Nearly all four-year degree programs require at least two semesters of a foreign language, and many two-year degree programs do as well. Many of us are ungifted at foreign languages and struggle to fulfill these requirements. For some students, these classes are the only thing standing between them and a much higher GPA. Why, then, is it a requirement?

Let us set aside, for a moment, the argument that learning about another language and culture allows us to appreciate and empathize with people from that culture. Let us ignore the personal benefits of a broad general education. Disregard the idea that a broader understanding of the world around you better helps you to understand the implications of what you do in your chosen field. Let us discard, for the moment, the imperialist attitude that allows us English speakers to not only expect everyone who comes to our country to speak our language, but to expect everyone in any country we visit to speak our language. Though these arguments are good, and have many very relevant points, let us presume that you care nothing for them and simply want to be a more awesome person.

There is a fairly old theory known as linguistic relativity. Some might recognize it as the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis, the Whorf Hypothesis or Whorfianism, though these are all misnomers. The theory asserts that the languages we know shape our thoughts. It is a reasonable theory; subjective experience and informal interviews with multilingual individuals reveal a sharp distinction in personality and thought patterns in different languages, even within the same person. People who grow up speaking multiple languages often see academic success and find it easier to learn new languages than others.

We all think in a language. We process thoughts using grammar and words in the language in which we have grown accustomed to communicating. We see the world through glasses colored by our linguistic heritages. Learning another language gives us another lens to put in our mind, another point of view from which to see the world and another way of thinking with which to tackle problems and create ideas.

Creativity and innovation occur within monolinguistic paradigms, but why limit yourself? Choose whatever language you want, and expand your mind. See the world from someone else’s point of view. You might learn something.