, talking to my teacher or trying to meet new people, I always had a feeling of introversion and shyness. Whether it was because I wasn’t good at speaking or because it was just in my nature, I couldn’t say. What I do know is that improving my language skills and pursuing hobbies helped me to gain confidence. However, I did come across something interesting. When I was talking about a foreign language or speaking in a foreign language, I didn’t feel like I was doing it at all. It wasn’t because I knew the language or was fluent. But I felt much more comfortable and free. So much so that I wasn’t even embarrassed to speak in front of a group; that anxious feeling seemed to disappear.
Fortunately, I have had the opportunity to travel abroad, even for short periods. I didn’t have any problems speaking a foreign language (whether it was a common one or a local one) because I always enjoyed the challenges that came with it. What’s interesting is that the local people of that country seemed as foreign to me as any random person in my own country. But somehow I didn’t feel shy; on the contrary, I felt curious and eager. I was not afraid. It was in those situations that I realised that I embodied all those characteristics that come with speaking a foreign language. Perhaps it was not only the language itself but also the person who spoke it that had a different experience. I felt happier, more emotional, more outgoing and more active. It was as if I belonged there, not where I actually lived. Of course, language alone cannot be the only reason for this; the place you are in, the time period and the purpose of your stay all play an important role.
As time went on, I actually learned that I wasn’t that unsociable after all. I just didn’t want to be in places where I didn’t feel I belonged. I guess that’s a natural reaction. But the truth is, whenever there’s a gathering or an environment where people from different cultures come together, I prefer to be there. Recently I met a close friend of mine and suddenly 8–10 young people started gathering in the cafe we were in. They were all speaking English, but it was clear that they were citizens of different countries. I felt the urge to join them and say hello. I envied them so much. I longed for that feeling. I wished they knew how lucky they were.
Photo by Sergey Tarasov on Unsplash
Basically, if you feel socially restricted, there can be many reasons for this. Don’t blame yourself. It’s about finding the right place, the right time, the right people, the right topics… On the contrary, think about the moments you’ve experienced. Which ones made you feel like your true self? These are the moments that you are belong to.
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