The word polyglot is a Greek word meaning “many languages,” which is often used to describe a person who is multilingual. In today’s world, communication is key and knowing a second language increases a person’s ability to communicate. Being able to speak more than two languages is even better. Multilingual people, or polyglots, have advantages that unilingual people do not. Being a polyglot opens many doors for a person, both in the workplace and social life.

Studies by scientists have shown that being bilingual is good for the brain. Multilingualism improves the brain’s “executive-function,” which is a command system that controls how people perform mentally demanding tasks like ignoring distractions, switching attention from one thing to another and retaining information. Bilingual people also showed signs of being better problem solvers than unilingual people. Studies have also shown that being bilingual can help prevent Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Not only is being multilingual good for communication, it is also good for the mind.

As a freight forwarder being bilingual has helped me immensely in my day to day work activities. Speaking Spanish fluently has assisted in building strong bonds with clients. I communicate better with clients as emails are easily sent in Spanish rather than translated English. Verbally communicating in my client’s native language not only increases their comfort level but also greatly reduces the likelihood of a miscommunication or misunderstanding. Ultimately, being bilingual makes me more efficient in my work by allowing me to better communicate with clients.

Speaking a second language allows me to perform at a level above and beyond our client’s and J.W. Allen’s expectations. In today’s global economy and especially in the international trade environment, being bilingual is not just a plus, it’s a necessity.

Monicah “Taty” Hamburger
Export Account Representative