Language Barrier

Assalamu'alaikum.

Sometimes I'm facing difficulties to make friends with the International students here.I mean the new students.Most of the new students couldn't speak english very well and even cannot at all.

I like to make friends with them.Observing and learning their language,culture etc.Actually,we can see the Great of Allah The Almighty's Power where HE created us with different tribes with thousands of languages and slang.

It is actually a value added for someone who is mastering in languages.I heard before that someone told me that it is a kind of wasting time learning language as it would not help you in finding your job.Learning language is not really a critical field compared to Medicine,engineering etc.
Personally,those who can speaks more than 3 languages creates a 'wow' effect on me.Salute!

I want to figure out why I'm not really like the rest of my Malay's friends.It put a big question mark on my head.Even,my foreign's friends asking the same question.
"Why you are not like the rest of the Malays?"
"What did you mean?"

I just realized that I can easily mix up with them.When ever I went to the cafeteria,I will take my seat around my foreign friends rather than seating with Malays.Alhamdulillah,it is a gift I guessed?

One of my Arab friend once said,I'm not a pure Malay.The truth is,he's right.I'm not pure Malay.I have the Arab blood.My mom's ancestors were coming from Yamen and Persia.I think that is why I'm really attached to my tribes..hehehe

Unfortunately,It's an embarrassment that I cannot speak Arabic very well.What kind of 'Arab' if he cannot speak Arabic?I admit that I did scored in my SPM (A2)for my Arabic,but you know how the system was right?It's an exam oriented.Learning nahu,balaghah etc.just to tackle the questions.It really works for the exam but failed to make me survive.

I think,it is crucial for a Dai'e to learn other languages.(it is just my view).I've met one guy (he is a good friend of mine)who can speaks five languages i.e. Malay,English,Arabic,Mandarin,Turkish and he is planning to add few more.He is using his specialities to make friends with all people and at the same time conveying the words of Allah.

Yesterday I was asked by an Indonesian uncle at the cafe to translate for him.I used to buy foods from that uncle,thus he is kind of aware of my present and 'kindness'(perasan).He asked me to speak English with one of his customer as that uncle cannot help himself to do so.Unfortunately,the customer couldn't speak English.He speaks Thai and Arabic.I was afraid that the guy fainted if I speak Arabic with him.It will be a big disaster if I'm speaking Arabic.

Alhamdulillah,one of his friend came over and he can speaks Malay a little bit.I just feel like I'm a failure.Couldn't help people in need.hmm....How if I was at that guy's place.Being in a foreign country.Having a language barrier.Phew,it must be really a big problem especially when you need someone to show you where is the rest room.(or else you will 'do your job' in your trousers)

I've came across many situations where I was having my conversation more or less like a chicken is talking to a duck.More signals than words.Why?Because of Language barrier.Then people will ask me,"Then,why you get near to him if you have language problems?"Don't make any contact with the foreigners if you think you have the problem with your language...

Why I'm still keep on making friend with them?Because I'm an Arab.hehe (kidding.but it is true,but I'm still a malay).- Bukankah motto HALUAN,Berakhalq,mendidik dan BERBAKTI?;So I would not discriminate people whom I wanted to BERBAKTI just because of my own bad i.e language barrier.Even Islam,teaches us to be a good Muslims,and help each others.

Wallahu'alam.

*Got to go.Ada tutorial Advanced Post Contract Admin for QS..I'll be telling other stories insha Allah.Please pray for me.