I have always loved and been fascinated by languages. Even while in high school I wanted to translate French novels into English (in this case, Camus). Later I became fascinated with German - I had a German girlfriend at the time, and wanted to be able to converse with her as well in German as she could talk to me in English. I also felt a challenge since many people told me that German was “too hard”. I didn’t believe them and set out to learn the language well enough to be able to rely solely on it when traveling to Germany or Switzerland. At one time I even wanted to read Thomas Mann’s “Der Zauberberg” ("The Magic Mountain") in its original German (but later realized that this was perhaps beyond what I really wanted to do - and that was to be able to carry on a conversation about almost anything ...).
I believe that languages are, in a sense, windows to our souls, as that is how we express ourselves to others and to the world beyond gestures and body language. In a sense I feel left out if someone else I interact with can speak a language that I either don’t understand well or perhaps not at all. My latest challenge is learning Chinese. I don’t expect to become proficient easily but at least be able to have a simple conversation. I am taking the first in a series of Chinese classes at a local community college.
Likewise my friend Belle speaks Dutch (actually Flemish, but close enough ...). Another challenge. Her English is very good and there is no need whatsoever for me to learn any Dutch at all. But that’s not the point; I want to be on at least somewhat of an even keel, so ideally a conversation could happen in either English or Dutch without missing a step. I’ve come close to that in German, and similarities in vocabulary and grammar will hopefully make this task easier - certainly easier than Chinese! Unlike the Chinese class this is entirely a “home” project with no classes, schedules or deadlines, though I did find a jovial Dutch colleague at work with whom I can practice when I begin to become a bit proficient.
I learned German basically by endless self-drilling of grammar and vocabulary. This (at least for me) is the way to transform oneself from merely a “parrot” to a true speaker of the language. Its also a nice mental challenge and a way to keep the mind sharp! Now two new languages to learn!
Tof! Spass!
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