smittenbyu (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
smittenbyu) wrote2018-10-02 05:27 pm
smittenbyu) wrote2018-10-02 05:27 pm
Every grown adult should learn a second language
For the fun of it, I decided to take up Spanish classes. I find myself cheating a bit since I have some basic understanding of Italian & French (I lived in Italy and took Spanish in Middle & High School) - mind you, I haven't actually spoken either of those languages at length since I left Italy and finished high school, respectively. But it's helped to memorialize Latin word roots in my head.
It's only been 3 classes - once a week and it's not necessarily a language I need to survive - I am there to learn something new. To converse with my colleagues who are predominantly from Central & South America, for my interest. So, every time I am in that class - I hear in my head the phrases that get thrown to the immigrants, "learn English!" And my heart goes out to them.
If it were only that easy. I spent half hour doing very basic Spanish homework. I spend two hours in a classroom trying to think in a completely different language. And I am left exhausted.
I of course, knew it wouldn't be easy. I can easily switch between Telugu & English - not exhausting at all - I grew up with it. I am able to now switch up English-Telugu-Hindi. But taking Spanish is really challenging. Clearly as adults it's much harder!! yeeks.
But I think to sharpen one's mind, we must pick a new language in adulthood. It's a brain workout, indeed! And as a bonus it teaches some empathy!
It's only been 3 classes - once a week and it's not necessarily a language I need to survive - I am there to learn something new. To converse with my colleagues who are predominantly from Central & South America, for my interest. So, every time I am in that class - I hear in my head the phrases that get thrown to the immigrants, "learn English!" And my heart goes out to them.
If it were only that easy. I spent half hour doing very basic Spanish homework. I spend two hours in a classroom trying to think in a completely different language. And I am left exhausted.
I of course, knew it wouldn't be easy. I can easily switch between Telugu & English - not exhausting at all - I grew up with it. I am able to now switch up English-Telugu-Hindi. But taking Spanish is really challenging. Clearly as adults it's much harder!! yeeks.
But I think to sharpen one's mind, we must pick a new language in adulthood. It's a brain workout, indeed! And as a bonus it teaches some empathy!
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But hey! At least there are resources available for Spanish... Telugu was horrific to try to pick up as a second language learner. The dictionary they gave us was from 1878, and great if you wanted to talk about sheep dip and fertilizer. Anything more modern, you were out of luck.
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