Every Connector Is Multilingual
We usually identify someone as multilingual if that person is able to use more than two languages for communication. Given this, at first sight, the identity of Multilingual Connector may not appear relatable to you as you have only learned one language apart from your mother tongue and therefore you would rather describe yourself as bilingual instead of multilingual based on conventional definition.
Let me illustrate my point first with the definition of the word ‘language’. In both Collins and Cambridge dictionary, it is defined as a system of communication comprising sounds and written symbols. More than likely, you will comprehend this as a reference to any single one or clusters amongst the over 7000 languages spoken across the world today. Yet bear in mind, speaking and/or writing the words and grammar in a structured and logical way is not the only means to convey meanings to other people. For certain populations with special needs, they use sign language with visual-manual modality to convey meaning, or Braille, a tactile reading and writing system. Such terms as body language and visual language should also not be foreign to you.
Notably, be it language as an umbrella term or collective terms like the aforementioned as other forms of language than what we write and speak day to day, language is commonly referred to as a system of communication, not ‘the’ system. Note the article in its definition is non-specific. This suggests the grammar, words and logic that constitute what most of us define as the dominant means of communication is at best one of the important subsets in the entire system of human-to-human communication. The languages we read, listen, speak and write are by no means the only system for communication. You may have experienced it personally or know somebody who has traveled or even lived overseas without speaking the local languages. With little access to a translator or dictionary, it is still possible to communicate with the locals via body gestures, facial expressions, hand sketches or any other creative means you resort to.
There are 3 general categories of communication, namely verbal (oral) communication, written communication and non-verbal communication. Non-verbal communication is the collective term for body language and facial language . In definition, it is the act of conveying information without the use of words that also compasses the use of voice, touch, social cues,objects, kinesics, distance and physical environments as well appearance.
The word ‘multilingual’ in Multilingual Connectors not only depicts language as semantic or relating to the meanings in words or logic. In reference to the MLC Framework, languages can also be emotional, psychological, cultural and situational. It is multidimensional and multisensory the energy exchange between the two individuals communicating. In this light, a good handle of the languages as non-verbal communication tools are indispensable ingredients in the cocktail of Multilingual Connectors who are clever, confident and capable of forging connections without over-relying on the languages they speak and write.
