Speaking the Language of Love

A consequence of today's increasingly globalised society is that individuals are able to travel, study and be in contact with a vast number of people all around the world.

As a result, there is a similarly increasing demographic of language learners in their 20s and 30s who are learning languages for love - however it's not a love of verb conjugation, grammatical cases or that certain pronunciation that can only be acquired through complete immersion. With students encouraged to study abroad, travel in their gap year between high school and university, and the possibility of finding international posts through multinational companies, there are more and more young people leaving the familiarity of their home countries - and more often than not, they meet that someone special along the way.

It cannot be denied - I am the epitome of this demographic, with an unexpected detour to Paris (it's stretched on for over three years now...) after studying in Russia and falling in love with a fellow student from France. A quick and informal survey of my classmates at my French language school in Paris revealed that 60% of the students in the class were long-term residents in the French capital (or intended to be long-term residents) thanks to a fortuitous encounter with a French man or woman, either in their home country or abroad. The remaining 40% were undertaking a study abroad semester, but with their eyes on returning at the soonest feasible moment. A similar curiosity prompted this question at my international workplace, and the results were even more convincing: all of my non-French colleagues, without exception, had been brought to the country by the lure of love and were either still in the same relationship, or a subsequent one that saw them remain in Paris. Most were still attending French courses in France in their free time.

Could this be a new trend to be factored in at language schools all around the globe? Syntax for sweethearts, swains and significant others? A lexicon for lovers and lady friends? Phonetics for fiancés and flames? It certainly makes an interesting consideration. At the moment, language schools not only serve as a base where recently arrived long-term residents can learn the native language. They also serve as a base to meet others in exactly the same boat, so to speak.

Many expats find that it helps a great deal to have, in their circle of friends, others who are also undergoing the same transition process and adopting to life in the new country. This is down to linguistic factors, without a doubt, but also cultural and bureaucratic considerations.