Warning. I’m going to rant about language learning now. I’m climbing up on my soapbox and because it’s the internet you can’t get me down, so beware.
I’ve been thinking about language learning a lot the past few weeks, mostly because I’m swimming in grammar at the moment. And I keep pondering the classic complaint, “Why don’t people who live in America just learn to speak English?” I’ve heard this more than once, from people I respect. Freshly returned from Korea, my first reaction was to snap, “Yeah? Try it!” But I realized I'd be falling prey to the holier-than-thou ‘tude travelers can get (You know what I’m talking about. “Hi, nice to meet you-- so, I’ve been to 46 countries." It’s like freshman year when people make a point of mentioning their perfect SAT score). So, I bite my tongue and try to reflect upon why I haven’t really learned the languages in the places I’ve lived.
It’s effing hard. I know-- “Thank you Kerk, for that stunning observation.” But sometimes I forget that simply being in a new place does not mean magical language acquisition. Sure, immersion works but only if you work atit. Once I learn introductions and the 3B’s (beer, bus, bathroom) I tend to get a little lazy. I subconsciously justify, “I’ve made it around okay thus far, do I really need to learn more?" And English is especially ridiculous- Read, read, and red? Really?
Panic! at the Disco Or you, know….everywhere. Take my first trip to the grocery store in Buenos Aires. I watched the register carefully so I would be prepared, but when the cashier asked me if I had a smaller bill I got flustered and whispered… “No Espanol, lo siento…”
I was afraid to speak. Me-- who doesn’t shut up, even asleep. I know the words. I’ve known them for years. But when I have to say them, I lower my voice, whisper into my shoulder and stutter (as if speaking quietly makes it ‘less wrong?’) Basically, I do everything that is counter intuitive for effective communication! I become paralyzed by doubt-- sure, I can talk to the mirror with confidence but real life conversations leave me sweating. And once your pride gets ruffled, you mentally check out and decide it's better not even to try.
I was afraid to speak. Me-- who doesn’t shut up, even asleep. I know the words. I’ve known them for years. But when I have to say them, I lower my voice, whisper into my shoulder and stutter (as if speaking quietly makes it ‘less wrong?’) Basically, I do everything that is counter intuitive for effective communication! I become paralyzed by doubt-- sure, I can talk to the mirror with confidence but real life conversations leave me sweating. And once your pride gets ruffled, you mentally check out and decide it's better not even to try.
It’s exhausting. I have a hard enough time expressing what I want to say in English. I think back on any doctor’s visit-- “Um, my leg started hurting- not really hurting but more like a tingling feeling- and it’s in my calf...um...but sometimes I feel it in the top of my foot..." Creating coherent thoughts, making yourself understood, speaking effectively-- certainly not easy tasks even when you don't have to translate. My good friend at CCM recently made an excellent point about her time overseas-- “You spend the whole day just trying to speak, and you are mentally exhausted. Sometimes the other English speakers and I would go off to speak English for awhile so we didn’t have to think about everything little thing. When you spend the whole day feeling like you don’t understand, you need validation that you're still capable!”
Going along with this: You seek out your language. When I moved to Korea, I immediately gravitated to English. All my friends, Korean and foreigners alike, were English speakers, I went to foreigner bars, subscribed to the English newspapers. When I returned to Chicago, I had a much greater understanding and appreciation of the various neighborhoods- Greek, Polish, Puerto Rican, Chinese. Not even taking into account cultural preservation, you simply need a place where basic communication is not a constant effort.
Words? Who needs 'em? I don’t want to admit some of the things I’ve mimed, though an instance involving a plunger comes to mind… Gesturing, drawing, miming-- I’ve done it all and usually meaning comes across just fine. This probably wouldn’t work if I was a picky eater, but I have done pretty well pointing at other people’s plates thus far.
Fortunately, in my travels people have been understanding, helpful, and allowed me to learn as I go. I need to remember this every day before I walk in a classroom, and strive to be as understanding and patient a teacher as others have been for me. And maybe learn the word for 'plunger' this time around…
Love from,
Kerk