Is there shame in monolingualism or even “monoculturalism” - one that cannot be overcome even by a genuine interest and effort in learning a second language?

Sometimes, I just cannot help but wonder if “born and raise in a bilingual or multilingual household” or “fortunate enough to be educated in an immersive program or moved to a country during one’s ‘critical’ developmental period” have become status symbols that some wave around to shame those who did not have the same privilege growing up. Or even in adulthood, where some somehow get the chance to learn a language “authentically” in the country - the “way that it’s ‘supposed’ to be learned”.

I’m not talking about those who were born and raised speaking only one language, refusing to learn another or find the necessity to, or boldly claim - often while travelling abroad - that “English is all you need”. Rather, I’m speaking of those - like me - who respect and even admire those who can “straddle” two cultures effortlessly and would love to even get a glimpse of what it’s like to see the world accordingly. I couldn’t care less about language debates, identity politics, or status signaling - I just want to work as hard as I can to reach fluency to the best of my ability, with the resources and opportunities at my disposal.

But some just choose to “gate-keep” even the idea of bilingualism as reserved for those who “grew up” fortunate enough to be bilinguals. Especially here in Canada, where sometimes, even outside Quebec, fully fluent and proficient bilinguals are treated as morally superior to “non-bilinguals”. Forget about communication or deeper cultural engagement: just being able to say that you’re “fully bilingual” - however you want to define it - is akin to asserting a kind of “superiority”, no matter how your second language was acquired. Which is a shame, since there are SO many convincing and exciting to reasons to learn French - independent of its usefulness.

Had I not felt so intrinsically driven to learn French and reach C1 as an adult, the whole intersection with identity politics and the social pressure it creates to avoid the “shame” of the monolingual label would have discouraged me so much.

Now that I’m learning Russian as a “third” language, it’s an immense relief NOT to have to worry about “proving” my cultural credentials by not having to work towards a “bilingual minimum”. And I don’t even have to worry so much if learning the intricacies of Russian grammar will take longer than usual - there’s no pressure at all. It feels like I’m rediscovering the childlike joy of learning by going at my own pace and not having to worry about the whole “most of the world is at least bilingual” narrative that I’ve felt for so long - especially in online language learning forums.

submitted by /u/lapostol93
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