Achieving Success in Writing and Journalism: A Second Native Language Perspective
Have you ever wondered if it's possible to become a renowned editor-in-chief, journalist, writer, or news presenter if you started learning a new language after the age of 25? The answer is undoubtedly a resounding yes, as numerous individuals have achieved remarkable success in these fields despite not having their second language as their mother tongue.
Examples of Success Stories
One notable example is Andrew Lang, a prolific author who began his career at the age of 45. Lang was born in 1844 and became famous for writing "The Blue Fairy Book" in 1889. While he had written before, it was after his 45th birthday that he gained widespread recognition and continued to produce excellent works. This case illustrates that even if one starts learning a new language or beginning a professional journey at a later age, success can still be achieved with persistent effort and dedication.
Language Learning and Career Success
A native language is defined as the language one has acquired from birth. However, a second language can be learned at any age, although it does become more challenging with increasing age to achieve a native-like accent. Nevertheless, it is neither impossible nor necessary for those in the aforementioned careers to have a perfect accent, as long as the target audience can understand and appreciate their work. Achieving near-native fluency is entirely possible with consistent effort and practice.
The primary focus should be on being easily understandable and pleasant to listen to. Many native speakers themselves do not have a perfect command of their mother tongue. Therefore, striving for the highest level of proficiency without striving towards a flawless accent is a reasonable and practical approach.
Personal Journey and Success
My personal journey with language learning has been enriching and has prepared me well for a career in writing and journalism. My native language is Dutch, and my second language is French. Before embarking on formal learning, I was already familiar with several languages. Latin and Greek were subjects I studied in school, but my interest in foreign languages also included exposure to English through TV and German through illustrated magazines, a passion I shared as a "print junkie." My parents' love for operettas further broadened my cultural and linguistic horizons, illustrating how various aspects of life can contribute to language acquisition.
My professional career has seen me working on proofreading texts in English, French, and sometimes Italian. I later based my career as a French teacher in Belgium and a proofreader in the USA. Eventually, I took on the role of Editor-in-Chief of a bilingual English/Dutch publication, a position I held for six years. This experience has shown that with the right skills and a passion for linguistic expertise, success in journalism and writing is definitely achievable.
Supporting the Community
Over the years, I have met numerous individuals who have followed similar paths. One inspiring friend, Weam Namou, who began learning Arabic as her mother tongue and English as her second language, has become an active participant in the English-language media and even published several books in the USA. Her story is an excellent example of how one's linguistic journey can lead to significant achievements in the field of writing and journalism.
In a similar vein, Indian-American author Jhumpa Lahiri is another remarkable individual who learned Italian in her thirties and wrote her latest book, "In Altre Parole" (In Other Words), in that language. This demonstrates that even if one starts learning a new language later in life, it is possible and worthwhile to explore new linguistic and literary horizons.
In conclusion, beginning to learn a new language after the age of 25 does not necessarily hinder one's success in careers such as writing and journalism. With the right mindset and a commitment to continuous improvement, individuals can achieve remarkable success in these fields, just as Andrew Lang, Weam Namou, and Jhumpa Lahiri have done.