Foreign language – Writing Wrongs

We had a lovely week of false spring, topping out at 72 degrees or so. Now, of course, it’s 18 degrees, but at least it’s sunny today. But while it was warm, I took long walks and went out and about in that extra hour of sunshine. Lots of other people were out as well, and we all seemed very happy, tipping our faces toward the sun and letting out a long breath.

Spring in Minnesota is like that.

I also went down several research rabbit holes this week and decided to pick up with language learning again. Low-key, self-paced language learning, which I’m finding I enjoy a lot more than the classroom setting (whether in real life or online).

I decided on Italian (for reasons), and I’m using Duolingo, supplemented by a grammar book and the podcast Coffee Break Italian. It helps that I’ve already studied German, Russian, and a little French. So my brain understands things like: oh, irregular verb, or oh, that’s the plural, without much conscious thought.

Yes, this makes learning a new language easier. It’s also nice to use this part of my brain again. It’s like it’s also waking up along with spring.

Bloganuary: What language do you wish you could speak?

Sigh. I wish I could speak the ones I’ve actually studied.

Over the years, I’ve studied German, Russian (my college major), a smattering of French (high school), and even a little Swedish.

But studying languages does not mean they can come out of my mouth. While stationed in Germany, I even took a beginning Russian class taught at the German equivalent of a community center.

Fortunately, the instructor also spoke English, which was handy for when I got stuck, which I invariably did. Two foreign languages at once? I don’t think my brain has hurt so much before or since.

I never had any issues with reading in a foreign language. My listening comprehension was adequate. Ask me to talk?

Then, it’s all over.

I visited Russia near the end of my tour overseas. When I returned to Germany, every time I attempted German, it came out as a strange mishmash of Russian and German. It was so bad that the locals looked alarmed every time I spoke.

Even ordering dinner was fraught.

So there you have it. I would dearly love to speak a foreign language.