munchkin
@munchkin
11 Years1,000+ Posts
Comments: 3 · Posts: 1399 · Topics: 28
How are some people so good at learning languages?
Let's not forget the diversity of languages in Europe. We come into contact with all sorts of different languages fairly early in life. I don't know how often Americans get the chance to really experience communicating with a foreign who doesn't speak their language, but I'm guessing not nerly as much as your average European.
Than there's the obvious, educational system differences, even though I believe that the best and fastest way to learn a new language is to experience it up close and personal. No school can beat that.
English is not my mother language either. But over here, I dare to say that we're pretty much forced to learn English whether we like it or not. I learned nothing in school as far as languages go. It's all movies/videogames/music, so on, so on. English is everywhere, you really have no choice but to know it. It's not nearly as hard to pick up on as folks think it is. I already knew my way around English fairly well when I was 11-12 years old.
As far as European languages, really... once you learn 2 of them you'll easily understand, if not know them all.
Than there's the obvious, educational system differences, even though I believe that the best and fastest way to learn a new language is to experience it up close and personal. No school can beat that.
English is not my mother language either. But over here, I dare to say that we're pretty much forced to learn English whether we like it or not. I learned nothing in school as far as languages go. It's all movies/videogames/music, so on, so on. English is everywhere, you really have no choice but to know it. It's not nearly as hard to pick up on as folks think it is. I already knew my way around English fairly well when I was 11-12 years old.
As far as European languages, really... once you learn 2 of them you'll easily understand, if not know them all.
Posted by TwirlingStrawberry
I only read the first post....so, sorry if this has already been touched upon.....
We don't have the option (well, I didn't in public school) of taking a foreign language until middle school. My options were only Spanish, French or German.
By that time, I believe, it's way too late.
Most people outside of the states are accustom to many different languages from the time they are born.
Hell, you still hear people bitch in the states about a sign being both in English and in Spanish or calling a customer service line and having to select "1" for English.
I believe it's an irrational entitlement issue, as if some believe that English is the only language one should speak.
Here, we don't have language classes until HIGH school. I was in sophomore year when I was able to take a Spanish class.
And I remember it being nothing but grammar exercises from the textbook and memorizing vocab by rote.
Then I hear native speakers speaking, and I can barely understand. 😢
Obviously not all American are ignorant, just like all Englishmen are not classy tea-drinking-umbrella-carrying gents and just like all Taureans are not fatasses. But stereotypes do exist for a reason.
Posted by TwirlingStrawberryPosted by Theatrum
just like all Englishmen are not classy tea-drinking-umbrella-carrying gents.
what—!!!!
*dreams shattered*
😛click to expand
They're out there, I swear!
Posted by TwirlingStrawberry
"nothing but grammar exercises from the textbook and memorizing vocab by rote"
that is how it was for me too.
I started with German and when I challenged the teacher I was quickly dismissed as being a trouble maker.....lost interest and decided I wanted to learn French because the class was supposed to take a summer trip to France....lol
Needless to say, the class never went to France and when I finally did get to France, I was incredibly 'language lost'. smh.
Also, in public school, you could only take two years of a foreign language, that is all they could offer....and yes it was all just grammar and memorization, you never really were able to hold a conversation with it.
LOL! I almost got kicked out of Spanish class too, for suggesting that we focus some of the curriculum on listening and comprehension of native speakers.
Personally, I wish America catered more to Spanish speakers. Mexico is our neighbor. It'd be a fabulous chance to learn their language. Whenever phones offer Spanish alternative, I go for that to get a lil bit of practice. 😄
I was an avid video gamer as a child and in my early teens. Then I found myself spending a lot of time in the inet. Reading articles, watching shows, etc... all in English.
I guess I learned it naturally.
I guess I learned it naturally.
Posted by geminicandIe
I learned some Spanish from tele-novelas, hehe.
Do you have a favorite?? 😛
Oh the number of times I've watched Mariana de la Noche with my grandmother as a kid. The intro songs I knew by heart!
Posted by GobshitePosted by RabbitPosted by Rabbit
Show an American how learning another language will benefit him/her financially, and watch that person learn that language in no time.
Most people in the US would rather learn a skill or trade useful in their lives. Knowing multiple languages is more of a luxury than a necessity for the majority of Americans.
To expand upon this...
I know plenty of Good Old Boy/Stereotypical White Males from the Midwest that learned Spanish in no time flat in order to communicate with their coworkers/ contractors.
Don't paint all Americans with the Stupid and Ignorant brush until you've actually lived here for an extended period of time.
click to expand
—— —? ——? —— ?
I live in Canada, I speak 3 languages.
In my country, you start English when you're in second grade (8 years old) and French/German when you're in fifth grade (11 years old). You do that until you finish high school..and no way you're out of high school if you don't master at least one of those in writing and the other in speaking.
I don't think Americans are ignorant, I just think they don't see the need to learn another language since they can go everywhere in the world and talk in English.
What really annoys me though => grammar mistakes made by native speakers. You have ONE language you need to be proficient in and you can't even master "your" vs "you're" ? Kick rocks.
(waiting for NYAA to troll me)
I don't think Americans are ignorant, I just think they don't see the need to learn another language since they can go everywhere in the world and talk in English.
What really annoys me though => grammar mistakes made by native speakers. You have ONE language you need to be proficient in and you can't even master "your" vs "you're" ? Kick rocks.
(waiting for NYAA to troll me)
Posted by tiziani
What's the Romanian for "Whatever D"?
There isn't an accurate one actually. My language is trolling me by itself lol.
"In fine, D" is the closest.
Posted by TwirlingStrawberry
I blame my mercury in sag (detriment) for my grammatical errors 😛
I know the difference between you're and your....a and an....
But I am in such a rush to get words out before I lose them......sometimes I don't pay any attention at all.
It doesn't annoy me if I can tell it came out in a rush. It annoys me when I see it repeatedly in written form..especially when I already think you're an idiot. It just cements my theory..like adding insult to injury.
I speak 10+ languages, my own, English & several other southern-African languages. I can also hear some bits of Punjabi, Hindi & Urdu, but I can't communicate in those languages.
The reason why I decided to learn languages is because I want to be able to talk to people. Plus, I didn't want to be talked about infront of my face while I'm sitting there grinning like an idiot, without any clue. I enjoy languages. Next one on my list is Chinese, I want to be able to bargain with the fuckers when I visit their shops. I already have them though...see, I've got this Chinese tattoo on my neck & when they ask me about it, I tell them that I used to date a Chinese guy lol. It gets them every time & I get a discount. Hmmm, imagine what I'd get away with when I start speaking 😄 I smell FREEBIES!! Just kidding lol. I just love communication.
The reason why I decided to learn languages is because I want to be able to talk to people. Plus, I didn't want to be talked about infront of my face while I'm sitting there grinning like an idiot, without any clue. I enjoy languages. Next one on my list is Chinese, I want to be able to bargain with the fuckers when I visit their shops. I already have them though...see, I've got this Chinese tattoo on my neck & when they ask me about it, I tell them that I used to date a Chinese guy lol. It gets them every time & I get a discount. Hmmm, imagine what I'd get away with when I start speaking 😄 I smell FREEBIES!! Just kidding lol. I just love communication.
I am an American, yet I speak four languages fluently with conversational proficiency in two others. My mother is an American and speaks nine. It is unfair to make such broad assertions.
Posted by scorchedearth
how do you say "screw you damnata" in romanian?
We use a LOT of profanity..you'll need to be more specific.
"dispari, damnata!" = "be gone damnata"
"sa te fut, damnata" = "fuck you damnata"
Posted by tizianiPosted by DamnataPosted by tiziani
What's the Romanian for "Whatever D"?
There isn't an accurate one actually. My language is trolling me by itself lol.
"In fine, D" is the closest.
is that like "affaire class?e"?click to expand
Exactly.
Join the Conversation. Explore Yourself. Connect with Others.
Discover insights, swap stories, and find people. dxpnet is where experiences turn into understanding.
Create Your Free Account →Related Topics
http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/12/world/asia/malaysia-airlines-plane/ _----Interesting Video (CNN) -- More than four d
This video has been doing the rounds lately. I think its really beautiful but i can't really explain why. So awkward, so
I thought this was beautifully done and what an interesting concept to put strangers into an intimate moment. It brings
I am curious about how my native language sounds to foreigners. I have no idea how mongolian sounds to other foreign peo
Does the end justify the means? Do you agree or disagree with the concept that... ... using bad or immoral meth
I'm not sure if I put the right number of s' there.. maybe not lol did he say the number of s was seven?? :p this is
So why do you still believe it?
Sooo...coming to dxp back after a long break. Some of you might remember me as a Mongolian/Aqua. Thought dxp would be
He needs a home! Currently resides in Scotland. This boy has been shuffled around and around and no one wants him
Guys, how often do you get them from just hugging someone?
Man says this while having passionate sex. What does this mean?...as far as his feelings for me (is this a sign of love
It's about that time again. We'll be starting off with two teams and whittling them down until it's a handful of indivi
This was a post I made in the Washington Post after an article on Obamacare and how few youngsters have signed up for O-
I upload a photo, it tells me it took, but then I go to look and it tells me I've uploaded no photos. Anyone have a clue
My boyfriend had saved up a lot of money throughout the years to open up a business, about 2 years ago his best BEST fri
Weird to randomly show up to see/support someone at their court date or should you ask first? Topic of discussion wi
A question everyone should have before joining this site... Its really quite simple. According to labels (Leo, Ca
and the cardinal crisis, bank run, and financial collapse?
Leo Girl, Leo guy, Aquarian Girl, Aquarian Guy...end of the day ARENT we just people! God this Duncan dude is the true e
But in America, people are lucky to speak English properly.
For example, GeminicandIe, if I recall correctly, speaks like 5 languages.
Enfant_terrible speaks at least 2, I'm sure.
Whereas I'm not even fluent in Spanish yet, and I took classes for 2 years in high school. 😢
Is it because of less exposure to other languages in the States? Or is it that Americans are just naturally bad at languages?
It just seems unfair, lol!!