3 ms·
i'm sure it does depend on the person, and the circumstances, but i am a little sceptical of the idea that you can consistently, every 3 - 4 years, learn a new
by andrewcooke 17y ago
i'm sure it does depend on the person, and the circumstances, but i am a little sceptical of the idea that you can consistently, every 3 - 4 years, learn a new language + culture to the point where you're, say, able to discuss politics in an informed way without offending people, or make a joke (that people laugh at!) at a party...
- gommm 17y agoIt depends, if you are in europe and learned foreign languages as a kid, it's entirely possible... Where I am now, in China and before Japan, indeed the language barrier is much higher and while I feel that I can speak well enough to both discuss politics and make jokes at a party (working in a company with no foreign speakers and talking in japanese all the time at home with my girlfriend helps). I'm still an illiterate and often feel the barrier of the language... But, that didn't stop me from having a sense of belonging there or, now that I don't live there, to be also sometimes a bit homesick toward Japan...
- xiaoma 17y ago3-4 years is a long time. Lots of foreigners here in Taiwan get to that point in half that time (though maybe they can't write Chinese by hand)