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Having taken a Masters in Linguistics, and learned 3 languages besides my native one, I'd say that 1, 3 + 4 are basically the key to learning any language. It
by phuff 16y ago
Having taken a Masters in Linguistics, and learned 3 languages besides my native one, I'd say that 1, 3 + 4 are basically the key to learning any language. It really is "Use it or lose it" when it comes to learning a new language.
- DrJokepu 16y agoI believe 2 (building up a vocabulary) is quite important as well; I know many people with good vocal English skills but very poor vocabulary and it can be hard to have a meaningful casual conversation with them because they simply don't understand the subtle differences in meaning between synonyms or even worse, don't even know them. Which makes it hard to express complex ideas or emotions. And it gets even worse when they (non-native English speakers) speak to English people who instinctively try to use their usual English humour and then feel confused because their conversation partner doesn't get or misunderstand what they're trying to express.
- parktheredcar 16y agoWould you say you're a rare case, as far as learning three languages? Many that pursue linguistics seem offended when asked how many languages they speak.
- phuff 16y agoNo, I learned them a long time before I did linguistics, in the course of other non-linguistics pursuits. I got into linguistics later on because of the computational linguistics angle.
- parktheredcar 16y agoAh, I see. That's why it interests me, too.
- bluesmoon 16y agoKids in India typically grow up speaking at least 3 languages, and sometimes 4 or 5. My grandmother spoke 6 languages. Most common would be Hindi, and one or two regional languages, and possibly English. In the south it's more likely to be Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu or Kannada instead of Hindi, but there are others too. As you grow up you end up learning more languages at least at a comprehension level because you travel around for work.
- phuff 16y agoOh I misread the question! You're asking if it's rare for linguists to learn 3 languages? I dunno. But I think linguists who get offended if people ask them that are kinda of silly...
- parktheredcar 16y agoYeah not necessarily rare (my mistake) but just if any of your peers feel the same way about it- It does seem kind of silly, but I guess its similar to assuming someone with a degree in CS has one in Maths as well? Who knows...