Discovering New Worlds Through Language: Anastasia's Journey at ANU
At 33, Anastasia's life reads like a fascinating novel, rich with cultural experiences and linguistic adventures. Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Languages at the Australian National University (ANU), she reflects on a journey that began in her teens and has taken her across continents and into diverse fields of study.
A Year in Germany: The Spark of a Lifelong Passion
Anastasia's love for languages was ignited at the age of 16 when she lived with her mother’s family in Germany for a year. During this time, she became fluent in German and discovered a passion for singing and classical music, which led her to pursue opera singing. She moved to Brisbane to study at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, completing a Bachelor of Music in Classical Voice (Advanced Performance).
From Opera to Asia: A New Chapter
During her years of studying opera, Anastasia travelled many times to Southeast Asia, and her musician's ear and love of languages sparked her interest in Asian languages.
She went on to train to become an opera singer and after singing in competitions, concerts and operas around Australia, she moved to Europe to work as a Young Artist in the opera young artist program at the theatre in Basel, Switzerland. One thing Anastasia always really loved about studying opera was studying German, Italian, French and Russian and singing in those languages.
After performing across Australia and Europe, Anastasia found herself at a crossroads. Despite securing a prestigious position at the Deutsche Oper in Berlin, she ultimately chose to return to Australia, prioritising her mental health and happiness over the world of opera.
“What I didn't love so much was the toxic environment and high stress of (most of) the opera world, as well as the rigid gender norms. Although I received a position as a soloist at the Deutsche Oper in Berlin, I chose to return to Australia for the sake of my own happiness and mental health.”
This decision marked a significant shift in her life, as she began to explore her growing interest in Asian languages and cultures.
Embracing Southeast Asia: A New Academic Pursuit
Upon returning to Australia, Anastasia's curiosity about Asian cultures blossomed further as she cultivated a subtropical garden in Maryborough, Queensland, and delved into Asian cuisine. This newfound passion drove her to enrol in the Bachelor of Languages program at ANU, where she majors in Thai and minors in Burmese and Vietnamese.
"Studying a Bachelor of Languages majoring in Thai and minoring in Burmese and Vietnamese is pretty much my dream life. I feel so happy and grateful to have this opportunity and I enjoy it so much," she says, expressing her enthusiasm for the unique language offerings at ANU.
The Joys and Challenges of Multilingualism
Anastasia finds immense joy in learning languages, describing it as a process that stretches her mental capacity and keeps her curious about different cultures. She notes that learning multiple languages has made it easier for her to grasp new ones, thanks to the similarities and connections between them. For instance, her knowledge of Thai grammar has helped her learn Vietnamese more efficiently.
She shares delightful anecdotes about her favourite words and phrases in each language. In Thai, "แมวน้ำ" (maeo-nam) means "seal" but literally translates to "water cat," and "ตื่นเต้น" (tuentên) means "excited," combining the verbs "to wake up" and "to dance." Such linguistic quirks not only amuse her but also deepen her appreciation for the languages she studies.
As for Vietnamese, , Anastasia likens it to singing, which resonates with her musical background. The tones and pronunciation provide a unique, melodious experience and certain words make the language very practical. Anastasia explains, “Vietnamese has some really practical words like "quần áo", which means clothing and is made up of the words for trousers and shirt!”
In Burmese, she is fascinated by words like "ငှက်ပျောသီး" (nga-pyaw-dhi), which literally translates to "a fruit that birds enjoy," echoing her personal experiences with banana plants in her garden.
A Cultural Tapestry
Beyond the mechanics of language learning, Anastasia is deeply fascinated by the cultural traditions associated with the languages she studies. As a vegan, she is really interested in traditions relating to eating vegetarian/vegan diets.
The Chinese Thai community in Thailand has an annual vegetarian Festival, which Anastasia hopes to experience firsthand one day. Another fascinating tradition for Anastasia is something she learned about Myanmar—a tradition of many Buddhists eating vegetarian food once a week on the day they were born.
A Journey to Thailand: Experiencing Language Firsthand
Anastasia's journey took a profound turn when she recently travelled to Thailand. Immersing herself in the local culture and language, she found that her classroom knowledge came to life in vibrant and unexpected ways. This experience reinforced her belief in the importance of cultural immersion in language learning.
“After studying Thai for three months, I was able to travel to Thailand and have basic conversations with the old ladies in the vegetarian "jay" restaurants that I love to go to. Even just to say simple things and be understood was so great. I also love that every time I go back to Thailand, I can have more and more complex conversations with the people I meet. It sometimes can feel overwhelming to not understand things people say, but the constant practice does pay off and it's so satisfying when communication gradually gets easier and easier.”
The Untranslatable Essence of Multilingualism
When asked about the most surprising thing she has learned about communication through her language studies, Anastasia reflects, “It has certainly solidified my belief that there are many things that just cannot be fully translated between languages, and that's one of the amazing things about learning languages. Once you start to get to the level where you can use and understand words that just can't be exactly translated, it not only gives a fresh way to think about the world, but also a deeper understanding of the culture and people who speak that language.”
Anastasia’s journey at ANU is a testament to the enriching experience of learning languages and immersing oneself in different cultures. Her story not only highlights the exceptional language programs at ANU but also serves as an inspiring narrative for anyone passionate about languages and cultural exploration.
Anastasia's journey illustrates how language learning can open doors to new worlds, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures. At the ANU School of Culture, History & Language within the College of Asia and the Pacific, students have the unique opportunity to study a wide array of Asian languages, supported by a community that celebrates linguistic and cultural diversity.
If you're inspired by Anastasia's story, consider exploring our many diverse language programs and kickstart your own culturally rich adventure!