The Joy of Language Learning
Discussion
The hobby I spend most time on at the moment is language learning. I am not sure why I find it so satisfying. A few reasons I suspect.
Firstly it doesn’t require any special skill, just determination. I still recall a school report from my German teacher saying that I had no talent for languages. That hasn’t stopped me learning them after leaving school. As long as you put in the hours you will get better.
I find languages a gateway to different cultures. Without exception when I’ve learnt a language I’ve become much more curious about the country where the language is spoken, their culture and food. It makes visiting those countries so much more interesting and satisfying. I went to Japan on business and it was okay but then went back after having spent a year learning the language as it was a completely different experience.
I like reading literature and it is very different to read in the original language. However good the translation something is always missing. Most of the great writers are not great because of their stories but because of how they use language.
Partly I think it is because in today’s world language learning is so much easier than when I was young. There are so many resources and opportunities. There are free Apps like Duolingo to help as well as inexpensive paid for Apps, YouTube videos, online newspapers, Vlogs and podcasts, cheap online one to one language lessons and even language exchange partners.
I wouldn’t say that learning languages is essential unless you don’t speak English. But then playing tennis or running marathons are also not the useful.
Firstly it doesn’t require any special skill, just determination. I still recall a school report from my German teacher saying that I had no talent for languages. That hasn’t stopped me learning them after leaving school. As long as you put in the hours you will get better.
I find languages a gateway to different cultures. Without exception when I’ve learnt a language I’ve become much more curious about the country where the language is spoken, their culture and food. It makes visiting those countries so much more interesting and satisfying. I went to Japan on business and it was okay but then went back after having spent a year learning the language as it was a completely different experience.
I like reading literature and it is very different to read in the original language. However good the translation something is always missing. Most of the great writers are not great because of their stories but because of how they use language.
Partly I think it is because in today’s world language learning is so much easier than when I was young. There are so many resources and opportunities. There are free Apps like Duolingo to help as well as inexpensive paid for Apps, YouTube videos, online newspapers, Vlogs and podcasts, cheap online one to one language lessons and even language exchange partners.
I wouldn’t say that learning languages is essential unless you don’t speak English. But then playing tennis or running marathons are also not the useful.
I'd love to learn Welsh, but repeated failures in learning languages over the last 60 years means I just don't have the energy anymore.
I actually progressed well in Welsh when I was on the tube for 2 hours every day in London and was captive, but once I actual moved to Wales I failed again. It doesn't help that no-one speaks welsh here of course
I actually progressed well in Welsh when I was on the tube for 2 hours every day in London and was captive, but once I actual moved to Wales I failed again. It doesn't help that no-one speaks welsh here of course
Esceptico said:
The hobby I spend most time on at the moment is language learning. I am not sure why I find it so satisfying. A few reasons I suspect.
Firstly it doesn’t require any special skill, just determination. I still recall a school report from my German teacher saying that I had no talent for languages. That hasn’t stopped me learning them after leaving school. As long as you put in the hours you will get better.
I find languages a gateway to different cultures. Without exception when I’ve learnt a language I’ve become much more curious about the country where the language is spoken, their culture and food. It makes visiting those countries so much more interesting and satisfying. I went to Japan on business and it was okay but then went back after having spent a year learning the language as it was a completely different experience.
I like reading literature and it is very different to read in the original language. However good the translation something is always missing. Most of the great writers are not great because of their stories but because of how they use language.
Partly I think it is because in today’s world language learning is so much easier than when I was young. There are so many resources and opportunities. There are free Apps like Duolingo to help as well as inexpensive paid for Apps, YouTube videos, online newspapers, Vlogs and podcasts, cheap online one to one language lessons and even language exchange partners.
I wouldn’t say that learning languages is essential unless you don’t speak English. But then playing tennis or running marathons are also not the useful.
Learning a new language has always interested me, especially as my GF parents now live in Spain and my job involves me working with alot of people based in South America and Spain. Trouble is I start and then loose interest and never carry it on. Firstly it doesn’t require any special skill, just determination. I still recall a school report from my German teacher saying that I had no talent for languages. That hasn’t stopped me learning them after leaving school. As long as you put in the hours you will get better.
I find languages a gateway to different cultures. Without exception when I’ve learnt a language I’ve become much more curious about the country where the language is spoken, their culture and food. It makes visiting those countries so much more interesting and satisfying. I went to Japan on business and it was okay but then went back after having spent a year learning the language as it was a completely different experience.
I like reading literature and it is very different to read in the original language. However good the translation something is always missing. Most of the great writers are not great because of their stories but because of how they use language.
Partly I think it is because in today’s world language learning is so much easier than when I was young. There are so many resources and opportunities. There are free Apps like Duolingo to help as well as inexpensive paid for Apps, YouTube videos, online newspapers, Vlogs and podcasts, cheap online one to one language lessons and even language exchange partners.
I wouldn’t say that learning languages is essential unless you don’t speak English. But then playing tennis or running marathons are also not the useful.
Talking of youtube have you ever watched this guy? https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLNoXf8gq6vhwsrYp... loves learning new languages and seems to indicate once you have learnt a few its much easier to learn more as lots have similar traits which can be transferred across.
I wish I could relate to this, I have tried to learn French as I moved to French speaking area. It's been way harder than I thought and often get flustered & frustrated when trying to converse. I know its down to me not taking the time each day but blimey its been a challenge.
My wife is bilingual and wants to only speak French at home but it drives me nuts, I'm at a bit of a loss with my own journey and how I keep motivated.
My wife is bilingual and wants to only speak French at home but it drives me nuts, I'm at a bit of a loss with my own journey and how I keep motivated.
Lemanandbeyond said:
I wish I could relate to this, I have tried to learn French as I moved to French speaking area. It's been way harder than I thought and often get flustered & frustrated when trying to converse. I know its down to me not taking the time each day but blimey its been a challenge.
My wife is bilingual and wants to only speak French at home but it drives me nuts, I'm at a bit of a loss with my own journey and how I keep motivated.
Get Duolingo Pro and just do 15 minutes every morning or whenever.My wife is bilingual and wants to only speak French at home but it drives me nuts, I'm at a bit of a loss with my own journey and how I keep motivated.
As with everything in life worth having (exercise, learning, friendship), effort equals reward.
If you're there already, join a car club and learn a bit more for every meeting. That should motivate you.
You're absolutely spot on it's all about effort.
I can converse (Just) but its a long way from being good at it. I understand far more than I can speak, I'm comfortable in most situations to follow the conversation but I'm still translating everything in my head. It's a process I haven't enjoyed so I guess like you say join a club with interest and that may help.
When there's a group that's when I'm totally lost, I cant follow multiple conversations as I cant translate quick enough lol.
I can converse (Just) but its a long way from being good at it. I understand far more than I can speak, I'm comfortable in most situations to follow the conversation but I'm still translating everything in my head. It's a process I haven't enjoyed so I guess like you say join a club with interest and that may help.
When there's a group that's when I'm totally lost, I cant follow multiple conversations as I cant translate quick enough lol.
I decided early last year that I wanted to progress my Portuguese beyond the basic conversational level that I've been stuck at for more than a decade.
To that end I found a private tutor and now have an hour a week, one on one through Zoom.
It's slow going as my memory is really awful and I struggle as I have no-one to actually practice with, but last November when I went to Portugal for a week I was able to get along just about everywhere which was a great feeling.
Last night's lesson (hour #27) introduced a further verb type to conjugate. Every time something new is introduced I'm reminded of how far I have left to go!
I really do enjoy it though, it's lovely to converse with the locals (and the look on an elderly Brazilian man's face on the tube back in 2010 when I was able to give him directions was priceless!)
To that end I found a private tutor and now have an hour a week, one on one through Zoom.
It's slow going as my memory is really awful and I struggle as I have no-one to actually practice with, but last November when I went to Portugal for a week I was able to get along just about everywhere which was a great feeling.
Last night's lesson (hour #27) introduced a further verb type to conjugate. Every time something new is introduced I'm reminded of how far I have left to go!
I really do enjoy it though, it's lovely to converse with the locals (and the look on an elderly Brazilian man's face on the tube back in 2010 when I was able to give him directions was priceless!)
The trick I figured out for myself a few years back, was to buy children's story or educational books. It's obvious really, as the language is naturally easier when aimed at a younger audience, yet is still surprisingly diverse. You cannot start at your adult English level in your chosen new language.
I also read a very interesting article last weekend about the bloke who presents repair shop. Apparently he cannot read, but is learning. He too figured out that his reading ability was only at children book level, and so he uses his kids books as learning tools.
I'd recommend it, also you can often get dual language books, which are great, but can make you lazy.
I also read a very interesting article last weekend about the bloke who presents repair shop. Apparently he cannot read, but is learning. He too figured out that his reading ability was only at children book level, and so he uses his kids books as learning tools.
I'd recommend it, also you can often get dual language books, which are great, but can make you lazy.
Buffalo said:
The trick I figured out for myself a few years back, was to buy children's story or educational books. It's obvious really, as the language is naturally easier when aimed at a younger audience, yet is still surprisingly diverse. You cannot start at your adult English level in your chosen new language.
I also read a very interesting article last weekend about the bloke who presents repair shop. Apparently he cannot read, but is learning. He too figured out that his reading ability was only at children book level, and so he uses his kids books as learning tools.
I'd recommend it, also you can often get dual language books, which are great, but can make you lazy.
When I was learning French I tried to read Camus but it was too difficult. So I switched to Harry Potter. It was much easier. I have also read the Hunger Games and His Dark Materials in Spanish. I’ve also reread books that have been translated from English - I think knowing the story can help.I also read a very interesting article last weekend about the bloke who presents repair shop. Apparently he cannot read, but is learning. He too figured out that his reading ability was only at children book level, and so he uses his kids books as learning tools.
I'd recommend it, also you can often get dual language books, which are great, but can make you lazy.
I find the problem with dual language is that you just end up reading the English!
Lemanandbeyond said:
I wish I could relate to this, I have tried to learn French as I moved to French speaking area. It's been way harder than I thought and often get flustered & frustrated when trying to converse. I know its down to me not taking the time each day but blimey its been a challenge.
My wife is bilingual and wants to only speak French at home but it drives me nuts, I'm at a bit of a loss with my own journey and how I keep motivated.
Have you tried Duolingo? I was skeptical about Duolingo as I tried it in 2015 and didn’t think it was that good but having gone back to it recently they have upgraded it a lot. The French course looks okay although I’ve only done a few lessons. I think much better than books as you get to practice all four skills. My wife is bilingual and wants to only speak French at home but it drives me nuts, I'm at a bit of a loss with my own journey and how I keep motivated.
Learning Spanish has made me realise how ridiculous many aspects of English are. I'm glad English is my first language because otherwise, I don't think I'd ever have mastered it. It's nonsense. How many ways are there to pronounce ough? Bought, thorough, cough, rough, plough, furlough etc.
The dog runs with me. One dog, pluralise run. The dogs run with me. 2 dogs, singular of run??
Putting the adjective before the noun?? The red car. The fact that it's a car if far more important that the colour. It should be The car red, as it is in many languages.
The dog runs with me. One dog, pluralise run. The dogs run with me. 2 dogs, singular of run??
Putting the adjective before the noun?? The red car. The fact that it's a car if far more important that the colour. It should be The car red, as it is in many languages.
If you can find stuff that interests you it goes a long way to boodsting your exposure to a language. On school trips to France I made a point of buying French model aircraft magazines (Took me a while to understand that 'bougie' means candle, but also means glow plug or spark plug). Reading , with a dictionary to hand rapidly boosted my French vocabulary, plus it showed me the verbs etc. that I learned in school in use.
These days,watching Youtube videos, car repairs, hobbies or whatever allows you exposure to spoken language too.
My personal theory is that we only don't understand other languages when we are sober. I'm far better conversing in Russian after a few beers or vodkas.
Dva peeva pojausta!
These days,watching Youtube videos, car repairs, hobbies or whatever allows you exposure to spoken language too.
My personal theory is that we only don't understand other languages when we are sober. I'm far better conversing in Russian after a few beers or vodkas.
Dva peeva pojausta!
TwigtheWonderkid said:
Learning Spanish has made me realise how ridiculous many aspects of English are. I'm glad English is my first language because otherwise, I don't think I'd ever have mastered it. It's nonsense. How many ways are there to pronounce ough? Bought, thorough, cough, rough, plough, furlough etc.
The dog runs with me. One dog, pluralise run. The dogs run with me. 2 dogs, singular of run??
Putting the adjective before the noun?? The red car. The fact that it's a car if far more important that the colour. It should be The car red, as it is in many languages.
Yeah it’s very phonetic Spanish. On other hand it had plenty of sounds English speakers might struggle with like rolling are so it still is hard to read off the page. The dog runs with me. One dog, pluralise run. The dogs run with me. 2 dogs, singular of run??
Putting the adjective before the noun?? The red car. The fact that it's a car if far more important that the colour. It should be The car red, as it is in many languages.
At least we don’t have gendered nouns.
Easiest way to learn a language is to really want what the other person can give you! Then you get the double reward.
lizardbrain said:
Yeah it’s very phonetic Spanish. On other hand it had plenty of sounds English speakers might struggle with like rolling are so it still is hard to read off the page.
At least we don’t have gendered nouns.
Easiest way to learn a language is to really want what the other person can give you! Then you get the double reward.
I used to think Spanish was fairly easy until I started to learn Mandarin. Much simpler - simplest language I’ve come across (apart from the writing). No genders. No changes in nouns for plurals. No changes to adjectives. No changes in verbs for number or person or tense. So no irregular verbs. In fact no irregularities that I’ve come across so far (apart from tone changes). All beautifully logical and straightforward. At least we don’t have gendered nouns.
Easiest way to learn a language is to really want what the other person can give you! Then you get the double reward.
lizardbrain said:
Yeah it’s very phonetic Spanish. On other hand it had plenty of sounds English speakers might struggle with like rolling are so it still is hard to read off the page.
At least we don’t have gendered nouns.
Indeed, that's one area where English is better. And Spanish nouns have genders that are often counter intuitive. El vestido (the dress, masculine), but the skirt (la falda) is feminine. At least we don’t have gendered nouns.
I am finding a lot of sensible things in Spanish.
For example hermano/hermana (or abuelo/abuela/esposo/esposa) where one word covers both genders of the thing.
Hermano = brother
Hermana = sister
Learn one word, covers both. It's really sensible compared to the English equivalents that seemingly bear no relation to each other that I can see.
I'm just getting into plurals though and they are bloody complicated, so I reserve the right to come back and say Spanish is stupid.
For example hermano/hermana (or abuelo/abuela/esposo/esposa) where one word covers both genders of the thing.
Hermano = brother
Hermana = sister
Learn one word, covers both. It's really sensible compared to the English equivalents that seemingly bear no relation to each other that I can see.
I'm just getting into plurals though and they are bloody complicated, so I reserve the right to come back and say Spanish is stupid.
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