Learning a new language - Your experience

[MyDoorsAreOpen]

^ Depends what your first language is. Dutch people don't seem to have much trouble picking up English.

I never found idioms all that much of an obstacle to learning foreign languages -- they're just extended pieces of vocabulary, that you memorize as one chunk of meaning.

I imagine one of the most maddening things about learning English must be the fact that the spelling and pronunciation rules are so inconsistent.

Also, when I dated a native Chinese speaker, she complained that we have WAAAY too many synonyms, and too many ways of phrasing the same statement. She said (and I only half agree), that Chinese tend to have only one word for any concept, whose etymology is rather straightforward and logical. Furthermore, she said there are not nearly as many ways to phrase the same statement as there are in English, and she felt that the line between lying and telling the truth was much clearer in Chinese. It annoyed her to no end when English speakers would dress up a statement with fancy words to make it appear to say something other than what it essentially said.

 

[n3ophy7e]

I imagine one of the most maddening things about learning English must be the fact that the spelling and pronunciation rules are so inconsistent.

Also, when I dated a native Chinese speaker, she complained that we have WAAAY too many synonyms, and too many ways of phrasing the same statement.

These are the exact reasons why I imagine English would be difficult to learn!! Not so much the idioms...contrary to what my previous post insinuated Sorry I didn't really explain my thoughts very well :D

 

[_a_A_C_c_]

I'd love to learn Farsi, both out of a long-running interest in Iranian history, and because it would have the double-benefit of fostering a familiarity with the Arabic alphabet, which is of course used in many other languages.

i am slowly learning the language from a friend. but he is illiterate when it comes to the arabic alphabet

i have to agree with everyone that has said immersion or daily practice is important. i find i am able to remember a language better when i am using it on a regular basis. otherwise i have to think about what i want to say in english and then translate to whatever language i need in my head.

for people who do not speak another language fluently: do you ever dream in another language?

 

[Belisarius]

^
Believe it or not, though my Spanish is very mediocre, in the midst of a raging fever I had a long dream--actually, a series of dreams--in which every single character was Hispanic, and much of the dialog seemed to be in Spanish. Never had one like it before, or since.

 

[_a_A_C_c_]

to answer my own question, i have had dreams in french before (my french is ok, i can read and understand it well but i sometimes struggle to speak it since i don't use it often). i don't really remember them well but i tend to not remember dreams unless they are nightmares.

 

[Cyc]

I've been told that I speak french in my sleep. This occurs usually after a long study session.

 

[incartiettelle]

There's an interesting study that suggests that the areas for language compete with the areas for creativity in the brain. I've always been pretty quick at picking up a new language, so I'm happy I have an excuse for my stick-figure self-portraits

See here: http://www.americanscientist.org/science/pub/-1510

This is off topic: Cyc, I have been trying to get ahold of you for some time. Please private message me with a valid e-mail address that I could reach you at. I would most appreciate being able to speak with you.

 

[dokomo]

^
Bonne chance!

Merci! :D

 

[MyDoorsAreOpen]

There's an interesting study that suggests that the areas for language compete with the areas for creativity in the brain. I've always been pretty quick at picking up a new language, so I'm happy I have an excuse for my stick-figure self-portraits

See here: http://www.americanscientist.org/science/pub/-1510

They're sure not going to prove this by me. I have a pretty vivid imagination and a miles-outside-the-box thinking style whether I'm using my native language or not.

On a similar note, though, I find it funny how a in lot of brainiac circles, prowess in music and prowess in math are thought of as going together (Suzuki method, anyone?). For some reason, language learning never enters into this equation. It should, though: the parts of the brain that process speech and music are right next to each other in the parietal lobe's auditory cortex, while the part that processes math and logical relationships is all the way across the corpus callosum on the other side of the brain!

More people need to realize that language and music are essentially two different types of the same phenomenon. They're both arrangements of sound that communicate. I really think that any kid who shows an early aptitude for music ought to be started on a second language or two pronto! Don't keep him/her away from music, of course. But being able to speak multiple languages is such an invaluable asset, both as a life skill and for brain development, that is best learned young.

 

[Cyc]

I showed a great affinity for music and language as a child, but I was pushed through the gears of the public system, same as everyone else.

I suppose that's the one downfall of a one-size-fits-all school system. It would be nice if we could diversify and enrich our public school sector, to better tailor individual learning goals.

 

[strangefamiliarity]

Hi,

I began studying Spanish in the seventh grade. I took French in high school as well. I believe that langauges must be learned as earlya s possible, students must practice the target language, and the way languages are taught in many schools is ineffective.
Stduetns don't make the connections necessary to construct their thoughts in the new language. Then, what happens when teachers are hired who cannot speak the langauge, but can merely read and write it?
Students learn the langauge, but fail to acquire it. I prefer scenarios where studetns need to acquire the language, which makes it more real to them. I had to practice and take the risk that I would embarrass myself in front of native speaekrs in order to speak with any degree of fluency and comprehensibility.
I am also fond of the emmersion approach, once students are no longer beginners. For example, only grammatical structure should be explained in the first year of language study. everything else should promote all aspects of literacy in the target language.
It should not be dumbed down the way it is in public school. Now, don't get me wrong. I have great empathy for public school teachers, and the lack of time to differentiate instruction for all students. I know it is extremely difficult, so this is not to diss any teachers, as I am about to be one myself.
I will teach privately though, not in public school, but that is another a topic for another time.

 

[MyDoorsAreOpen]

^ Yep.

Nothing gets kids learning another language like needing it to play with the other kids in their world. And any activity practiced frequently as play during childhood comes easier in adulthood.