One Billion Friends: The Benefits of Learning a New Language

When I began to learn Mandarin Chinese, my parents were just as excited as I was. Our family had twice considered a move to Hong Kong in addition to visiting missionary friends in mainland China. These experiences gave me a love for the Chinese people and desire to connect with Chinese culture through language study. As my father was discussing this interest in conversation with a Taiwanese family friend, my dad commented on my goal to learn this extremely complex language. Our friend enthusiastically replied, “Great! Now she will have one billion more people she can talk to.” Indeed, the ability to converse with so many people is an amazing advantage, yet this would not be the only benefit I would receive. If I learned Mandarin, not only would I have one billion more people I could communicate with, but I would also gain the many benefits that come with learning a language.

Language learning is important for the brain, both for health and academics. It teaches the brain how to think and improves a variety of skills, from grammar to attention span. This skill  goes beyond the classroom, however, and allows us to bridge the gaps between different cultures. Study of a new language has the ability to help a person understand, engage, and connect with people from that language group’s culture. As Atticus Finch explains it in To Kill a Mockingbird, it gives us the chance to “climb into [someone’s] skin and walk around in it” (Lee, 1960, p. 33). Language and culture are truly intertwined, and learning a new language creates cultural awareness and increases empathy for that people group. Endangered languages are also important to consider, as language extinction negatively impacts the world. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, language learning is necessary for the advance of the gospel. To genuinely understand God’s gift to man, people need to hear the gospel in their own native language. It can be a way of showing God’s love to them and demonstrating their importance as human beings made in God’s image. These benefits point to the importance of language learning and should encourage all Christians in this endeavor due to its advantages for the brain, its importance in understanding other cultures, and its practicality for furthering the gospel.

While animals have ways of communicating, there is no doubt that true language, both spoken and written, is unique to humans. We do not often contemplate this distinctive feature of mankind, but it makes sense when we consider God’s role as “the Word.” God spoke – and the world was formed. God became the Word in Christ incarnate. God continues to communicate to us in His word, which, as Hebrews 4:12 tells us, is living and active (English Standard Version, 2001). Words, and language itself, are rooted in God and in his Word to us. The Bible indicates that languages are of importance, and it also stresses the fact that people of every nation, tribe, and language will be in heaven worshipping together (Rev 7:9, 2001).

Language learning trains the mind to think well and in unique ways. The systematic approach to most languages helps the brain pay attention to detail and reason in an orderly fashion, improving attention span, problem solving, and multitasking abilities. Language acquisition provides the brain with overall increased plasticity throughout life, due to the “mental juggling” bilinguals implement. Knowing two (or more) languages forces the speaker to select specific words or language in different settings. This language choice, referred to as code switching, forces the brain to be flexible (Kroll, 2017). In making the cognitive decision to change the language used, Kroll explains, “The bilingual is somehow able to negotiate between the competition of the languages. The speculation is that these cognitive skills come from this juggling of languages” and enables the bilingual person to be better than monolinguals at prioritizing tasks and multitasking (Kroll, 2017). In society today, where efficiency is prized, these abilities are highly valued. Language learning is a helpful means to train the mind in organization and gain the skills needed to perform in various arenas.

The relationship between language and thought is so strong that the enhanced brain activity gained through languages assists greatly in education. The National Education Association states that “second language study benefits academic progress in other subjects…, benefits basic skills development, benefits higher order, abstract and creative thinking, enriches cognitive development…” (National Education Association, 2007). Because students are able to be more focused on assignments, they show improved skills in math and science courses as well as in the language arts. In our education systems today, some note a fault: “Is it not the great defect of our education to-day…that although we often succeed in teaching our pupils “subjects,” we fail lamentably on the whole in teaching them how to think? They learn everything, except the art of learning” (Sayers, 1947). Education in a new language is, indeed, the essence of learning how to learn. One of the first things children are taught is grammar, which is the learned structure and use of language. This is a vital building block for all other education. In her famous essay, “The Lost Tools of Learning,” Dorothy Sayers goes on to stress the importance of language learning as a part of basic education. Consider the benefits children would have if, instead of leaving it at basic English grammar, they continued to be instructed in the nuances and complex systems of at least one additional language. It is widely acknowledged that the first stage of education, the grammar stage, is a language phase and is the fundamental basis of all types of learning. How much more, then, would learning a second language be beneficial to a person? The mental skills this additional piece of education provides for individuals is irreplaceable. This is the primary reason Latin is included in the Classical education process. Learning Latin, the root of all Romance Languages, is a vital stepping stone toward further learning, both of languages and basic logic. The structure and order of learning a language, such as Latin, provides a strong foundation for thinking in a clear and ordered manner.

Another factor to consider is Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the role of translation. Many say language learning will not be necessary, as we have technology at our fingertips to do it for us. While there is certainly a place and time for AI tools such as Google Translate, it is important to consider how much we are losing mentally by utilizing this tool instead of taking the time to learn a language. When using AI technology, the brain is not challenged to create new neural pathways that assist in studying and problem solving. The purpose of learning another language is not simply to have that bilingual ability, though it is extremely valuable, but also to expand the brain’s cognitive abilities and train it to think with logic and order. Thus, while Google Translate or other AI platforms can prove helpful, the brain loses significant cognitive benefits. Additionally, research has shown that platforms such as Duolingo, which strive to teach language through games, fail in effectively teaching the language. This is due to the “inherently social process” of language acquisition (Guillen & Sawin, 2025). Though it is more difficult and time consuming to learn a new language, the advantages of the process far exceed the convenience of artificial intelligence.

Not only does language learning provide cognitive advantages, it also improves one’s own quality of speech and writing. Johann Goethe, a 19th Century German author, has stated: “He who does not know foreign languages knows nothing about his own” (Costa, 2019). Take, for example, an English speaker learning Latin. Studying Latin’s order gives the English speaker a greater awareness of grammar and structure of their native tongue, improving conversation and comprehension. Additionally, sixty percent of English vocabulary has Latin roots, heightening the English speaker’s vocabulary (Dictionary.com, 2015). Learning another language forces the student to grasp sentence structure and conjugation that may not be present in their own tongue. For example, word order in Spanish differs from English in subject/adjective order as well as the ability of the subject location to change within a sentence (Cortez, 2024). Studying these variations helps the learner better understand the syntax of their own speech. Thus, the English speaker gains knowledge of another language and its grammar and nuances as well as a better grasp on their own language.

Another practical advantage of second language learning is its protection against cognitive decline. The scientific journal Nature has published a study which suggests that “people who are multilingual are half as likely to show signs of accelerated biological aging as are those who speak just one language” (Kavanagh, 2025). There is significant evidence suggesting that bi- or multilinguals have a decreased incidence of dementia. There are even programs dedicated to teaching older people a second language in the hope of preventing severe cognitive impairment. Recent studies have shown that the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are halted by up to five years in those that are fluent in more than one language (“Study shows,” 2021). Whether through functional advantages in mental acuity, scholastic merits, or personal benefits in native language understanding, second language learning proves to be an asset in varied useful ways.

The language-trained mind also demonstrates benefits in daily life, such as increased attention to tasks and a logical approach to situations. Language learning enhances our knowledge of English and highlights “positive link[s] between second language proficiency and cognitive and academic ability.” It also allows children to score higher in a variety of subjects and on standardized tests, and creates sharper memories (Marian & Shook, 2012). Ironically, language study is shown to increase both attention span and the ability to multitask. In a modern world where many people, especially young students, are tempted with attention-shortening activities such as social media, YouTube shorts, and generative artificial intelligence, the benefit of increased attention span development is crucial. Notably, language learning also provides the student with a goal that increases their endurance and dedication to a task. Depending on the language, it is said that a good rule of thumb is to become conversational in a language within six to twelve months of full-time study (Liskin-Gasparo, 1982). To reach true fluency, most people need to dedicate a minimum of two to three years to the language. This level of commitment is remarkable and grows the learner in the ability to accomplish long-term objectives. The cognitive benefits of language learning are truly remarkable, making us better thinkers and processors in almost every way.

Language learning strengthens our minds, communication, and awareness skills, but it also helps improve society by creating more understanding and globally aware citizens. Developing an understanding of the world in which we live is important for all people. Both Christian and non-Christian sources discuss this crucial point. To begin, learning another language guards against arrogance and cultivates humility. For most people, it is not easy to learn another language. It takes time, effort, and involves making many mistakes before a person can truly master this skill. The years of study it requires to command a second tongue shows care for that culture and also grows endurance and humility in the learner. One missionary couple, when asked how long it took for them to feel comfortable with Spanish (even while immersed in the language while living in Peru) surprisingly stated nine years! This type of commitment both requires and fosters perseverance and dedication. Humility is gained through the mistakes made in the process of language learning. Errors (saying the wrong word or phrase) will undoubtedly occur, and people are often embarrassed and discouraged when they mess up. For example, when our family was learning Mandarin, my mom was eager to practice with some Chinese students. She cheerfully told them one day, “I like to eat grapes,” but what she really said was, “I like to wear grapes!” It led to a funny connection with our international friends. Even though she made a mistake, the fact that she was engaging with these students and trying to connect with their culture meant a lot to them. This is where humility comes in – it takes “dying daily” before fluency comes, but with it comes gain of connection, understanding, and even humorous memories (Miller, 2022).

Language learning also demonstrates that there is not one right way of living; other cultures have equal value and importance in the world. T.S. Eliot explains this elegantly, “We are greatly helped to develop objectivity of taste if we can appreciate the work of foreign authors, living in the same world as ourselves, and expressing their vision of it in another great language” (Wise & Bauer, 1999). There is so much that can be gained by reading articles and books from other cultures – and how can we do that if we can’t speak or read the language? To truly understand the text, the heart of the language must be understood.

To learn a culture, you have to learn the local language. These two things – culture and language – are inseparable. Languages explain the mindset and thought process of people groups. To study a language is to “study the way other cultures express themselves” (Wise & Bauer, 1999). Additionally, studying foreign languages helps people understand how writers from other cultures deal with words, giving insight and glimpses into their way of thinking (Wise & Bauer, 1999). To further this thought, think about what is commonly said when someone asks advice about learning a new language. No one recommends simply reading a textbook or just practicing with a native speaker for a few days. Rather, the almost universal response is that, to learn a language, it is best if you’re immersed in it. Why would that be? It is because language fits hand in hand with the culture; you can not just have one part of this combination for it all to make sense.

This concept regarding the study of how foreign writers process words is actually a significant topic in the seminarian world. Recently, a number of evangelical seminaries have questioned the time-old requirement of original languages for Bible study. Realizing the hazard of eliminating study of Biblical languages, Professor Rob Plummer makes a hard case for the seminarian's understanding of Greek and Hebrew. He stresses, “Because we value the breathed-out, inerrant word of God as the final authority for our Christian beliefs and practices, ministerial students must be students of the original languages” (Plummer, 2023). While Plummer would agree that an English Bible translation, such as the New English Translation or the New Living Translation, is the inspired Word of God, he notes the variation between English Bible translations. The Bible in its original Hebrew and Greek often has one word for something. Depending on the translation, though, that one word might be interpreted in a number of ways. These various English words are trying to get at what the one Hebrew or Greek word means. They are not wrong but may not fully convey an understanding of exactly what that word means in the original text. This deeper understanding is important for teachers of the Word. Occasionally, revisions of the Biblical text translation are necessary. In these situations, the translators are required to go back to examine the original text. It is impossible to do this if they do not know Biblical Greek or Hebrew. Additionally, learning Hebrew and Greek is important for a pastor or seminarian’s depth of teaching. Plummer cites Martin Luther’s summary of this idea:

Although the Faith and the Gospel may be proclaimed by preachers without the knowledge of languages, the preaching will be feeble and ineffective. But where the languages are studied, the proclamation will be fresh and powerful, the Scriptures will be searched, and the Faith will be constantly rediscovered through ever new words and deeds (Plummer, 2023).

To truly understand the gospel well enough to teach it, knowledge of the original, God-inspired, words is foundational. Plummer definitively states: learning the original Biblical languages saves time. Although not an intuitive thought, Plummer explains this stance well: “Time is limited. A working knowledge of Greek and Hebrew saves time by connecting the minister directly with the text and directly with the best resources” (Plummer, 2023). Learning the original languages of the Bible takes effort and dedication, but it will save a seminarian time and confusion in the long run.

Since language and culture are intertwined, and we gain empathy and understanding when we learn another language, then it follows that we lose something when languages disappear. Thus, it is important to consider endangered languages. An endangered language is one that is at a risk of not being spoken anymore. In other words, it might go “extinct.” When entire languages disappear, their cultures do as well. Any insights these people might have had (oral or written) die right alongside their language. Additionally, this loss of history and knowledge affects all of humanity. What if this dead language had a cure for cancer written down in an old textbook? Well, that remedy can not be accessed after the language is gone. This is an extreme scenario, but it points in the right direction. Charlene Kwan summarizes this concept well in her essay, “Why Should We Preserve Endangered Languages?” She states: “Language is a fundamental pillar when it comes to cultural knowledge transmission, communication, cultural identity and innovation…The languages that are going extinct are crucial parts of their communities’ identities, which enrich our world’s diverse community” (Kwan, 2024). Our world genuinely loses something every time a language becomes extinct.

It is easy to confuse an extinct language with a dead language. A well-known “dead” language is Latin. Nobody speaks Latin anymore, but many scholars still read the language. When a language is extinct, however, it means that there is no one left who can read, speak, or write in that language. So, while Latin texts and histories can still influence culture and society today, an extinct language is gone forever, along with all the knowledge that culture possessed. Consider, for a moment, how different the world would be if nobody could read a word in Latin. Consider how many texts – epics such as the Aeneid, history like Caesar’s De Bello Gallica, poetry by Ovid and Catullus, and orations like that of Cicero – have influenced our society today. To be without them would be a loss to literature, rhetoric, and education as a whole. This is the case for every language that has gone extinct.

Another reason endangered languages are important is due to the distinctive nature of every language and therefore every culture. There are unique words and patterns to every tongue. In his article, “What We Lose When We Lose Language-Learning,” Trevin Wax gives the example of a dozen words for snow in Central Alaskan Yupik. There are literally untranslatable words in every language. Because of this, it is important to think about language learning as learning a culture, not just understanding grammar structures. Wax states, “The more fluent you are in another language, the more you realize that some words are virtually impossible to translate accurately. You come across concepts and shades of meaning that find no one-to-one correspondence” (Wax, 2019). Thus, to truly understand a culture, we must learn the language.

If part of the purpose of learning a language is to better understand a culture or relate to a person, then Google Translate and Artificial Intelligence platforms also affect this understanding. To start, it is hard to relate with a phone screen. Deep conversations would be challenging to even initiate when using such an impersonal way of communication. Constantly translating back and forth would make the conversation impossible to continue for long. However, this is the least of the AI translation problems. Many languages require more than simply a “correct translation.” Malcolm Gladwell provides an excellent example of this in his book Outliers. He states that “the Korean language has no fewer than six different levels of conversational address, depending on the relationship between the addressee and the addresser…” (Gladwell, 2008). This makes Korean a very hard language to translate using AI, as the nuances of the underlying meaning would not be evident. This is something that can only be learned in the context of the original combination of culture and language. Gladwell provides a sample conversation between an employee (Mr. Kim) and his boss (Kwachang) to demonstrate his meaning:

“Kwachang: It’s cold and I’m kind of hungry.
[Meaning: Why don’t you buy me a drink or something to eat?]
Mr. Kim: How about having a glass of liquor?
[Meaning: I will buy liquor for you]” (Gladwell, 2008)

The conversation goes on, but this gives the general idea: Korean is a very hard language to understand if you do not know the culture. Across societies, it is necessary to learn culture in order to connect and gain true understanding. To learn the culture, the language must first be learned; this must be done in person and not through a computer program.

Language learning has countless benefits for the individual, but the most notable are its advantages for others, specifically in regard to proclaiming the gospel of Christ. Jesus commands all believers to tell others the Good News. The Great Commission, part of Jesus’s final instructions to his followers, charges us to “go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt 28:19, emphasis added, 2001). Within this mandate is the necessity of the body of Christ to reach all people groups, and thus all languages. It follows, therefore, that all languages need someone that can proclaim the words of life – how can we go if we do not know how to speak to the nations?

In view of the importance of evangelism, there is a certain need for clarity in presenting the gospel; it is too important a topic to afford any mistakes or misunderstandings. Paul the apostle even remarks on the need for precision when he writes in Colossians 4:3-4, “...Pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word…that I may make [the gospel] clear, which is how I ought to speak” (2001). In this, language learning is essential for Bible translation and gospel proclamation. We need to ensure people understand the hope of Christ and are in turn teaching others correctly. Thus, using the mother tongue to reach people with truth is essential. Barbra Grimes reasons that “being a disciple [of Christ] involves more than passive comprehension.” She explains, “...For ministry that really reaches unreached peoples, mother tongue ministry is not just valuable, it is crucial” (Grimes, 2009). Nate Irwin, Pastor of Global Outreach and seasoned missionary to Pakistan, provides a helpful analogy when considering this topic: if we switched the roles around, and someone was trying to convert us to their religion, would you be more willing to listen if they took time to learn English to talk directly to you? (personal communication, November 11, 2025). Indeed, learning through our own language would not only make the message more relatable but aid in our true understanding of the good news.

To share the gospel, we also need to be able to think culturally to explain the Word of God in ways relevant to that society. This clarity requires learning the heart language of a people group, not just the trade vernacular. The importance of learning the primary communicative vocabulary is evidenced in Acts at Pentecost, when God spoke to the people in their own language – not one, general tongue. Likewise, just as God presented truth to people in their own understanding, so the early Christians needed to take the message they had received (in Aramaic) and relay it to Greek-speakers. This required them to “express Christian truth in the thought patterns of their receptors. Indigenous words and concepts were used…to deal with topics such as God, church, sin, conversion, repentance…” (Kraft, 2009). It is paramount that the essential message of the gospel remains the same in all contexts; however, the articulation of the message explanation of various topics will differ from culture to culture and language to language (Kraft, 2009).

Where the written Word is not available, the connection of hearing a person speaking one’s own language has immense value. In his article “Covering the Globe,” Patrick Johnstone explains the accessibility of audio tracts. He writes, “The medium also lends itself to fairly quickly producing gospel messages for a multitude of languages and dialects” (Johnstone, 2009). These are also useful for smaller people groups “that would not otherwise be served with…written Bible translation for many years to come” (Johnstone, 1998). Gospel audio tracts are especially of use for an illiterate people group or one without a written language. The only way to effectively communicate the gospel in situations like these is through audio tracts. One of my favorite gospel stories, from the book With Two Hands, illustrates the importance of one audio tract. Though I read this story years ago, I have never forgotten it. It goes something like this. A missionary and his wife were ministering to a man in Ethiopia. They could not understand his language, but someone was able to translate, and he ended up becoming a Christian. Eventually, the man got sick and died, but before he died, he was able to record the  gospel in his own language. However, nobody knew what this language was. Years went by, and the missionaries had moved to another region in Ethiopia, but still nobody could place this language. One day, the missionaries were hiking through the country and sharing the gospel with remote tribes. As they walked, they heard a voice, “Do you have the words of life?” The missionary was ecstatic. “Yes!” he cried. They communicated the gospel to him in a mutual language but wanted to find an audio tract so this man could hear the gospel in his mother tongue. Having brought several cassettes with recordings, they played them for the man. One of them he understood, and he played it over and over again. He told the missionary, “This is my son’s voice.” His son was the man who had died in the mission hospital years before. After questioning the man further, the missionary learned that this man had had a dream twenty years prior that the “words of life” would come to him. Ever since, he had dragged himself out on the road to ask those passing by if they had the words of life. Now, this audio tract had come with the words of life in his own son’s voice. Even though the man was looking for the gospel, he did not understand it until he heard it in his own language. God will use any means necessary to reach the lost peoples of the world in their own tongue.

All Christians, and especially missionaries, should take this information to heart. Jonathan Sharp offers intriguing insight regarding language learning’s effects on mission work in his article “Language Acquisition and Effective Gospel Contextualization.” Sharp states, “Missionaries who do not experience continuous culture and language learning reported having a shorter, less fulfilling term of service.” This is, in part, because missionaries have “meaningful interactions and friendships” when they learn the local language (Sharp, 2023). Missionaries need to build connections and relationships with others, not just for their own benefit or need for friends, but also to create opportunities to share the gospel. In other words, missionaries must learn the local language in order to find commonalities with those of different cultures, which is a way to “build bridges of grace that can stand the weight of truth” (Alcorn, 2004).

Additionally, learning another language is “...also a powerful way of showing God’s love” (Sharp, 2023). Taking the time to invest in another culture and society demonstrates interest and care to those people. As has already been discussed, the time and effort needed to master a language is remarkable. For someone outside of a culture to be so dedicated to learning another language displays an affection for the hearer and establishes an immediate depth of connection. This can be especially true for indigenous peoples or those with endangered languages. Elaborating, Jonathan Sharp writes that “many minority people groups have had their language and culture rejected by their society and government. We show people that we love and value them as we learn their language and culture. Jesus is the ultimate example of this in his act of incarnation” (Sharp, 2023). In fact, the Bible tells us that Jesus is the Word – that He comes to communicate with us, in a way that we can understand. As Christians, Jesus is our ultimate example. We strive to live like Him and bring the words of truth to others.

The concept that learning a language can be a way of showing love to others sheds light on Google Translate and other AI translating platforms. The love shown by the work it takes to learn a language and the context of that culture is vital in sharing the gospel. It is just about impossible to attain this level of love and dedication for a person or people group when using Google Translate. If we take the time to learn their culture and mother tongue, the chances of others at least listening to the truth presented are vastly greater. This is summarized well in the article, “What AI Earbuds Can’t Replace:” “The effort of learning a language communicates respect, trust and a willingness to see the world through someone else’s eyes” (Guillen & Sawin, 2025). What better way to communicate the gospel?

Since love can be shown through language acquisition, we can observe its importance for gospel proclamation from Cameron Townsend’s article “Tribes, Tongues, and Translators,” as well as from Jesus Himself. Cameron Townsend, founder of Wycliffe Bible Translators and a missionary to Central America, uses Jesus’s parable of the lost sheep to display the importance of learning indigenous peoples’ heart tongues. In Matthew 18:11-12, Jesus explains,

“for the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that is straying?” (2001).

Jesus came to Earth to reach all sinners. He will not leave anyone behind. Townsend’s point was that we, as followers of Christ, should have the same mindset as Him and desire to reach all peoples of the Earth, giving “out-of-the-way” tribes a chance to hear the gospel. When Townsend was serving in Central America, he was told: “those Indians aren’t worth what it would take to learn their outlandish language…let the Indians learn Spanish” (Townsend, 2009). Though many today would recognize this as the rude and unthoughtful statement it was, we want to be careful that our thoughts and attitudes do not fall into this unloving trap. I myself have sometimes fallen prey to the thought process of “let others learn English; I do not want to learn their language.” We may say it more subtly, but in reality, this notion is just as thoughtless and careless as what Townsend was told. The fact of the matter is that these indigenous people Townsend ministered to, as well as every tribe (no matter how small), are included in the Great Commission and the prophetic vision in Revelation 7:9: “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb” (2001). The multitudes “can get there only if they hear the Word in a language they can understand. How else could they be saved?” (Townsend, 2009). For the gospel to be preached in all the world, each nation must have a believer to preach, and those believers must know that people’s language. Matthew 24:14 proclaims, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (2001). In order to go after the scattered sheep, tangibly demonstrate God’s love, and advance the gospel to the ends of the earth, language learning is non-negotiable.

God created all peoples, and God created all languages. Though learning a new language often comes with hard work and frustration, its benefits will prove to outweigh the struggles along the way. Thus, learning a new language should be a priority for all Christians. Language learning’s benefits for the brain are numerous, from training the mind to think logically to increasing attention span – all very important for the technologically focused and immersed society of today. Additionally, language learning is necessary for the insight it provides into other cultures, as language and culture go hand-in-hand. Endangered languages are also of note. The individuals who speak these dying languages are people, too, and their culture and contributions are worth learning from. Finally, language learning’s importance is most notable for the advancement of the gospel. God commands us in the Great Commission to “go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19, 2001), and how is this possible unless we can clearly explain the gospel in the languages of the nations?

Bishop Erik Varden, in his “In Praise of Translation,” states, “Theology is in essence translation, an attempt to frame in human terms an eternal Word” (Varden, 2025). This is exactly why Christians should learn a foreign language. We need to know the grammar and nuances of a language in order to speak it fluently, just like the more we learn about theology the more we know about God and the Bible. We need to know the language to understand the culture, just like we need to know theology to better understand how to apply the gospel in a variety of contexts. We need the language, the cultural context, and theology in order to effectively share and teach the gospel. My own hope is that some day I will finally master the Chinese language, and in doing so, enhance my own mental capabilities and help advance the gospel.

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