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Scott
Ashton Scott
Instructor Hankerson
Course 007
2 September 2015
Two Worlds Collide

Approximately 38.3 million people in the United States speak Spanish fluently. I am one
of those 38.3 million individuals who make up that population. Being an individual in that
population did not come effortless. Years of studying, practice, and dedication was involved in
this process. From the beginning, for any individual Spanish is a very complex language,
however being raised in a Spanish speaking household the ability to perform and communicate
adequately was critical. The Spanish culture as a whole fascinated me, so the journey to learn the
language in order to communicate with my family and to grasp the concepts, assisted my desire
to learn more about this captivating dialect. The ability to learn another language effectively is
very difficult, but my motivation to not only communicate with my family, but to communicate
this spoken language worldwide to others was imperative to me during adolescence.

Several things motivated me to continue my journey of learning to speak Spanish. Not

only to communicate effectively with my family and friends, but to broaden my mind. It allowed
me to challenge myself and to communicate in a new way with people, which created
opportunities with me in a different society. Likewise, I wanted to engross myself in the Spanish
culture because it has shaped me into the person I am today. Developing an appreciation for my
culture and the people who make up the Hispanic culture was very imperative for me. According
to Austrian philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein, the limits of my language are the limits of my

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universe. I believe learning another language opens doors and can transform you, but also
expands you into a universal person whom can relate to millions of Spanish speaking
individuals. Furthermore, being able to communicate with my family at gatherings is very
special to me, although it takes dedication and can be frustrating, I was determined. Personally, I
am the type of person who is personable and caring, so with my future Nursing degree I aspire to
volunteer in the poor parts of El Salvador, and aid those who are ill. My need to understand and
appreciate this culture and the individuals in it soon became a reality that intrigued me to want to
learn. Of course, learning another language would bring its difficulties; I was not going to
dismiss it. However, with the goals I like to achieve in my future, nothing was impossible. Any
opportunity that is available for me to fully understand the culture, I was going to take full
participation because I strive for the success in each goal I had set for myself. In doing so, I
completely focused on learning everything regarding the Spanish language, individuals, customs,
and culture in order for me to fully communicate with family and friends.

At the age of six, discovering the complex language of Spanish, while beginning to
develop certain mechanisms became quite difficult to balance due to the immense language
barrier. However, through elementary school till high school, I attended private Catholic schools
where I was provided with the upmost education to continue my journey to learning how to
speak Spanish fluently and effectively. Balancing speaking Spanish at home and then
communicating to my peers in English was challenging, but not inconceivable. First, my familys
first language, is Spanish, so at home, Spanish was strictly spoken. My family made it imperative
for us growing to communicate in Spanish to each other. Spanish telenovelas, books, music,
food, and church were all part of my growth. However, at school, English was spoken strictly

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which could be intimidating and dismaying, but the support of my teachers and peers it wasnt
impossible. I was given the opportunity to help others who were in need of learning Spanish,
which gave me practice.

Learning how to speak Spanish efficiently and successfully was challenging, but reading
Spanish books, taking several years of Spanish, and listening to my family speak to each other
aided me immensely through the process. Taking advantage of my professors and their
knowledge helped me gain more confidence with the language. Also, watching the Spanish news
and then repeating back what was said to my mother also contributed. The most difficult part of
reading certain words in Spanish was accurately pronouncing the words, however that did not
stop me. I continued to practice pronouncing the words with my Mother or Grandmother. On
Saturdays, my grandmother would attend a Spanish speaking church, where she would bring me,
so I could learn better. At church, I would read the Bible in Spanish in front of the church
members. Even though I was terrified to speak in front of a Spanish speaking church, I was
motivated to undertake this obstacle. This not only, abetted in my journey of learning to speak it
properly, but each Saturday I gained more confidence. These obstacles did not dismay me, I
continued everyday to read books, communicating with family members, and participating in
Spanish church events to improve my skills.

Learning to speak Spanish effectively soon became a reality after a lot of dedication and
support from others. While trying to balance learning both languages, English and Spanish was
strenuous, but it taught me perseverance and patience. Learning to speak this language has been
a process, but in that process I have learned a lot about my culture and myself. Even today, I still

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practice my Spanish with my parents and siblings, while taking a few Spanish class to improve.
This skill I inhibit will not only be full of enjoyment, but also bring several opportunities to me
that I am excited to embark. This development of learning to speak Spanish has contributed to
my narrative, concluding that nothing is truly impossible. My advice for individuals who believe
it is impossible to learn Spanish or another language, continue practicing, utilize every tool or
opportunity, because ultimately learning a new language contributes immensely to ones
character. Today, it is still astonishing how much improvement and how much growth I have
seen in myself, because of my decision to want to learn Spanish. Since my decision, Spanish has
been a big part of my life, not only the language, but the culture and everything it entails has
truly subsidized immensely with my development and the individual I am today.