04.09.24

MY MULTILINGUALISM: THE ESSENCE OF MY PHYSICAL AND MENTAL VITALITY

By Branka Bezić Filipović

Image above: US Congress Certificate

My name is Branka Bezić Filipović, and I would like to write about the importance of foreign languages in my life. I was born in Split, Croatia in 1955 and Croatian is my first language. As a high school student, I developed an interest in the English language. My parents learned French, while English was becoming the dominant global language during my teenage years. Music played a key role in my English learning. I became interested in the lyrics of English and American rock bands, and magazines like Melody Maker and New Musical Express, which I bought regularly, provided additional practice. Thus, I realized that newspaper articles and simple texts are excellent for acquiring a foreign language. My mother enrolled me in the Pen Friend Club in London for 1 pound, which allowed me to correspond with members from various countries. Some of them I visited personally, and some visited me; with others, I remained in contact as best friends. By the end of High school, I graduated as the student with the best knowledge of English in my school, thinking that mastering a global language like English was sufficient for life.My professional career has been closely tied to Croatian emigrants, primarily from Dalmatia, living in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa—all English-speaking areas. Before I was appointed as the Head of the Split branch office of the Croatian Heritage Foundation, no one had worked with emigrants in South America due to the lack of knowledge of the Spanish language, despite the existence of large emigrant communities. Thirty years ago, it was impossible to find someone in South America who spoke English, and the Croatian language had already been lost among the third and fourth generations born outside of Croatia.

I recognized the need to learn Spanish. Vocabulary was not an issue for me, as Italian expressions are often used in Split, and learning Latin in High school was helpful. I can say that this was one of the best decisions of my life because it brought me numerous benefits. Even in the modest beginnings, I established communication with many Croatian communities in Chile and Argentina, which later expanded to almost all of South America. I began visiting these areas, studying the history of emigration, writing books on the subject, and practicing the language in the field. It is still challenging because each country has its peculiarities in Spanish pronunciation. I achieved personal records and received numerous recognitions for my work. My personal record is the opportunity to present my book ‘Jose Miličić, the Last Chief of the Yagan Tribe’ in Ushuaia, in southern Tierra del Fuego, making me the southernmost presented Croatian author in the world. I received recognitions for my work in many places, among my favorites being the Special Recognition from the U.S. Congress for working with Croatians in the Los Angeles area, the Platinum Medal from the Croatian Community Podcast Bar Croata from Rosario, Argentina, for promoting Croatian cultural identity worldwide, the Recognition from the Municipality of Chovet in Santa Fe Province, Argentina, for working with Croatians, and recognitions from Croatian communities in Punta Arenas and Antofagasta in Chile, as well as the Croatian community in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia.

Image above: Meeting with the Croatian community in Guayaquil, Ecuador

In 2020, it was time for retirement, a term that cannot be associated with me. Only then did I become particularly sought after. The Aspira University from Split engaged me as an associate for international cooperation, truthfully related to the whole world, but with a focus on South America. I also collaborate with an office in Argentina that requires various services in Croatia. Both of these activities improve my financial situation, allowing me to engage in activities I love without financial worries.Freed from material concerns, I have launched various projects, continued writing books, and helping others. All of this keeps me vital, both physically and mentally.

Image above: Meeting with the Croatian community in Chaco, Argentina

I hope that my life experience of learning and using foreign languages, both professionally and privately, will serve the readers of the Healthy Linguistic Diet portal as an individual example of a person enjoying the multi-layered benefits of a ‘healthy linguistic diet.’

About the author

Branka Bezić Filipović (1955) was born in Split, and after High school, she graduated with a degree in tourism. Until her retirement in 2020, she was the Head of the Split branch office of the Croatian Heritage Foundation. She is involved in topics related to Croatian emigration, organizing and leading a series of successful activities and projects connected to emigration. She is the author of numerous exhibitions and displays both in Croatia and abroad, also focusing on emigration themes. She regularly publishes the results of her research. Since 2004, she has published seventeen (17) titles, fourteen (14) of which are on Croatian emigration:

Encounter of Worlds: Croatia – Australia (2004), Encounter of Worlds: Croatia – New Zealand (2006), Hajduk and Emigrants (2007), Sport in the Lives of Emigrants (2009), Ivan Lupis Vukić (2011), Hajduk Veterans (2012), One for All, All for One (2013), Following the Footsteps of Croatians in the World (2016), Chilean Writers of Croatian Descent (2018), 135 Years of the Split Volunteer Fire Department (2018), Croatian Fishermen and Shipbuilders in the New World (2019), Her Story – Women in Emigration (2020), Jose Miličić, the Last Chief of the Yagan Tribe (2020), Croatian Mariners in Overseas Lands (2021), From First Residence to Eternal Resting Place (2022), Little Vranjic of the Big World (2022), Croatians United by the Tie (2023).

For her dedicated work, she has received numerous awards and recognitions. In her retirement, she remains active, with three new books ready for publication, a testament to her academic and professional "restlessness," which drives her to new research and discoveries that she brings to the Croatian audience.
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