Explore how languages shape cultural identity and foster deeper connections across diverse experiences
BYU–Hawaii students said languages they learned on their missions became a gateway to meaningful connections and a richer understanding of their identities. Through experiences with languages, they said developed greater empathy and patience towards others and strengthened connections with diverse cultures.
A study published by Psychological Science reveals learning a new language unlocks deeper layers of self-awareness and transforms people’s worldviews. Somaya Alshehri, a researcher, asserts language not only reflects who people are but also shapes how they wish to be perceived. This sentiment echoes through centuries, from Charlemagne’s famous adage, “To speak another language is to have another soul,” to contemporary research on language and identity.
Wabi-sabi
Scott Patrick, an adjunct faculty member in the Faculty of Arts & Letters, said he learned to speak and teach the gospel in Nihongo, a language he struggled with due to its differences from English, while serving as a full-time missionary in the Japan Kobe Mission from 1983 to 1984. “Languages like French, German and Norwegian are easier for me to learn as a native English speaker,” he said. While Japanese, Thai and Korean are naturally harder, he said he was so bad at it that he called his attempts “Pidgin Japanese.”
Patrick found learning the language undeniably challenging, and just when he thought he had nearly mastered it, the U.S. government paid him to forget it upon his return home, he said. “They invited me to be part of a research project where they pay you to forget a learned language to see how long it takes,” he said. “By the time the research was over, I didn’t even know how to do the usual missionary door approach in Japanese anymore!”
Now, decades later, Patrick said he integrates Japanese and other languages into his lessons. “I learned to appreciate Nihongo and make it a part of my life and teaching,” he shared.
The lessons he learned from speaking a language different from his own have improved all aspects of his life, he said. “Because learning Japanese was hard for me, it made me exert more effort into mastering it,” Patrick said. “It taught me how to show empathy and appreciation towards those who find it hard to learn English, because I’ve been there when I was learning Japanese.” He said he learned patience, kindness and gentleness, which helped him establish his compassion-focused teaching in English.
Today, one of the most unforgettable lessons he teaches in ENGL 101 is “wabi-sabi,” a Japanese word that conveys finding the intrinsic beauty in simplicity and minimalism. “Wabi-sabi taught me to appreciate imperfect things. It sort of has become a part of my aesthetic,” Patrick shared. In wabi-sabi, he said one can find a greater sense of contentment.
Duettda
Joshua Tonga, a junior from Utah majoring in political science, said he learned “a new way of seeing people” while serving in the Seoul Korea Mission from 2021 to 2023. Hangugeo, the South Korean language, is divided into different forms depending on who the speaker is talking to, he said. “Because there are forms like the high form, which is used to converse in a very polite way, I learned to respect individuals no matter what their background.”
When Tonga speaks in Korean, he shared he can set a certain atmosphere for the conversation using words alone. “It has taught me to be professional and respectful, wherever I am or whoever I’m talking to,” he said. “While English humor often involves self-deprecating jokes, Korean jokes, on the other hand, don’t rely too much on sarcasm, which maintains a certain kindness in their humor.”
He said his favorite Korean word is “duettda.” He explained, “It’s something my companions and I would shout out when we accomplished a goal. It means that you’ve achieved something, and you’re celebrating it.” He added,“It feels so satisfying. We say it when we score in futsal. It’s like saying ‘Goal!’ in soccer.”
Through the Korean language, Tonga said he discovered a deeper perspective on politeness and respect, but he also yearns for something more in a different language. “English has always been my native language, but my parents speak fluent Tongan, and my last name is Tonga,” he said. “I’ve always felt some form of identity displacement because I’m pure Tongan, but I don’t know the language.”
He said he always felt that way until he studied at BYUH. “Coming to the university, even if I still don’t know how to speak the language, I’ve met people who can help me complete that part of my identity,” he said. “I’ve learned Tongan values and the Tongan culture, and it just feels great.”
Expiación
Ethan Smith, a biology major from Kauai, Hawaii, said he grew to love the Atonement of Jesus Christ during his service in the Colombia Barranquilla Mission from 2022 to 2024. “I thought the English vocabulary was very specific,” he said. “But when I came to Colombia, I realized there were things I could only completely explain through Spanish. When I speak in Spanish, everything just makes more sense.”
Smith said learning and speaking Spanish made him smarter. “When I learned the language, I was able to understand a whole bunch of cultures. It felt like I could take an entire continent’s culture and explore each one of them,” he said. He shared one of the best things he loved about the language was the way it was used in music. “You can discover and be amazed by so many words by just listening to their songs.”
Smith shared that his favorite word in Spanish is “expiación” which in English translates to “Atonement.” Because of the word, he said he grew to love the Atonement even more. “It makes the Atonement more specific,” he said. “The word means ‘to replace something.’ While the word ‘Atonement’ is more general in a sense, the word ‘expiación’ is specific enough for you to appreciate the individual effects of the Atonement.”
“When I learned Spanish, my testimony of God’s love increased,” he shared. “I know that God truly loves all His children. In the last area of my mission, we often taught and lived with indigenous people. I didn’t know how to speak their language, but whenever they prayed, I could always feel the Spirit.” Smith said moments like that gave him more certainty that God’s love is infinite.