Prompt, (a quote from Thomas Huxley):
Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.
~~~oOo~~~
I like languages.
I've had five years of French classes and once took French, German and Russian at the same time.
One of my French professors asked if I had ever studied Spanish (I had not) because apparently I was speaking French with a Castilian accent.
My most unique language-learning experience was my first Russian course ... which was taught in German.
You see, my mother was born in Switzerland and was bi-lingual in German and French.
Unfortunately, due to passage of time and lack of practice, now I only speak English (with a strong Appalachian accent).
Unfortunately, I too, lost my French. I took four years of it. Small town high school. Had to share the language lab with French I & II my 3rd and 4th years. So my spoken French never progressed past that level. I was the only person to take French IV, so I spent that year translating a book from French to English. It served me well in college, as so much of the literature we read had French passages or phrases. And in my 1st job post college, as I invoiced plywood and we exported it to France. But I've had no requirement to use it since the early 80's and neglected to try to continue to read in French, and so, it is lost. What a shame.
ReplyDeleteLife & Faith in Caneyhead
I feel ya on that, Barbara. I'd like to slap myself upside the head for letting all my languages slide. *sigh*
DeleteWow! That's quite a lot of languages you know, LuAnn! And that's one creative take on the prompt! So very impressive! :)
ReplyDeletePS : I am struggling with it :P
Thank you, Shilpa. I wish I would have kept the languages. Ah, but that is an education in itself.
DeleteWhat an adventure! Knowing so many languages must be great for you! Good luck with your experiences :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting, Esha! May your path be smooth too!
DeleteI don't think any language learning experience is a waste, LuAnn. If nothing else, it keeps our mind sharp! I have tried learning Spanish for a brief time, must continue that.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I'll get inspired to regain my languages, Corinne! My husband is quite a fan of the Rosetta Stone programs.
DeleteI think I would like to hear your Appalachian accent, LuAnn. lol. I loved Thomas Huxley's quote -- "Try to learn something about everything and everything about something."
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FictionZeal - Impartial, Straightforward Fiction Book Reviews
Two big giveaways for someone from Kentucky, Diane? Saying you'uns i/o y'all, and "It's LOU-uh-vull, not LOU-ISS-VILLE." :O)
DeleteI thought I had commented on this post, LuAnn.
ReplyDeleteI'm so impressed with your multi-lingual skills. I don't think any language learning really goes away - it gets embedded some place and can be recalled for use! :)
You had, Corinne. I was just behind in my moderating comments. Sorry. :/
DeleteIt is never too late to relearn a language! I got my mother hooked on Duolingo at the age of 65 - she thought she would never be able to speak English, and now I get weekly e-mails from her telling me how well she is doing! Maybe someday you will go back to French or German, possibly with your kids :)
ReplyDeleteIt is never too late to relearn a language! I got my mother hooked on Duolingo at the age of 65 - she thought she would never be able to speak English, and now I get weekly e-mails from her telling me how well she is doing! Maybe someday you will go back to French or German, possibly with your kids :)
ReplyDeleteI took many years of German and did some intensive summer study, so way back when I was relatively fluent. Then I went to college and took some Italian. I only lasted a semester. Every time I was called on, I started out well answering in Italian....but somehow, by the time I got to the end of the sentence, I was speaking German! I'm trying Italian again though, this time through Mango.
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