8 Awesome Perks of Being Bilingual
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Coming from an Ecuadorian-American family, the first language I ever learned to speak was Spanish. I asked for everything from my comida to my juguetes, until it was finally time to go to school and I picked up English. In my 20s now, I speak both languages fluently and I'm so thankful for that. Being bilingual has helped me in the professional sense — opening more doors and possibilities — and personally, too, by helping me create stronger bonds with my friends and giving me a part of my culture I'm able to teach my boyfriend.
If you're also bilingual (whether it's Spanish and English or another combination), you know there are even more perks to speaking more than one language. It can be as simple as getting around abroad without any issues or as great as getting free things from people who also speak your second language, but those small things make a huge difference. Scroll ahead for eight amazing pluses of being a polyglot.
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You can speak in code to your friends.
Like a secret handshake, but with words. We know, we know; it is kind of rude, but sometimes it's necessary.
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Traveling to a Spanish-speaking country is NBD for you.
It's survival of the fittest, and you are the fittest.
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Sometimes it literally saves you money.
You walk into a store, say hi to the owner in Spanish, and boom, a discount is immediately added to your bill. Heck, sometimes you get stuff for free. It's OK if you're feeling yourself on this, we all do.
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A second language means more pet names for your SO.
Amor, cariño — the list goes on and on. If you speak the language, you don't look ridiculous.
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You can freely curse in public.
You almost fell while walking on the street: "C*rajo." You forgot your wallet at home and didn't realize until you were already halfway to work in the bus: "M*erda." No big deal!
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There's a whole new world of music that's open to you.
You knew 'em before their English crossover and can seriously impress even their biggest fan by reciting every lyric to their first songs by heart.
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Your brain is just always working . . . and you might even be smarter.
We didn't say it; scientists think so, too. Not to mention double the job opportunities, double the money.