I was reminded again yesterday as to how we often think of speaking a foreign language in binary terms. That is, you speak Greek or you don’t. You know Russian or you don’t.
It’s funny that we do that, because any of us who have taken a year or two of a foreign language knows that language ability is a sliding scale, not a yes/no question. It’s not whether or not I speak German, but how well. Being able to say “Nein” doesn’t qualify me as a German speaker.
Years ago, the singing group Acappella wanted to bring out an album in Spanish. They got someone who “knows Spanish” to translate their songs. Unfortunately, this person apparently didn’t know enough to admit that they didn’t know enough, and the translations are abysmal. At least two of the songs have serious mistakes in the title, one of them containing a word which doesn’t even exist in Spanish! It’s really unfortunate, because the singers themselves did an excellent job with the pronunciation.
I guess the learning of just about anything is that way. Is there a subject where you can say that you have learned it completely? In terms of language, there are still nuances of English that surprise me, aspects of the grammar that native speakers regularly get wrong.
I should draw some deep philosophical point at this time, but I really don’t have one. For me personally, these things remind me that I need to learn humility. And I need to have the wisdom to not present myself as an expert when I’m not one.
Any thoughts?
http://patrickmead.net/2010/10/25/the-book-part-6-hidden-history/
Have you kept up at all with Patrick’s retelling of how we got the Bible? It seems that Tyndale had to invent rules of grammar for English while on the run, b/c English was such a scattered and local collection of dialects at the time. So it doesn’t surprise me that you are consistently surprised by English – it is like the virus of languages, really complicated but insanely adaptable and capable of overwhelming other languages.
I wonder, though, if the history of the English language suggests that the native speakers are getting the grammar wrong, or if the grammar didn’t take those speakers into account when it was developed?
Either way, the point on humility is well-made. I revel in learning new things from the Scriptures, about their language and the words used there, fully knowing I’ll never have a corner on such knowledge.
The first time I went to Brazil on a two-month short-term trip, the leader, who had been a missionary in Brazil for 8 years, insisted that if we spoke any Portuguese, then we “spoke Portuguese.” Obviously, knowing how to say “hello,” “goodbye” and “Where’s the bathroom?” don’t represent fluency, but they are something. A lot seems to be attitude and willingness to communicate.
While living in Uganda for 8 years, I mainly spoke English and learned a smattering of the local tribal language. I lived in the capitol, Kampala, where so many different languages converge due to the presence of so many refugees from surrounding countries. I spoke French to those who speak French because I knew enough to get by. They would tell me that I spoke well, but I knew I didn’t really. They just also didn’t speak it that well. They would also tell me that English is an easy language to learn because you can be understood even if you get the grammar or pronunciation wrong. English is a very forgiving language.
Nick,
No, I hadn’t seen any of that series. I read the last few posts; very interesting!
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
Adam,
I find it better to understate your skills and let the people be pleasantly surprised than to give them undue expectations. I enjoy speaking English overseas with people who recognize their limitations. I despise trying to have a conversation with someone who doesn’t realize they don’t speak well.
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
Darla,
I’ve noticed, though, that people seem to take some pride in considering their language to be especially difficult. I’m guessing there is some sense of: “Look how smart I am. I speak a difficult language.” All languages have about the same degree of difficulty, which is why all children learn to speak at approximately the same age. What makes one or another more difficult for us to learn is the distance from our native language.
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
I am reminded of a quote that I have on my board — “It is not what you say, it is what others hear”. How well we know any language may be determined by how well others can hear and understand us in that language.