Language is all around us. When you read an article, write a shopping list, or talk to your cat, you’re trying to communicate an idea through language. Written language, in its most reduced form, is a group of symbols on a sheet that we give meaning to, and then we combine the symbols to form sentences and paragraphs. Written language seems so simple when it’s broken down, but the ideas that it is capable of communicating can astonish us. Spoken language is much the same, except we attribute noises to the symbols. There are approximately 6,500 languages spoken in the world today, and each one has a different method of interpreting the world. Language is beautiful, a basic function of our everyday lives, and an integral part of being human. Majoring in linguistics would be a fantastic journey through the inner workings of language.
I was first introduced to foreign languages and cultures by my dad, who taught me the Slovak word Dakujem, which means “thank you.” Ever since then, I was obsessed with not only the Slovak language, but with my entire heritage. I was proud to learn that I was Slovak, Russian, Ukrainian, and Italian. I used online resources (similar to this obituary search – https://www.genealogybank.com/explore/obituaries/all/usa/minnesota/minneapolis/star-tribune – for example) to learn more about my heritage and my family roots. To explore my heritage further, I’ve learned some Russian and Slovak on my own. Over time, my love for languages and culture has intensified. I now have a cursory understanding of Arabic, Korean, Greek, and Latin, and have completed two years of Spanish courses in high school. Language has become a passion.
To challenge myself, I have created two languages of my own, which enabled me to understand language more in-depth. One of them is Sinawis, which was made to have the feel and sound of Latin and Greek with some elements of the Slavic languages. The other is called Mepkum, which means life, and it was created to be similar to an indigenous language. By studying linguistics and languages, I could teach English, or any language, abroad, work for the government, become a translator, work in the field of anthropology, or even work in the entertainment industry and create fantasy languages. As long as I’m working with language, my goal will be fulfilled.
With big dreams comes a lot of hard work, which my dad is no stranger to. He has worked manual labor jobs his entire life, and, at the age of 61, continues to. Enjoying the small pleasures in life and having a dedicated work ethic are the biggest lessons that my dad has taught me. My mom has provided me with a solid foundation in who I am. She guided me to be a strong person, and my brother has challenged me along my path. Because of my upbringing, I know that once I am set up in an institution of higher learning that I will not let any opportunity pass me by. I will succeed.
Because my dad has worked manual labor jobs, and for the past seven years has been the sole source of income in our house, we are not strangers to hardship. Ever since I was able to understand what money is, I have been aware of my family’s financial burdens. I do know things could be much, much worse, but growing up in this situation and gaining my world perspective from my dad has made me aware of others in hardship, and it has given me such an appreciation for the things I have. I wish to use my education to not only better myself and my family, but I will help those around me. Being assisted by other people for the past few years has shown me that I must return the gift of security when I am able to, which is what that assistance has given my family and I. The help provided a sense of belonging and acceptance to the community. One day, I will provide that for others. Because of the financial quandaries that my family faces, they will not be able to help me with college. I must be able to earn enough scholarships based on my own merit.
I plan to attend the University of Central Arkansas, which is about two and a half hours from where I live and is the only university in the state that offers a degree in linguistics. This is another hurdle I face. Recently, our only half-decent vehicle’s engine blew while my mom was driving it, so we now have to drive older, unsafe vehicles that my parents can’t afford to fix. None of these vehicles can make the trip that I require for college; currently, they barely make it to the grocery store. This situation really hurts my dad because he wants to help. To pursue my degree and dreams, I need a safe vehicle in order to commute. Putting this scholarship money towards a vehicle would be the best plan.
I am prepared and excited to make the most of my opportunity in college because I’m a member of the University of Arkansas Upward Bound program, which has shown me, among other things, that college is tangible for anyone who works hard to attain it. The program helps low-income, first generation college-bound students to succeed. Recently, we had a guest speaker who talked about the importance of pursuing all opportunities that come your way. He encouraged me to make the most of my college experience, and helped me realize my potential because if he broke through his shyness to pursue opportunity and became the director of a student organization, why can’t I? College is a place of discovery and excitement, a place to learn and form life-long friendships. Yes, it will be intimidating at first, but because of my experiences in Upward Bound I know that I can be successful. I plan on being active at my college. I would love to be apart of the Model United Nations, cultural clubs, the Secular Student Alliance, so I can begin expanding my horizons to an extent beyond what I can anticipate.