Learning English Has Ruined My Life

Learning a foreign language can be a bad idea - well, to an extent, depending on how far you go. For me, it definitely made my life better and worse - and it's certainly not an understatement to say: learning English has ruined my life. Find out why in this video. :)
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[@deivclayton]

I've found a similar effect for me as an American, learning multiple languages. The more I learn of these other languages, the more I notice how trapped neighbors and friends are in the program of their native tongue. Languages affect how we are able to think-- learning new languages expand our ability to process the world in other ways, but it does create a sense of loneliness because you find yourself thinking in ways that ostracize you from your community.

[@existentiallance6034]

“You slowly realise that fewer and fewer people can fully relate to the world, and the things, and the experience you have been exposed” I totally understand.

[@robertgould8099]

To add a note: I am a retired 85 y.o. surgeon who spent much of his life helping people - sometimes with difficult or impossible problems. I have been retired for 23 years, remarried for 9 and have a small dog. Helping other people out has been among the most gratifying experiences I have had. Even now, no longer practicing medicine, I get the opportunity to recommend treatment protocols or physicians to my neighbors and, on occasion still can intervene to help save a life. Little things, like being kind to a baby bird that fell from the nest, giving it water and bread or kind to our dog or other animals. These are the things I find most special about life.

[@bdfunke]

This video has clickbait title yet this woman so eloquently describes her struggles and pain that comes with growth and learning. She doesn’t state what happened to her as regret but realizes she is at a new place in her life. Then goes on to say how not only how she’ll cope but how she can move on from where she is now. It was so worthwhile to watch. I’m grateful.😊

[@meimiaolin2581]

As a New Zealand born Chinese I'm seen as an outsider which I am not but, while in China people fully embrace me as one of them which I find overwhelming. It is like being trapped between two worlds neither of which I fully belong.

[@cheahjoseph7950]

I fully understand your being a Chinese who has been infused with Western exposure, thinking and learning...many are like you when they return to their country and find that the national average mindsets are so different. So, one feels somewhat disconnected and lonely. You are someone who can explain China to the world and you are doing that brilliantly. Thank you.

[@benleroux835]

The problem with English as the dominant force on other language cultures, is that it is an onesided influence. For balance, exposure to more languages is needed.

[@trekpac2]

It is wonderful to see such a thoughtful and intelligent, in fact intellectual individual. I love the way you express yourself with great wisdom.

[@Bergerons_Review]

Learning English made me able to understand the world. The more you know the worst it gets.

[@gemthepolyglot3258]

I can completely relate to this. I’m an American living in Taiwan that studies International Relations, and I can speak up five languages. I find find very difficult to talk most of my countrymen about anything in my fields of study, just because most of them don’t travel and usually only speak English. While living abroad everyone sees me as a foreigner, but when I go back home I also feel like I’m in a foreign land.

[@Paul-rs4gd]

I am a native English speaker, and I learned Spanish to a good level. For me it has been a totally positive experience. I do agree with the idea that when you learn a foreign language, you get a new outlook on the world. Language and culture are intertwined - you inevitably pick up the foreign culture and values. I feel and express myself differently when I am speaking or thinking in Spanish.

[@sakura44553]

I had ones a student like you - excellence in everything, knowing her culture, knowing foreign languages. But she missed meaningfull interactions until she was turning into a very deep crises. She turned into supporting others and understood step by step (it was a long journey) what live means: Meaningfull interactions. The little lonelyness will always stay with you, but over the years the emptiness will fill in with wonderful experiences in Chinese and English - and many other languages. Learning languages always opend for me new worlds, new opportunities. Look for more...

[@bobhooker3405]

Yes, I understand what you mean. The more you immerse yourself in the world the less you have in common with the people of you own native culture. The pain is that when you can live anywhere, you live nowhere.

[@botcontador3286]

I've just discovered your channel and oh boy, you eloquently put into words what once I felt in the whole process of leaving my home country (brazil), studying abroad, coming back home after several years and having that dreadful feeling of not being able to connect with my fellow compatriots anymore like it was before. Also your videos about how China is viewed by world, how it views itself and how all that affect/had affected you are just master pieces.

[@mojojoedwards]

I get you! I'm an Indonesian Chinese, with a Malaysian Chinese mother, who grew up in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, and now works in Qatar. Very well written, poignant! I am grateful to have ever come across your channel <3

[@chenilleoneil1289]

This hits close to home. I know what’s like to engage with family and friends and still feel desperately lonely because they have yet to master empathy and the ability to foresee the consequences of their actions. And some of these people are more than twice my age.

[@durban6276]

What a beautiful, coherent essay on learning multiple languages, and by extension, cultures. The internet is a dangerous thing these days, but there are still gems like you. Best of luck finding other travelers that can appreciate and share your voyage.

[@edmundpotrzeba6094]

I went through very similar experiences to you and I’m 73 of polish, English and Scottish extraction and a man. What I believe you experienced was your emotional and intellectual growth , sometime a very difficult and lonely place. The more you understand about yourself and the universe the fewer people you can relate to but trust me your going in the right direction . By the way the most intelligent people of our species , regardless whether your Chinese ,Arabic , black , French , Latin will relate to you but you’ll have to wait for the rest ( which is the majority) to catch up with you. ❤️

[@skinnydogkew]

People this intelligent aren’t usually this self aware. That whole message was a delightful triumph. Blown away.

[@robbywendel7229]

That loneliness comes when your outlook on life and values change. I feel lonely quite a lot because talking to most people leaves me unfulfilled or misunderstood. But it also makes those rare people you find that think in a similar way to you very special, and it makes you very grateful to have them in your life.