I’ve “learned” three languages aside from English over the years, and even when I’ve traveled to areas in the world that predominantly speak that language, English is so ubiquitous that it really didn’t matter if I knew it or not.
I’m essentially monolingual again, even though I can understand bits and pieces if necessary.
Yes, well, the world isn’t quantified into “mine” and “different”, “different” can be separated into “redder”, “bluer”, “colder”, “warmer”, “more random” and “more ordered”, “more scarred” and “more solid”, “softer” and “harder” and so on.
You are simply much more limited if you only know one language. This would seem to be obvious, I don’t get all the attempts to argue.
Yes, born in a country speaking world’s default language you have had fewer incentives to learn others, so in some sense you’ve been unlucky. Too bad, that doesn’t mean you should punish yourself by not fixing that.
While I’m in theory limited, there are more things to do in life than study other cultures. I have a todo list that I honestly expect it would take me 3000 years to get to the end of. (I doubt medical science will give me anywhere near that long to live). That I can’t learn about some culture in depth because I haven’t learned the language yet - well learning their language is something I’ll get around to when I’m 1000 years old.
I grew up in a household of my parents language, but speak predominately English. I also know enough French to navigate Quebec, and with a week, can remember enough Spanish from HS to go to Mexico. I learned bits of Russian and Chinese to speak to my coworkers, not enough to be dropped in a town and survive though.
And honestly, even after all of that… I rather people speak one language. And study international studies/geography and history.
Technology will reach a point where translations are near fluid. Traveling to Japan, I winged it with studying Japanese where my wife took courses, and we both ended up navigating in English and using Google translate, with very little hiccups.
I’m not sure how much of this has changed since I was a kid, but when I was in high school we had 4 years of Spanish and French, but only one year of either one was mandatory. Most kids in my school ended up just taking a year of Spanish as a freshman, and only those who actually wanted to learn another language elected for the remaining years.
Language education evolved from Greek and Latin lessons designed to get you I to college which required them because in the rennesance reading classical texts was important and the ability to was essential and it persisted for hundreds of years. Because of this speaking wasn’t a part if the pedagogy and is kinda tacked on in modern language ed
I’m sure the quality of the curriculum varies greatly as education is largely controlled at the local level. I had excellent Spanish instruction available to me. In the last couple years of high school you had to read books in the language, and we weren’t allowed to use English in class.
My jr high required 1 semester of foreign language studies, and high school, 4 semesters. I think it also qualified as elective, so I was encouraged to take Spanish for all but my last year. I still understand a bit of conversation, but damn if I can carry a conversation after 30 years gap. It was rote memorization, so I can count to 15, and ask where the library is.
My high school teacher was also the math teacher. Old white male who has been to Mexico 3 times.
Every school I know requires two semesters and they don’t have to be the same language if that’s even an option. I’m in a heavy Spanish speaking part of the US too.
Which language?
Once I learn that language, how do I maintain it?
I’ve “learned” three languages aside from English over the years, and even when I’ve traveled to areas in the world that predominantly speak that language, English is so ubiquitous that it really didn’t matter if I knew it or not.
I’m essentially monolingual again, even though I can understand bits and pieces if necessary.
The way non-English speakers do it: watch content on the internet in that language, listen to podcasts or simply read things written on that language.
The internet it’s a great tool to learn and practice any language, in the same way that it’s a great way to learn English for the rest of us.
Why? There is more great content in english than I could ever watch. and far more garbage as well af course. I could learn a language, but why?
i’m okay with spanish, it did me no good when I was in germany.
Bigger pool of culture - easier to find good things to your taste.
Also cultures are different.
There are many different english speaking cultures ifithat is what you want.
Yes, well, the world isn’t quantified into “mine” and “different”, “different” can be separated into “redder”, “bluer”, “colder”, “warmer”, “more random” and “more ordered”, “more scarred” and “more solid”, “softer” and “harder” and so on.
You are simply much more limited if you only know one language. This would seem to be obvious, I don’t get all the attempts to argue.
Yes, born in a country speaking world’s default language you have had fewer incentives to learn others, so in some sense you’ve been unlucky. Too bad, that doesn’t mean you should punish yourself by not fixing that.
While I’m in theory limited, there are more things to do in life than study other cultures. I have a todo list that I honestly expect it would take me 3000 years to get to the end of. (I doubt medical science will give me anywhere near that long to live). That I can’t learn about some culture in depth because I haven’t learned the language yet - well learning their language is something I’ll get around to when I’m 1000 years old.
Go online, read books.
There are books never translated to English, poetry. Anyway, most translations are inferior to their originals.
Most people on the planet speak English to some degree, but the cultural heritage in other languages is mostly not available for English speakers.
This just makes you disadvantaged.
I grew up in a household of my parents language, but speak predominately English. I also know enough French to navigate Quebec, and with a week, can remember enough Spanish from HS to go to Mexico. I learned bits of Russian and Chinese to speak to my coworkers, not enough to be dropped in a town and survive though.
And honestly, even after all of that… I rather people speak one language. And study international studies/geography and history.
Technology will reach a point where translations are near fluid. Traveling to Japan, I winged it with studying Japanese where my wife took courses, and we both ended up navigating in English and using Google translate, with very little hiccups.
A large chunk of the population speaks Spanish yet it’s barely taught in schools
Every school I know of has four years of either French or Spanish.
I’ve never known a school that requires 4 years to graduate.
I’m not sure how much of this has changed since I was a kid, but when I was in high school we had 4 years of Spanish and French, but only one year of either one was mandatory. Most kids in my school ended up just taking a year of Spanish as a freshman, and only those who actually wanted to learn another language elected for the remaining years.
Yeah, but it’s rote memorization. It’s not immersive usage. So almost no American students retain anything from those years of study.
Language education evolved from Greek and Latin lessons designed to get you I to college which required them because in the rennesance reading classical texts was important and the ability to was essential and it persisted for hundreds of years. Because of this speaking wasn’t a part if the pedagogy and is kinda tacked on in modern language ed
What are you smoking?
Spanish classes are universally available Jr High and up.
Are they available to use the language or do they learn to count to 10 and how to order cheese?
I’m sure the quality of the curriculum varies greatly as education is largely controlled at the local level. I had excellent Spanish instruction available to me. In the last couple years of high school you had to read books in the language, and we weren’t allowed to use English in class.
My jr high required 1 semester of foreign language studies, and high school, 4 semesters. I think it also qualified as elective, so I was encouraged to take Spanish for all but my last year. I still understand a bit of conversation, but damn if I can carry a conversation after 30 years gap. It was rote memorization, so I can count to 15, and ask where the library is.
My high school teacher was also the math teacher. Old white male who has been to Mexico 3 times.
¿Donde esta la biblioteca?
Every school I know requires two semesters and they don’t have to be the same language if that’s even an option. I’m in a heavy Spanish speaking part of the US too.