01-06-2007, 06:47 PM
Years ago, I learned Hochdeutsch in American schools (with native Frisian, Pomeranian, and Prussian teachers). Later, I learned Bairisch and Plattdeutsch when living and working in Germany for three years. During those years, my spouse & I traveled to Belgium and the Netherlands several times, and I also worked with Dutch and Belgians in Germany, so I started reading Hollands and Vlaams. My departed Grandmother (Swedish) read and spoke some Svenska.
Similarly, I first learned Spanish (Castillian) in American schools, then Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Venezuelan dialects from publications and from people with whom I worked and lived over the years. This made it easier for me to learn basic French, Italian, and Latin.
Since all of these languages use the Latin alphabet, and many Latin-derived words, it makes it easier for me to learn each related language by: (1) learning how native speakers pronounce their languages' words; (2) recalling similarly pronounced words in closely-related languages, which may have the same or similar meaning; and (3) considering word order, context, etc.
However, reading and listening other languages is generally much easier than speaking of writing in those languages! You would roll on the floor laughing if you had heard some of my bigger linguistic mistakes! :lol: Fortunately, the listeners smiled (rather than feel offended) and they correctly repeated what they thought I meant to say. That approach helps me the most to learn from my mistakes. Practice, practice, practice!
Similarly, I first learned Spanish (Castillian) in American schools, then Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Venezuelan dialects from publications and from people with whom I worked and lived over the years. This made it easier for me to learn basic French, Italian, and Latin.
Since all of these languages use the Latin alphabet, and many Latin-derived words, it makes it easier for me to learn each related language by: (1) learning how native speakers pronounce their languages' words; (2) recalling similarly pronounced words in closely-related languages, which may have the same or similar meaning; and (3) considering word order, context, etc.
However, reading and listening other languages is generally much easier than speaking of writing in those languages! You would roll on the floor laughing if you had heard some of my bigger linguistic mistakes! :lol: Fortunately, the listeners smiled (rather than feel offended) and they correctly repeated what they thought I meant to say. That approach helps me the most to learn from my mistakes. Practice, practice, practice!
AMDG
Wm. / *r
Wm. / *r
