Language learning is my most idealistic hobby. I often refer to polyglotism as a real life super power. For as long as I have been conscious of the differences in ways people communicate, I have tried and tried to emulate the sounds and mannerisms that produce such effects. I was famously the first to lose my Nigerian accent, for better or worse, when my family immigrated to the United States in 2005. I picked up Standard American English at that time, and later adopted African American English Vernacular through socialization. Along with my native Standard West African English, my extremely novice Korean, and somewhat less, but still nevertheless, novice French, what I have enjoyed most about language learning is the way it allows me to adapt to my environment.
Yes, learning languages has allowed me to adapt to new environments. However, language learning has also caused me to stick out, not like a rose rising from concrete, but like a sore, pus infected nail on a hand model's finger. This is all to say that what I dislike most about language learning is the amount of time it takes, and further how unattainable any fluency let alone the desire for native levels of fluency can often be. Even today, 15 years after immigrating, people point out knicks in the way I say certain things. Also juggling the different connotations words have in all the types of English I speak and further the code switching at times required both inter and intra the languages at times becomes socially exhausting.
I am by nature a perfectionist. Which is a nice way of saying I am impatient. I am impatient. So much so that the prospect of not completing tasks well in a succinct amount of time is enough to discourage me from ever making an attempt. My parents speak Etche, and Ikwerre which are to Igbo not quite in the same way Farsi is to Dari, but not quite in the same way Portuguese is to Spanish. Etche and Ikwerre, per my understanding, are not quite as similar as most dialects but are, for most speakers, mutually intelligible. There are even more nuances within each language’s own regional dialects. Understanding what these languages are is in itself, a gargantuan task. Trying to find a starting point for learning Igbo or Etche or Ikwerre without the intuitive understanding of their key differences most native speakers have often leads to gibberish. The task becomes even more daunting when the native speakers are my family and close friends who lack the reservations about sharing harsh criticisms more distant friends and teachers may have. However, I am quickly getting over the fear of spewing gibberish and receiving criticism.
As I begin pursuing languages not directly related to my immediate environment or heritage, failing is becoming a lot more manageable. I have found that the best way for me to learn is simply to do. The multiple intelligences and learning style surveys confirms this. I have been flagged as a tactile learner with my top three intelligences being in language, social situations and self. The FIRE model is a bit too structured for my naturally impulsive way of learning however there are a few aspects of the chart that I believe may be beneficial in my language learning journey and I enjoy having a gauge for what concrete approaches most appeal to me. I believe the best way to expand my learning activities will be to regularly schedule activities that involve executing concrete tasks. For example filming a video speaking my target language every other week, reviewing media I enjoy, and so on. I look forward to applying these methods as naturally as possible, as the goal, albeit a bit unrealistic, is to speak the languages I learn as naturally as I can manage, gibberish and all.
Comments
Peace,
I totally agree with your point on how language helps you adapt to your environment. It's almost crazy to see how being bilingual, or trilingual just opens up another world for you to explore. It's amazing that you are so passionate about learning multiple languages- best of luck to you!
I agree with your point about language learning being a slow, difficult process. Attaining fluency is especially tricky since our points of articulation are already accustomed to our native languages. Even though I grew up hearing Korean from my parents, my pronunciation is still not the best.