Habla ingles?
Language. It's a funny thing. It can bring people together, and tear them apart. There are so many different languages around the world, but I always look for the similarities.
Language can be tough:
I always find it so exciting to be in a place where I have to make an effort to understand and be understood. Exciting but tiring!I also find it very interesting how quickly some people can pick up a language. Some of the other North American teachers, who knew very little Spanish when they arrived, are excelling amazingly well. If I'm honest, I am a bit jealous of them! I am usually pretty good, but I think my brain is on overload here. I was expecting myself to be more fluent, given that in Spain, in one month, I was reasonably able to discuss biochemistry... I guess it is a case made for immersion! In Spain, I was going to school in Spanish, where as here, I can go most of the day only in English. Or I have to let go of my fear of making mistakes...
Language is understanding:
I really should try to find some motivation, so that I don't always have a blank look on my face, though! It is tough too, because I look like I should speak Spanish in some form or another, and then I just stare at the people who are talking to me. Most of them then respond with "ah, no vive aqui" (oh, you don't live here). That being said, the Barranquillerans are very patient and try very hard to help us learn and understand.
Now, don't get me wrong, I am improving, particularly in understanding the Costenos. I just can't reply!
Language is regional:
The other thing I find interesting is accents. Why do some people pick them up so much quicker than others? When I studied in France, I was able to modify my words to be more "French" French. Yet in England, I couldn't put on a British accent for the life of me! And then there's my brother, who can spend 2 days with someone and start talking like them and had many of his high school football team believing our family had moved from India!
Language can be sneaky:
Even if I'm rubbish at accents, it seems I subconsciously pickup words when living and traveling. Sneaky sneaky words! It's only when someone calls you on it that you realize what's happened! Or, trying to do my days of the week in Spanish, suddenly, my one semester of Italian is interfering! I haven't taken/spoken Italian in 7 years!
Language can be confusing:
Especially words that sound like one thing in English or French, but then are not! For me, I usually default to French when I am traveling and don't know the language. Unfortunately, though French and Spanish are similar in their structure, there are some words that are nothing alike, and my guesses end up causing confusion.
The long and the short of this is that language is absolutely fascinating, tricky, terrifying and necessary. I enjoy languages, and their origins. This is not my best writing, but if I let it sit, it will never get finished.
Hasta luego.
Language can be tough:
I always find it so exciting to be in a place where I have to make an effort to understand and be understood. Exciting but tiring!I also find it very interesting how quickly some people can pick up a language. Some of the other North American teachers, who knew very little Spanish when they arrived, are excelling amazingly well. If I'm honest, I am a bit jealous of them! I am usually pretty good, but I think my brain is on overload here. I was expecting myself to be more fluent, given that in Spain, in one month, I was reasonably able to discuss biochemistry... I guess it is a case made for immersion! In Spain, I was going to school in Spanish, where as here, I can go most of the day only in English. Or I have to let go of my fear of making mistakes...
Language is understanding:
I really should try to find some motivation, so that I don't always have a blank look on my face, though! It is tough too, because I look like I should speak Spanish in some form or another, and then I just stare at the people who are talking to me. Most of them then respond with "ah, no vive aqui" (oh, you don't live here). That being said, the Barranquillerans are very patient and try very hard to help us learn and understand.
Now, don't get me wrong, I am improving, particularly in understanding the Costenos. I just can't reply!
Language is regional:
The other thing I find interesting is accents. Why do some people pick them up so much quicker than others? When I studied in France, I was able to modify my words to be more "French" French. Yet in England, I couldn't put on a British accent for the life of me! And then there's my brother, who can spend 2 days with someone and start talking like them and had many of his high school football team believing our family had moved from India!
Language can be sneaky:
Even if I'm rubbish at accents, it seems I subconsciously pickup words when living and traveling. Sneaky sneaky words! It's only when someone calls you on it that you realize what's happened! Or, trying to do my days of the week in Spanish, suddenly, my one semester of Italian is interfering! I haven't taken/spoken Italian in 7 years!
Language can be confusing:
Especially words that sound like one thing in English or French, but then are not! For me, I usually default to French when I am traveling and don't know the language. Unfortunately, though French and Spanish are similar in their structure, there are some words that are nothing alike, and my guesses end up causing confusion.
The long and the short of this is that language is absolutely fascinating, tricky, terrifying and necessary. I enjoy languages, and their origins. This is not my best writing, but if I let it sit, it will never get finished.
Hasta luego.
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