MEET THEODORE
Theodore Jones, a 21-year-old student at the University of California, San Diego, is poised to graduate this month. He developed a deep appreciation for the power of communication from an early age thanks to growing up in a multicultural household in Los Angeles, California. With English, Mandarin, and Indonesian spoken in his household, Theodore’s exposure to different languages ignited his passion for linguistics, learning new languages and now to pursue a degree in speech therapy.
During his college years, Theodore pursued this passion by taking Korean courses at his university while pursuing a double major in Linguistics and Cognitive Science. Building on his undergraduate success, Theodore will embark on his next adventure at Columbia University in New York, where he will pursue a master’s degree in communicative disorders, further solidifying his commitment to helping others effectively communicate and overcome speech and language challenges through speech pathology. Beyond his academic pursuits, Theodore finds joy in culinary arts, with a knack for cooking, baking, and experimenting with new recipes.
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INTERVIEW
Q: What was unique about your experience with language growing up?
A: I grew up in a trilingual household where Mandarin, Indonesian, and English were used regularly between my family members. My mom and grandparents shared Indonesian, while my grandparents used mandarin, and my parents used English. So, depending on who I was talking to and who else was around, I’d be exposed to a specific language.
Q: What do you feel were the benefits of your experience with multiple languages?
A: Growing up surrounded by different languages was an incredible experience that opened my eyes to the fascinating diversity of human communication. It made me realize that languages aren’t all the same; each one has its own unique structure and intricacies. This realization expanded my worldview and deepened my appreciation for the richness of languages and culture.
Q: Did your exposure to multiple languages present any challenges growing up?
A: Personally, I felt that my exposure to multiple languages only posed a problem in the case that everyone in my family had different language backgrounds. Since a young brain is quick to pick up new languages, I was able to communicate pretty easily with my family growing up. The main issues arose when there were some translation issues between members, which mostly affected my dad who is monolingual. It’s kind of a funny story to tell, but my dad would also tap my shoulder and ask “Hey are they talking about me?” whenever my mom and grandparents were bickering at each other.
Q: What inspirational advice can you share with others who had multiple languages growing up in
their home?
A: Growing up with multiple languages in your home is a unique and enriching experience. I would tell other multilinguals to always embrace your linguistic diversity and use that to also continue expanding your linguistic repertoire. Embrace the fact that you have the privilege of being exposed to multiple languages and cultures. Recognize the value of this linguistic wealth and the unique perspective it gives you. What is most important is to use your language skills as a bridge. Your ability to speak multiple languages gives you a unique advantage in bridging cultural gaps and fostering an understanding between different communities. In whatever way possible, utilize your language skills to promote cross-cultural communication, foster inclusivity, and build bridges of empathy and understanding. This can be on an individual or grand scale, despite that there is impact to be made!
Q: What inspired you to pursue a degree/ career in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP)?
A: I became inspired to become an SLP when I first learned about it. It felt like the perfect blend of both of my undergraduate majors: cognitive science and linguistics. The career also felt like it would be a fulfilling path to pursue as it would be an opportunity to apply my knowledge to help people who have cognitive and communicative disorders.
Q: What type of populations are you inspired to do speech therapy with at the present moment?
A: At the present moment, I am particularly inspired to work with adult populations in the field of speech therapy. There are several specific groups within the adult population that I find intriguing and would be excited to provide therapeutic services for. One group that captures my interest is adults with neurological conditions such as stroke or traumatic brain injury. These individuals often face challenges in communication, including difficulties with speech production, language comprehension, and cognitive-linguistic skills. I think it would be incredibly rewarding to work with them, helping them regain their communication abilities and improve their overall quality of life.
Q: What are you most looking forward to in speech-language pathology?
A: I am really excited to get into clinical practice in my graduate program. So far I feel like all I have been doing is learning the material without any serious application. I imagine that it would be a fun challenge to finally apply what I have learned to real world situations.
Q: Anything else you would like to share?
A: Language is a powerful tool that shapes our understanding of the world and enables us to connect with others on a deep level. As speech-language pathologists, we have the incredible opportunity to help individuals overcome communication barriers and unlock their full potential. I encourage and would love for all aspiring speech-language pathologists to approach their work with empathy, patience, and a genuine desire to make a positive impact on people’s lives. Each client we work with has a unique story, and it is essential to listen to their needs, respect their cultural backgrounds, and tailor our interventions accordingly.
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Written By:
-BIANCA CASTUERAS, UCSD Senior Research and Marketing Intern
-NICOLE BUTLER, M.A., CCC-SLP/L (ASHA Certified and licensed Speech-Language Pathologist, Founder and Executive Director of Speech Within Reach.)
SPEECH WITHIN REACH provides in person and virtual telehealth speech therapy for children and adults. We are happy to support your speech therapy needs. Please feel free to reach out to us.