Being multilingual can be an advantage. Where I come from there are over sixty languages. It is actually mind-boggling. I speak one very well and understand about three others, although I’m unable to speak two of those very well.
Most of them time, when I am speaking to locals, I can switch between two languages especially when I need to express myself clearly. I am able to choose the language that does that well for me. It could also be between English and the language.
This is mainly because in Akan, (the name for a cluster of languages in Ghana), you can use proverbs and sayings to color your communication. Sometimes even short stories and specific words reveal more meaning than you would achieve by just speaking normally.
What I wish I could do well is to read and write one of the languages. I try to read the main one but I’m not yet fluent at that. Recently I attended a Thanksgiving service, where the words of the hymns were projected in Twi (one of the Akan languages). I was lucky the tune to the hymns were familiar because it took me a bit of time to catch up. It was hilarious as I was playing catch up all the time.
I also speak intermediate level French. Ghana is surrounded by French speaking countries, so French is a very important language that is taught in most schools..
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