Learning A Foreign Languague - I’m not a natural at foreign languages so I have to work quite hard at them. Some people have a knack for them and pick them up easily. I learned French at school and was surprised at how much I had retained, when I went on vacation to France. I’ve dabbled at Spanish and Italian but not got very far. Learning a foreign language does seem difficult for us Brits, or is it just that we’re lazy I have to admit that British tourists do expect everyone to speak English wherever they go. They seem to forget that the older generation and those people in rural areas will not necessarily speak English or may just know the basics.
Some languages are easier than others of course. I can’t imagine ever mastering Russian or Mandarin. If learning a foreign language means using the alphabet I’m used to, then I’m off to a better start. When I go on vacation, I do at least try to speak some basic phrases. People are generally pleased that you’ve tried to speak their language, even if you do it badly. On a recent trip to Japan, I found the Japanese very friendly and eager to help. They beamed when my husband and I spoke to them in Japanese. We were staying with an English friend who lives in Tokyo and he introduced us to his Japanese friends. They are happy learning a foreign language, especially English but are very nervous about trying it out in front of British people because they are shy and hate being embarrassed when they make a mistake.
Language is part of a country’s culture and I think it’s one of the most interesting differences we have. I’m glad Esperanto wasn’t taken up, it would be boring if we all spoke the same language. Learning a foreign language may be a hard challenge but it’s worthwhile. It’s not just a set of grammar rules or vocabulary. It’s part of poetry, literature, folklore and song. I’m glad to see that the Welsh language is being kept alive, with Welch being taught in schools, at least in North Wales. I wish the same could be said for Irish and Scottish Gaelic. When a country loses its language, it loses a part of its soul.
The Welsh experience is a good example of a small country determined to hang on to its unique culture. The latest Big Brother series in the UK showed two contestants happily conversing in Welch. Some years ago, the Super Furry Animals, a successful Welsh indie band, took a bold step and released an album entirely in Welch. That inspired me to carry on learning a foreign language. I think I’ll have a go at German.
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