Have you learned a foreign language?

1. 61

   Bronson_Hubposted 14 years ago

   Have you learned a foreign language?
   
   If yes, what triggered the pivotal moment when it made it all make sense to you?  Or still waiting for that moment?

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2. 86

   the50marathons17posted 14 years ago

   Once you learn a foreign language the next one becomes easier and easier.

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3. 83

   ezhangposted 14 years ago

   I don't think there's ever a moment when it suddenly "all makes sense." I think it's more of a never-ending experience that you just have to go through. I've taken Japanese for 3 years in college (and even got a minor in it) and I still wouldn't say that it all makes sense.
   
   I've noticed however, that I began to pick up more and more parts of the conversations. As an example, I first noticed that I can pick up the easy greeting phrases, "good morning" or "thank you". Slowly, I began to understand phrases like "Where is the bank?" and "I am going to school".
   
   As my classes continued, I began to pick up more and more parts of the language, till the point where I can understand 60% to 70% of everyday speech.
   
   Never has it all suddenly began to make sense, and I feel that if I were to continue my studies in the langauge, it would be the same process, where I will slowly notice myself capable of understanding more complicated parts of the speech.
   
   Long answer short, I don't think it's as easy to just have the language suddenly make sense entirely. I see it as a continual never ending process.

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4. 0

   Ruach Eishposted 14 years ago

   Yes, I have learnt Biblical Hebrew, German, Old English and am now doing Portuguese.  It is a very rewarding exercise, learning another language.

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5. 76

   rhondakimposted 14 years ago

   I majored in Spanish about a million years ago in college, and I am pretty much fluent now.  The one thing that got me here is SPEAKING IT.  I've never embarrassed to make a mistake (in this arena anyway, lol) - instead, I'm always excited to learn more and more.  And people love when you make any attempt to speak their language.  I've never met a Hispanic person who didn't take pleasure in helping me.  I think they get a kick out of my efforts. 
   
   I don't remember the exact situation, but yes, there have been a few times that I thought to myself:  "Wow!  I just spoke Spanish to someone, and it flowed so naturally!"  However, whenever I don't speak Spanish for a few weeks or so, I notice I start to get rusty.  So it's imperative to keep those muscles working. 
   
   There is nothing like the rush of becoming fluent in a foreign language.

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6. 82

   vox vocisposted 14 years ago

   I started learning English at the age of six, Italian and Latin at the age of 14, German at the age of 28 and Spanish somewhere in between. If I had the time, I would just learn one language after another, but I am a perfectionist and it takes time to learn a language perfectly! And, it all makes perfect sense to me :-)

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7. 59

   languages4freeposted 14 years ago

   I am always learning languages and improving my language skills. I teach languages for free to anyone who wants to learn. The more I teach, the more I learn. I created a website to facilitate in the teaching process, because I am too busy to teach to everyone. So my pivotal moment was about 14 years ago when I decided that in 10 years I would like to know a lot of languages and to share my teachings with the world.

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8. 61

   JoeOmnicientposted 14 years ago

   yes! When i got the tenses and genders thing down without thinking. That really helped.

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9. 84

   Paul Kuehnposted 14 years ago

   In my life I have studied many languages:  Latin, Spanish, German, French, Chinese Mandarin, Chinese Haw, Taiwanese, and Thai.  Unfortunately, I have only learned three languages to any level of proficiency.  These languages are Chinese Mandarin, Taiwanese, and Thai.  To answer your question, the pivotal moment for these three languages took place when I lived in Taiwan and Thailand and became immersed in the language every day.

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