To Pick Up A Language
@arthurchappell (44998)
Preston, England
October 3, 2015 3:55am CST
Many people seem to learn a second language very easily, picking up words and phrases almost by osmosis. I struggle to retain information like that. I had to study German for a year at school, and even visited Germany on four occasions, twice for a fortnight at a time. I can only remember a handful of words and phrases. I can count to ten in German. (wow).
Others seem to master music just by listening to a few chords. I gave up trying to play the guitar after a few months of just making random noises and forgetting where my fingers were supposed to be for the next bit over and over again. I am not an instant learner and new languages are doomed to elude me forever.
Arthur Chappell
11 people like this
16 responses
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
3 Oct 15
I can pick up music fast, but I need to have music to read to do so at least. Language I struggle with, I have a cell app that was free that's like rosetta stone a bit, that I've worked on for almost a month, most people would be much further than me, but I'm terrible remembering languages, working on spanish atm
3 people like this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
3 Oct 15
@Jessicalynnt at least you are giving it a go which is half the battle
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
3 Oct 15
@arthurchappell its a fun little cell app called duolingo. that helps, it being fun and all
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
3 Oct 15
@arthurchappell if I get good out here I can get paid more if I can speak and write spanish, but that will be a long time, sadly
1 person likes this
@kataomoi (708)
• Japan
3 Oct 15
In the end, I think it depends on your dedication and interest. I'm very interested in learning languages so I pick up languages easier. If there's a foreign word I see but don't know, I look it up and find out where it's from and what it means. For those who don't really have an interest in learning languages, it'll never stick with them.
3 people like this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
3 Oct 15
I am interested in foreign words but I forget them very easily. It's not information I retain easily. Great for you that you can do it.
@owstalaga (4707)
• Philippines
5 Oct 15
Yes that's true. And it's also got something to do with time. If you don't have the time or find the time to study then you won't be able to learn as much as you'd like.
@pauliek (287)
• Udon Thani, Thailand
9 Feb 16
&kataomi , What you say about dedication is so very true. You must be motivated to learn another language by some reward of being able to communicate with a loved one or being able to get a job using the foreign language.
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
9 Feb 16
I just had a friend phone to sing happy birthday to me in Dutch - a language I never knew she knew until now
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
3 Oct 15
It is as Malu says good to learn when you are young, I taught my daughter to speak French from an early age. She is now quite fluent and is grateful I did. She used to hate it at one stage when she was around 9 years old but always replied to me but in English. I would dearly love to learn Italian something I intend to do when I retire!
2 people like this
@pauliek (287)
• Udon Thani, Thailand
9 Feb 16
@garymarsh6 , Why are you interested in learning Italian?
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
9 Feb 16
@pauliek Because I love Italy and would like to be able to speak Italian when I visit Italy.
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
3 Oct 15
@arthurchappell Hmm a few years yet but I do have the intention to learn it.
1 person likes this
@Ragnarok8 (196)
• Davao, Philippines
3 Oct 15
Still learning english. Don't worry I'm trying. Lol
2 people like this
@Ragnarok8 (196)
• Davao, Philippines
3 Oct 15
@arthurchappell thanks sir. I appreciate it. 
I need more push
I need more push1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
3 Oct 15
@Ragnarok8 interacting on sites like this is perfect for studying English
2 people like this
@allknowing (137781)
• India
3 Oct 15
You have a station in life and whatever that is you sure have reached there by learning. There is not everything one can learn
2 people like this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
3 Oct 15
Languages that are latin based seem to be easier for me to catch on. Even so, I don't seem to retain as much as I used to. When I was in my late teens and early 20s the Spanish language came to me so easily but now, while I can read it and somewhat understand it, I couldn't give you a full sentence.
I know a few things in Dutch, Italian, Spanish, French, Sign Language.
2 people like this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
3 Oct 15
I like dictionaries and encyclopaedia reference works too. I have several
@Mukundrao (49)
• Mumbai, India
3 Oct 15
Everyday exposure to the language is necessary.You must use it frequently.It may be difficult to master a language in classroom.
1 person likes this
@OneOfMany (12150)
• United States
3 Oct 15
I pick up things but I don't speak a second language. I can speak/read some French, I know some German (can count to 100 easily), I can understand some Japanese sentences and words, know a few words in Spanish, and I used to be able to read what Korean symbols say, but I have no idea what words they mean.
When I was over in France on my school trip I absorbed sentences just by being in the country, speaking French that my teacher was shocked to hear (that it was correct and advanced, it wasn't dirty). She was amazed because she never taught us that. Of course, I was 16 at the time, and when you are young you pick things up quickly.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
3 Oct 15
I have always considered a language easier to learn if you are in a country where that language is spoken, otherwise it can be quite difficult.
For example, I was taught Spanish for a few years at school. They would provide me with words such as Abierto for Open and Cerrado for Closed, but a week later it was hard to remember which was which. Had I been in Spain at the time I would have seen those words displayed in shop windows and doors at the appropriate time of day, thus embedding the meanings into my mind quite easily.
1 person likes this
