In addition to the one mentioned on the comments section of my profile, my second incentive for learning languages is to get familiar with the fascinating diversity of human culture. I am therefore equally interested, as a world citizen, in the intricate interplay between a language and the associated culutre and history in the wider context of the entire humanity. I want to understand and feel the unique character of a language and experience the purest essence that defines its identity and gives each its particular flavor. I regard each language as a gateway to its respective culture. This, in turn, I believe is essential to intellectual growth and personal development. It is one of the best ways I know for expanding my Lebenswelt. I don't just learn or even embrace a language. I celebrate it. I cherish languages. I cherish language.

Yet, this is not all of it. There is yet another reason besides the ones enumerated thus far. I find, increasingly, that a sizable proportion of the problems plaguing our world have less to do with technical limitations or inadequate resources, and more to do with widespread bigotry rooted in narrow perspectives and wanton greed bred by alienation and loneliness. Learning languages, it seems to me, is a way to partake of that sense of unity which prmotes empathy to drive the communication underlying much constructive co-operation. It is the key to attaining synergy. So I also learn languages to establish contact with an international community who are involved in developing sustainable solutions for global issues. (This website, by the way, is itself an admirable example of such solutions.) I wish to gain access to a wealth of information that is being generated every day and tap into the vast quantities of resources already available for this purpose.

For now, my only contribution is to empower my fellows by teaching them the languages I learn, so that they can join this network directly rather than through the slow and deficient proxy of translation and experience for themselves the thrill of belonging and connecting.