Lost in Translation? Found in Connection

Federico Fellini once said, “A different language is a different vision of life,” and I’ve never heard a more accurate description of what it feels like to learn one. When you start speaking another language, you’re swapping words, ie, you’re entering someone else’s worldview. You notice how different cultures approach love, time, humor, even silence. It’s not about fluency, it’s about shifting perspective.

That shift matters everywhere, from your friendships to your work. In business, it’s not enough to translate. Real connection comes from localization: understanding the tone, timing, and cultural cues that make your message land. Speaking someone’s language, even if imperfectly, builds trust. It shows you’re trying, and that effort often opens doors that polish alone never could.

Personally, some of the richest moments in my life have started with broken phrases, awkward pauses, and the shared joy of trying to understand each other. Those exchanges have made me more empathetic, curious, and patient. Language is one of the most underrated tools for growth (in the grand scheme of things) as a human being. It teaches you to listen better. We see more, we expand.