karon33

I completely agree with our Admin on the harshness of the German language. To me it sounds like a very angry language when spoken even though it’s probably not to be perceived that way. I guess my issue is that to me the way the German language is expressed in the media or in films really doesn’t help the defense here. Anytime I have heard the German language, I think of hardships and lack of democracy. Maybe that’s just me getting the perception of the language or culture confused with what has been portrayed throughout history.

Well I am guilty of being an optimist and being very persistent in life so for myself, I will not say that learning a new language is difficult; but can be very challenging. When you have heard and lived a specific language all of your life, it can be challenging to switch the native tongue off to immerse yourself in another language. My problem is that with our nation being such a melting pot, it’s hard for me to decide which languages should I learn to keep myself current? I mean what common languages should a person know in order to at least survive these days? That’s what plagues my choices in learning new languages for me.

I am also very confused by the Chinese language as a whole. How do we comprehend the symbols as letters and then eventually turn them into words or sentences. To me the Chinese language comes with a lot of mystery and I have no idea where to start the learning process for that language. I am very interested in learning Chinese and Korean actually since that is what I see in my hometown a lot. I have often wanted to ask someone of Chinese descent what the best way a non-native can start learning the Chinese language. I hope I do not offend anyone in this forum with my lack of knowledge.

I am curious of many foreign languages but I have always found the French language to be so intriguing. Now when I think of the French language, I immediately think of the times with my great grandmother from Louisiana because that’s I first heard French being spoken. I realize that dialect she was speaking was nothing close to the origins of France but it still grabbed my attention. My great grandmother spoke the language so fast and my family would tell it was broken French but it often made me wonder of how the French language has evolved. Is there a wrong or a right way in expressing yourself in such a dialect when it’s been introduced in such an unknown manner? Could I take the way that my great grandmother spoke French to Paris, France and not be persecuted?

Spanish is a common language being spoken and it is quite mainstreamed into so many parts of our lives all over the world. When I first started learning Spanish years, I found that I could not learn the language without learning the Spanish culture as well. I would find myself going to Spanish restaurants and interacting more with my friends of Spanish descent in order to fully comprehend why the Spanish was so important. We are living in a time where it is mandatory to be at least bilingual in order to be somewhat successful in any career and the Spanish language is the common thread I think. The Spanish language has such a rich history than for me that I cannot help but to keep it in my life.

I just wanted to take the time to introduce myself to the forum and say hello to everyone. I am an African American wife and mom from East Texas, looking to re-learn the Spanish after several years of not speaking the language. I took Spanish all through school in Junior High as High School; and I was pretty good at it for a non-native speaker. I was comfortable with writing, translating, and speaking the Spanish language on a conversational level. I was using my Spanish skills as a Teacher’s Aide for several years and then when I changed careers, I stopped indulging the language as much as I used. Now I am looking to jump back into the full immersion of the Spanish language and the culture for so many passionate reasons.