Which language are you learning?

Language learning isn’t one-size-fits-all and neither are our emails. Every tip, story, and resource we share is chosen with you in mind, to meet you where you are on your journey.

We send these emails because we want to be more than just a voice in your inbox — we want to be your learning partner. Whether you’re taking your very first steps or polishing advanced skills, our goal is to give you exactly what you need to make progress, stay motivated, and feel connected to the languages (and cultures) you love.

We believe language learning should feel inspiring, practical, and connected to the real world. Our emails bring you stories, tips, and resources that make languages more achievable. If you use practically every article, every section, you will be closer to learning the language.

Each message is crafted to give you something you can use right away, whether it’s a bite-sized learning hack, a cultural insight, or motivation to keep going on your journey. No fluff, no spam: just meaningful content to help you learn, explore, and connect.

So, from this, we’d like to make our emails more personalised to you. To do this, please take two seconds of your time to answer this question:

Read out loud — even if no one’s listening.

When you read in your target language, don’t just process the words in your head — speak them. Reading aloud helps reinforce pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation, while also boosting memory retention.

Bonus: It makes you more confident speaking in real conversations because you’ve already “heard” yourself say the words before.

Word: Fernweh (German)

Meaning: A deep, almost painful longing for faraway places you’ve never visited.
It perfectly captures that feeling of wanderlust mixed with curiosity and yearning. Many languages have similar “untranslatable” gems that reflect unique cultural perspectives.

Try this: Think of your own fernweh destination and learn 3–5 phrases in that country’s language—it’s a great way to tie emotional connection to your learning.

In English, “you” works for everyone. Friends, strangers, royalty, and pets alike. But in many languages, there are multiple forms of “you” depending on the relationship, level of respect, age, or social status of the person you’re speaking to.

For example, Japanese distinguishes between casual (kimi), polite (anata), and highly respectful forms (kimi-sama).

While Spanish uses tú for informal situations and usted for formal ones. Some languages go even further, with separate words for speaking to one person, a small group, or a large crowd.

Tool Recommendation: HelloTalk

HelloTalk connects you with native speakers around the world for free text, voice, and video exchanges. You can chat naturally while using built-in translation, pronunciation, and correction tools to help you understand and improve in real time.

It’s like having a language exchange partner in your pocket — anytime, anywhere.

Bonus tip: Set a small daily goal, like sending three messages or recording one short voice note to a partner. Consistency, even in tiny bursts, compounds into big progress over time.

Some languages don’t have words for left and right.

In a few Indigenous languages, like Guugu Yimithirr in Australia, directions aren’t based on the speaker’s body (left/right) but on absolute geography — north, south, east, and west.

That means a speaker might say, “The cup is north of the plate” instead of “The cup is to the left of the plate.”

This constant awareness of orientation means speakers are often incredibly good at navigation, even in unfamiliar places. It’s a reminder that language doesn’t just describe the world — it shapes how we think and move through it.

In Japan, a bow can carry more meaning than words. The depth, duration, and context of the bow communicate respect, gratitude, or apology. In contrast, in many Latin American countries, a warm hug or a kiss on the cheek is the norm — even when meeting someone for the first time.

These greeting customs aren’t just social habits; they’re deeply tied to the language itself. Learning the right words is important, but pairing them with the right cultural gesture helps you truly connect.

Some Languages Have No Past or Future Tense

Languages like Chinese and Indonesian don’t change verb forms to indicate time. Instead, they rely on context or additional words to show whether something happened in the past, is happening now, or will happen in the future.

This can influence how speakers think about time — some studies suggest that speakers of “tenseless” languages may see time as more fluid and focus more on the present.

What’s your favourite example of how language reflects culture? Share your thoughts with our community on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.