Robert Kiyosaki, the author of ‘Rich Dad, Poor Dad,’ further highlights how taxes make the poor and middle class poorer, while on the other hand, the very same tax laws make the rich richer. He further explains that intelligence is found at the edge of the coin. One would be better positioned by standing on the edge of the coin, appreciating both points of view, and deciding which side is best for oneself.

The metaphor of sitting on the edge of a coin suggests a critical examination of the problem. However, I suggest a different approach that could also contrast with our perspective: understanding the problem through the lens of a different language.

Learning a new language

I consider myself fortunate to be proficient in both English and Chinese, the two most widely spoken languages. This proficiency opens doors to a world of ideas from both the East and the West, offering access to different perspective, philosophies, and cultural insights. It’s akin to standing on the edge of a coin, where I am presented with diverse view points, giving me a vantage point to make informed decisions for positive outcomes.

Thus, I perceive a missed opportunity when children are not encouraged to learn Chinese or any other new languages. Encouraging them to embrace a new language is akin to encouraging them to view the world through a different lens. Restricting their perspective to just one direction, particularly in a globalised world, is like navigating with a narrowed vision.

Rewiring the perspective

We may assume that our vision of the world is broadened by the vast expanse of knowledge made accessible through technology. However, this may not be the case. We may have an abundance of knowledge, but what we truly lack is wisdom.

Imagine a situation where everyone accesses commonly shared or popular sources of information, akin to reading the same book. This leads to a similarity of thought that hinder the growth of original thoughts, as highlighted by Japanese writer Haruki Murakami.

What we could do is view the same problem through the lens of a different language, which could help us rewire our perspective to foster unique insights and curiosity.

With that, I would suggest that in the list of 21st-century skills, we should embrace learning a new language, which could help us bridge cognitive gaps and reconnect with our surroundings in novel ways.

Lera Boroditsky, a cognitive scientist, who shared how language shapes our thinking in a TED Talk, leave some intriguing thoughts at the end. She addressed that it’s not about how speakers of different languages think differently, but rather offers the opportunity to ask oneself: ‘Why do I think the way that I do?’, ‘How could I think differently?’, and ‘What thoughts do I wish to create?’

So, what do you think? 

References and notes

• “One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way.”- Frank Smith