How I Became A Literate In Bengali Essay

I have always dreamt of learning all the languages of the world. Language is my passion and to learn these, therefore, is my hobby. However, my first tryst with learning a new language came only about two years back. The language I took a fancy to was Bengali (an Indian language). While learning new languages was always my hobby, I never really got a chance or rather incentive to learn any. I simply did not make any effort into learning a new language except just dreaming about learning them all one day! My first chance to learn a new language came simply because my then boyfriend was an Indian, a Bengali. In a way, it was the language (Bengali) that chose me! I'll tell you how.
Two years back, I and my Bengali boyfriend were sitting in a cafe sipping coffee. While conversing, in a passing, he mentioned how difficult it was for him, at times, to express some of the most personal emotions to me in a language that was not his native. As if to make fun of the situation, he said, "wouldn't it be much better to simply have a Bengali girlfriend?" Though said in a jest, the very thought got hold of me. Since I was pretty serious about my boyfriend, the very thought brought a sense of insecurity in me. There and then I decided that Bengali was the language I wanted learn and master.
The very next day, I searched online for books that would help me learn Bengali. From one small Indian website, I was able to source a book that showed Bengali words translated into English. I immediately ordered the book. A week later, the book was in my hand. I started with the ABCs of the Bengali language. The beginning was little tough. More so, because I could not take help from my boyfriend since I had decided to suddenly surprise him with my knowledge of Bengali one day. Slowly but steadily, I started making progress. Since I was already spending almost 10 hours in college, giving time to learn Bengali was a struggle. But I persisted, managed and succeeded.
Two months after the incident, I had learned enough Bengali to surprise my Bengali boyfriend. So I decided to leave in a voice message for him that was completely in Bengali. With a little help from online Bengali dictionary and a little usage of my knowledge, I left a voice message for him. Almost immediately, as if on cue, my boyfriend called me up and (very surprised) he asked me where I learnt all that. I then told him how I had been learning Bengali past two months just so that the communication gap between us would be bridged. His surprise knew no bounds. Not just that me learning Bengali made it easier for us to communicate with each other, it also brought to his attention how much he meant to me.
My learning Bengali language brought me and my boyfriend closer. I know that even if our relationship does not stay strong, I have a knowledge that I will be carrying forward with me in the world. I also know that learning Bengali was simply a passage for me into learning many more languages. All I need is a little inspiration. Learning one language had been so much gratifying and fun. I knew I was adding something positive onto my personality. It is only now, when I am able to read a Bengali passage from a Bengali tabloid that I feel proud of myself and know that I have what it takes to fulfil my dream -- learn all the languages in the world!