What language have you always wanted to learn? Do you think you will try?
Learning a second language was a requirement for my high school. Back then, we only had two choices, French and Spanish. Not having a crystal ball to see into the future, I chose French.
Although we only needed two years for graduation, I stuck with French for all four years. I can’t claim I was ever very good at it, although I got decent grades. My comprehension of the written language was far above my abilities with the spoken form. I couldn’t ‘hear’ the unique pronunciations and subtle differences between French and English. I got the words right, but I slaughtered the way I said them.
My senior year, I studied Russian history. That was back in the Cold War days and I thought I should know more about our biggest enemy. As a side point of interest, I attempted to learn some basic Russian. There wasn’t anyone around who knew the language, so most of my study was grammar and the actual letters. This was pre-internet days, so I couldn’t even go online to listen to the language.
Amazingly enough, the college I went to offered Russian. Even though I wasn’t required to take a language course, I jumped on the opportunity. And you know what? I had the same problems with Russian that I did with French. Did fine with the written portion, couldn’t catch the nuances of the spoken part.
There is one language out there that doesn’t require being able to hear the subtleties of the spoken word and I’ve thought about giving it a try. Sign. I know there are on-line courses, but I value in-person teaching, and our local community college doesn’t offer sign as a course. I’m not sure I’m ready to make that much of a commitment to it anyway. I don’t know how I’d use it in my daily life.
But I love watching videos of people who have the skills. Their hands dance as they talk.
Maybe one of these days. Until then.
Just after I finished this blog, I stumbled across a video that proves my point about shows what sign language can do. so here’s a bonus.
July 16, 2018
What language have you always wanted to learn? Do you think you will try?
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