- Learning Journal 14: Summarize your work this semester, the progress you made and the difficulties you encountered.
This semester’s been really interesting and tough! It was really cool to be able to try and tackle a language which which I am familiar, but still feels so foreign. I discovered that in many ways Sanskrit is more similar to English that learning a language of a different origin (like Sino-Tibetan). I discovered/confirmed that Sanskrit is still really similar to Nepali and I was able to expand my vocabulary in both languages. Overall I immensely expanded my vocabulary, have a grasp of noun declension, increased my cultural knowledge, and expanded my yoga undertakings. I think my format of focusing on both grammar and traditional structure and also yoga vocabulary has been really impactful for me. Sanskrit studies are increasing as Westerners become more interested in yoga practice, and I succeeded in being more able to understand the culture and meaning behind these mantras, aasanas (poses), and general spiritual terms. I found some of the grammar pretty difficult, and I still feel like I have so much to learn. The noun declension was really hard since I’ve never had to study a language with that structure before. The sandhi/vowel agreement rules are also difficult and sometimes when I’m writing my own sentences I slip up. Overall though, it’s been fun and meaningful and I will definitely continue my Sanskrit studies!
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