When I was younger, it was easier. I would move fluidly from one to another, no questions asked. It could be done with my hands, while reading, while speaking, so many different ways. Alright, mind out of the gutter! I am talking about language. When I was little, I knew French from school, I picked up Latin from my family, and I was fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate with my friend, as well as a precaution in the event the rest of my hearing went. But just like any skill, if you don’t use it you WILL lose it.
As an adult who has worked in some form of public service/customer care for 14 years, I have had some need to call upon my various language skills over the years, yet not nearly frequently enough. With the world becoming more connected, and people moving from their regions of origin, all I want to do is be able to communicate with others in their language. It is respectful to their culture and language, and to be frank, it is selfish for me to assume everyone should speak the same language. How boring would that be? This is not even touching on the requirement in some countries or businesses that it is mandatory to know additional languages to advance in job placement or to have more opportunities.
As a parent, it is also my responsibility to govern a love of learning in my child (which with LilPinner, it is easy enough to do; how many children decide they are going to teach themselves to read at three?). To keep her challenged and learning, @mwoodall and I were speaking some French to her, yet we have neglected it over the last couple months.
Currently to restart my learning of French, I have enrolled in DuoLingo, and am starting at the bottom with the basics to get a proper foundation. My desired list is this:
French (as is my dual nationally recognized language)
Mandarin (as it is spoken by so many in my community)
Irish (to embrace my heritage)
So I am calling to you, my fellow Steemians. What languages do you speak, and how did you learn them? Did you use online training, class work, cultural immersion, or any other ideas? What are your personal views on learning multiple languages, and their benefits? I am very curious to hear from all of you!
I only wish I spoke other languages. I'm a bit miffed at my folks over this. I am a first born American. My father was German, mother an Italian. They met in France. They both spoke three languages. When they immigrated to the U.S., they made a conscious decision to leave all of that behind and adopt the American way of life. So all of us kids (5) were never exposed to our parents heritage or language. I totally understand why they did what they did. But I still feel slighted. I could have easily learned those languages as a child.
Wow that would be amazing, to be able to speak four languages. I also would probably be miffed in this case as well, with what could have been learned. The loss of culture would be hardest for me I think. Have you considered trying to learn them as an adult? Though it would b certainly more of a challenge
Haha, the only words I know in other languages are cuss words. Funny how those stick with ya'. I've thought about trying to learn but somehow it always gets pushed down in favor of something else when I have limited time.
Yes, that I often find happens. What I am trying is the duolingo app and it is about 5 minute lessons. Hoping it helps me personally. Lets me have the lesson with my morning tea. Ahhh yes I remember swear words as well! Some in languages where I wonder when I even picked them up haha
English. French is a far far distant second.
One little girl in the playground said, "I know French and English. That's the language that I'm speaking to you right now!" I laughed out loud.
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