For many students, learning a second language means memorizing vocabulary lists, grammar rules and conjugations, but for others, language is more than a school subject. Every language finds meaning, memory and identity woven into their words.
This relationship to language isn’t just true in the classroom but is reflected in a broader national identity. According to a report from the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of people who spoke a language other than English tripled in the United States between 1980 and 2019, unveiling the growing importance of language in America. Beyond the classroom, language not only helps people communicate but also gives them a sense of belonging.
Although she has lived in the United States for most of her life, junior Vittoria Testa speaks both Italian and English at home with her parents, who are German and Italian.
“When we moved to Dallas, I had to learn English at the age of three, because I’d never spoken it before,” Testa said. “At first it was really hard, but after learning a few languages, you start to notice patterns, and it becomes natural to pick them up.”
But Testa’s multilingual childhood wasn’t always easy. Her accent drew attention from classmates, but what once made her stand out became something she learned to take pride in.
“When I was younger, I had a stronger accent that some of my classmates bullied me for because they thought it was funny,” Testa said. “I used to feel embarrassed, but I realized being European and speaking these languages connects me to my family and culture. It’s a part of who I am.”
Now, she views her multilingualism as one of her greatest strengths that opens doors to the world in all different ways.
“Speaking multiple languages is a huge advantage,” Testa said. “Whenever I travel, I feel immediately connected to the people and the culture. In the future, I want to go into international studies or politics, and being able to communicate across languages helps build trust and understanding, which is essential in any setting.”
While Testa’s connection to languages began at home, sophomore Avery Park spent years deliberately building hers. Park speaks four languages: English, Chinese, Korean and Spanish. Although English is her first language, she learned Chinese from her mother, began Korean classes at age ten and now studies Spanish at Hockaday.
“Learning other languages wasn’t natural for me,” Park said. “I was born in the States, and I didn’t grow up surrounded by people who consistently spoke Chinese or Korean every day, so I had to create that environment for myself by taking language classes in my free time.”
Still, she persisted even though her knowledge of languages sometimes blurs together.
“In Spanish class, I sometimes answer in Korean without realizing it, because my brain gets the languages mixed up,” Park said. “It’s definitely a challenge to remember three whole different languages with three different grammar contexts and three different vocabularies.”
Park has applied her knowledge of multiple languages to situations that appear in her daily life, helping those who experience the language barrier she experienced herself. For Park, language represents a way to bridge gaps and bring comfort to others through mutual understanding.
“Once when I was in a grocery store, an elderly Korean woman was trying to ask one of the employees a question, and I could tell they were having a difficult time understanding each other,” Park said. “I introduced myself into the conversation and started talking to her in Korean, which allowed me to help her find what she needed.”
Park’s story reflects how language can serve as both a tool and an act of empathy. That same sentiment resonates with junior Masha Ivchenko, who was born in Sumy, Ukraine on the northern border with Russia. She grew up speaking Ukrainian and Russian before moving to the U.S. in August of 2022, when she learned English. Now, she’s adding Spanish to her repertoire through Hockaday language classes.
“I feel really connected to my heritage through the language,” Ivchenko said. “When I speak Russian with my family, I’m able to express my thoughts freely. Sometimes it’s harder to do that in English, especially at school.”
Having navigated the difficulties of learning a new language and adapting to an unfamiliar culture, Ivchenko has developed a strong sense of empathy for others facing similar challenges. For her, language serves as a way to stay true to herself even while immersed in a foreign country.
“When I meet people whose English isn’t perfect, I feel a connection with them because I know what it feels like to be in their shoes,” Ivchenko said. “Language is a huge part of my life that keeps reminding me of who I am and my connection to the people of other countries, even if they are so far away.”
