Thread: Learning a new Language?

Very soon I am hoping to begin my third language with beginning Japanese. In a way it's sort of intimidating as it is a completely different writing style and speech pattern than the Latin and Germanic languages.

I was wondering if anyone is anyone currently learning a new language or acquiring one through life immersion (via work, school, friendship, etc)? If so, for how long and how is it working out? Is it harder than you thought or easier?

Originally Posted by emptypepsi

Very soon I am hoping to begin my third language with beginning Japanese. In a way it's sort of intimidating as it is a completely different writing style and speech pattern than the Latin and Germanic languages.

I was wondering if anyone is anyone currently learning a new language or acquiring one through life immersion (via work, school, friendship, etc)? If so, for how long and how is it working out? Is it harder than you thought or easier?

I'm taking classes for Arabic, it's not impossible, but definitely much harder than the Spanish I took in high school.

What other language do you speak?

I'm learning german, but I'm not good with grammar in general so my writing is pretty terrible. I can hold a conversation pretty well and I have picked up on the different dialects so it could be worse.

I'm hoping to learn Italian, Russian, and maybe a little Spanish at some point too.

@ Tree Hugger, I speak Spanish. I've met a couple of people who are learning Arabic and Persian (respectively) and the most commonly voiced thing from them is that "just when you are at the point of pulling your hair out over it, that's when it clicks." lol Are you learning it in school or teaching yourself?

mpd, I someday may go and attempt Italian as well. I'm told it's somewhat easier to learn it once you know Spanish. I heard German is one of the most infamous in terms of all the different tenses to know. Though I usppose it would be interesting to learn as it is the stem of which English came.

@ emptypepsi, I should have guessed that from your signature! I've learned some from taking informal lessons from a neighbor, but I'll start taking true Arabic classes when I go back to college in the fall.

Originally Posted by emptypepsi

mpd, I someday may go and attempt Italian as well. I'm told it's somewhat easier to learn it once you know Spanish.

I have studied Italian and Spanish (I was fluent in Spanish when I studied Italian). It's very easy to pick up Italian when you speak Spanish, but now that I haven't practiced with either one in years, I find that it's quite easy for me to confuse the two. They are similar enough that if you spoke Spanish in Italy, you would probably be able to communicate with limited effectiveness.

That's cool. Is learning Arabic going to coincide with what your major is (or will be?) From what I gather from reading, I figure Arabic is going to be the new Russian (as far as PolSci) or Spanish (culturally speaking), in that it's going to be a big step up for you when you learn it. I guess to put it more succint, it is going to be a new 'doorway' language.

Originally Posted by drgoodtrips

I have studied Italian and Spanish (I was fluent in Spanish when I studied Italian). It's very easy to pick up Italian when you speak Spanish, but now that I haven't practiced with either one in years, I find that it's quite easy for me to confuse the two. They are similar enough that if you spoke Spanish in Italy, you would probably be able to communicate with limited effectiveness.

Ay! Did you study those in school or independently? I'm thinking if I ever get around to Italian (after Japanese that is, who knows how long that'll take ) that I will just teach myself, so I sure hope it's easier.

Originally Posted by emptypepsi

Ay! Did you study those in school or independently? I'm thinking if I ever get around to Italian (after Japanese that is, who knows how long that'll take ) that I will just teach myself, so I sure hope it's easier.

I studied both in a classroom setting - Spanish for 7 years, Italian for about a year (I was never fluent, though I could communicate).

I'm taking Gemran as my Modern Language requirement, It looks like it could work out. Fun language.

Ben