A Multilingual’s Voice and Personality Change

Have you ever noticed how a person’s voice and personality changes when they speak another language? I was a flight attendant for fifteen years and one of the things I loved about the job was speaking Italian, French and Spanish at work!

An English Gentleman and a Cheeky Italian

I remember Giancarlo, a charming Italian steward from Rome. When Giancarlo spoke English he seemed like the perfect English gentleman, he was suave and sophisticated and everyone loved him. Giancarlo and I spoke Italian most of the time and although I loved his English persona, I preferred the Italian one! When Giancarlo spoke Italian he was delightful; a happy soul who was cheeky and funny. Giancarlo’s partner didn’t speak Italian and I often thought it was sad to live with someone without knowing their authentic self!

Elegant and Sophisticated Accents

Don’t you just love accents? English sounds romantic and seductive with a French accent, melodic and musical with an Italian accent, and warm and inviting with a Spanish accent. The ‘lispy’ th sound, known as ceceo in Spanish, is a charming and distinctive feature that adds a unique twist! As an English teacher, I feel that I should help my students achieve an authentic English accent. At the same time, I think it’s sad to lose a foreign accent that can be so distinctive and unique! What do you think? Do foreigners lose some of their charm when they speak with a perfect English accent?

Two Souls

Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great, left a legacy of wisdom and leadership. One of his most notable quotes is: “To have another language is to have another soul”.

Losing My Soul

I have lived in Spain for well over twenty years and I love living here. It’s not only about the sun and the sea; I love the people, the culture and the language. I recently spent a year in Salcombe with my mum and dad. Salcombe is a charming town and I loved being there and spending time with my parents but I hardly spoke Spanish during that time and I felt like I had lost half of my soul! Does that happen to you? Do you feel sad when you don’t have much opportunity to speak your second language?

Idioms and Unique Nuances

Language opens up new worlds of expression, thought and connection. Each language carries its own unique nuances, idioms and cultural context, enriching our understanding of the human experience. Whether it’s the rhythmic flow of Spanish, the precision of German or the poetic elegance of French, each language adds a layer to our soul.

Over to You

I’d love to hear your comments on this! Does your voice or personality change or do you feel like you have another soul when you speak another language? Is there a particular language that you’re passionate about?

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