Why I Study Languages

I speak English, Chinese, Russian, and Spanish fluently. I am now learning my fifth language: Italian.

Each language has changed how I approach research. Chinese taught me to structure problems by establishing context before turning to specifics. Russian demanded precise formulation, a discipline that carried into my technical writing. English connected me with the global research community. Spanish lets me participate directly in conversations and daily life across Latin America.

I began learning Spanish after meeting many great people on a trip to Central America. It allowed me to speak directly with researchers, engineers, and creators across Latin America and engage with their work without relying on translation. Removing that barrier was worth the effort.

I am studying Italian for the same reason: to encounter people, ideas, and culture directly rather than through translation.

Every language I have learned has broadened what I can read, who I can collaborate with, and how I frame ideas. Spanish has been no exception. I plan to document my progress with Italian here: the methods I use, what transfers between languages, and how multilingual thinking informs my work in representation learning.