I should’ve seized those opportunities to learn new languages. When I was still in university, our Department of Linguistics offered free language classes—I should’ve signed up for a Japanese class back then! It would have been so much easier for me to learn while I was younger…you know, memory and all. Ah, regrets! Anyway, this post isn’t about me sulking over one of my many regrets in life. Instead, I’d love to discuss the advantages of being a bilingual or multilingual reader.

My first language is Filipino, and according to an unofficial ESL (English as a Second Language) test, I’m above average in English (though I’m taking that result with a grain of salt, ha!). I’m also self-studying Japanese, though my level is extremely basic—I’m more comfortable reading than writing or speaking. I can understand Ilocano, one of the official languages in the Philippines (from the hundreds we have!), and I’m tempted to try Korean (mostly because I want to catch up on a certain webcomic so badly!). Plus, I’ve heard it’s a bit easier than Japanese.

It’s really fun to learn, speak, and read in other languages aside from your own. And that’s why I’m giving it a spotlight today. But not as a speaker, but as a reader. I think it’s a good thing to learn a language or two. I don’t know, it’s just great, and perhaps these incentives will give you the push you need to sign up for that class! Language is fun!

I get to read it in the original language.

One of the perks is getting to read books in their original language. Translation is an intricate process since not every word has a direct equivalent in another language. It’s not just about literal meanings; translating the context and nuances can be challenging. Hats off to translators who give their best to let readers enjoy stories in as close to the original form as possible.

That said, I like to read stories in their original language whenever possible. I’m comfortable reading in English, so I have no problem with it. While trying to read Japanese, I learned that there are nuances that can’t be directly translated in another language, and it’s the same with Filipino. For example, in Filipino, we call an older sister or older female “ate.” In Japanese, it’s “oneesan,” and in Korean, the term differs based on the gender of the person speaking—girls say “unni,” while boys say “noona.” This is perhaps an Asian tradition, as I’m not sure if Western cultures have similar terms.

In translating a story, a few things sometimes need to be sacrificed, and certain phrases don’t sound as good as in the original language. For instance, puns often don’t translate perfectly and lose some essence. So, reading in the original language is a huge perk that allows for a richer experience and a wider selection!

And there’s the culture thing.

There’s also the cultural aspect. Language is synonymous with culture, in my view. There’s no reason for an American publisher to publish a Filipino-language book for an English-speaking audience—it’s not their language or target market. So if I want to read in Filipino, I’ll read a Filipino book. If I want an authentic Japanese story, I’d rather read a Japanese novel (or graphic novels, in my case). I don’t want to read a pseudo-Japanese book in English, which, if anything, feels like cultural appropriation.

Diversity. /nuff said

I’m not super keen on Western authors writing about other cultures unless they’ve done thorough research and approach the theme with genuine enthusiasm. Never take the reader’s knowledge for granted. I’d also love to see more foreign authors gaining big platforms and opportunities for wider readership. Personally, I prefer representation by someone who knows and has lived the experience—but that doesn’t mean I’m closed off to others writing about different cultures. It all comes down to respect and thoughtful treatment. I love authenticity, even in fictional stories.

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And that’s it! So the floor is yours: How many languages do you know? Aside from what I mentioned above, what other perks do bilingual or multilingual readers enjoy? Share with me!