That’s mostly true, though I do have an affinity for a few languages more than others. I love the spoken and written word in English, my native language, but I’m also drawn to French, Russian and Portuguese. And how can I leave out Italian when I love Italian food and Puccini operas so much? I can’t.
For me each language is a portal to an exotic, mysterious way of life so different from my own. Over the years I’ve studied several foreign languages, but fluency in any has eluded me. There’s a well-known joke in international circles that goes like this:
“What do you call someone who can speak many languages?”
Answer: Multilingual.
“What do you call someone who can speak three languages?”
Answer: Trilingual.
“What do you call someone who can speak two languages?”
Answer: Bilingual.
“What do you call someone who can speak one language?”
Answer: American!
Yikes. I never wanted to be that person. So I’ve learned a few basic phrases for various situations I might encounter when traveling to other countries, such as meeting and greeting others, learning how to ask where the nearest bathroom is, how to order in restaurants, and what to do in case of emergencies.
Of course, a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. When visiting Paris, I stood in line next to a “Tours” sign outside Notre Dame Cathedral, planning to learn from an authoritative guide to enhance the educational value of my visit. I did think it was odd when the single line started climbing up, up and away, without a tour guide in sight, until we reached the top of the cathedral where several gargoyles were poised to greet us outside. Only later did I discover that “tours” in French means “towers.” Oh.
Reflecting back on that experience, I’ve decided the time has come to brush the dust off my French language books and tackle the language one more time. The question is: can we Baby Boomers truly master a second language at our advanced age?
Let’s look at the facts:
1) We’re motivated to learn, especially if we plan to travel to a place where the language we want to acquire is spoken.
2) We have more time on our hands, especially if we’re retired. But I’m not, and have no plans to for the immediate future. So where am I going to find the time to study French? I’ve enrolled in a self-paced, on-line program.
3) We have more disposable income, at least we did until the economy took a nose-dive. But . .
4) We’re resourceful and know how to find discounts. For this time around on my language learning, I’ve decided to sign up for a course with Livemocha. Why this program as opposed to others I could have chosen? Because of a special offer I discovered on Groupon. I can take a one week free trial and then take advantage of my two-month Groupon special.
5) We’re optimists. Okay, I made that one up. But we are, aren’t we? If we weren’t, why would we travel and seek out new destinations to explore? Because we hope something marvelous lies right around the bend, just beyond the horizon, over the next hill. Heck no, we’re not over the hill. We can do this!
Tell me, Wanderboomers:
- What foreign language(s) do you still want to learn?
- Are there particular phrases you’ve found helpful to know in another language when you travel?
- Have any of you had any language mishaps, like mine at Notre Dame?
Amen! I’m considering picking up French again and maybe Russian. I speak Romanian and can understand a bit of Italian. I love the way everything is fresh and new with a new language.
Melinda
Glad you agree, Melinda! Let me know if you do pick up your French again & we can help each other stay on course ~
We have something else in common – Russian! My whole family is attempting to learn Chinese – with mixed success. But we’re committed.
I know what you mean about learning Chinese. My daughter attempted to teach me the Chinese she was studying in class when she was younger. She was a demanding teacher and would tell you that I wasn’t the best student!
I learned English, French and Latvian in my youth, from Eastern European immigrant parents who each spoke no less than 5 languages. However English now reigns supreme in my household, with some French on the side. Having learned these languages as a child, though, I have noticed my propensity to pick up other languages is greatly improved! If only I had the time 🙁
The Spanish CDs are in my car preparing for a hopeful visit to Cuba or Mexico sometime soon. No matter where i have travelled, I have always – at the very least – learned how to say Thank You in the native language.
I’m a Filipino trilingual who married an American who speaks “Southern boy.” To prep for a visit from my brother, he asked me to teach him the Tagalog phrase for “Let’s eat.” So I couched him to say, “Kain na tayo.” All the way to the San Francisco Int’l. airport he repeated it to himself. My brother deplaned, and the big moment arrived.
I heard hubby say timidly, “Tae na kayo.” Which would’ve been forgivable gobbledygook, if it didn’t actually have a translation: “You turd.”
Hubby’s moved on to learning Mandarin.
Oops, meant to say “coached,” not couched. Ouch.
Hi, Astra! I have such admiration of anyone who can speak more than one language fluently! Sounds like you’re making good use of your car travel time by having your Spanish CDs close by. I’d love to get to Cuba, too . . .
OMG! That is too funny!! I would have loved to have seen the look on your brother’s face. Thanks for sharing ~
🙂
Nancy, I majored in foreign languages back in college. I’m fluent in Spanish and can muddle my way in French and Italian. I say muddle because languages are not like riding a bike; if you don’t practice them, you forget them. I’ve recently been thinking about taking a refresher course in French. But like you said, when you’re still not retired, you have to make the time. I really enjoyed this post! 🙂
Thanks, Bella! Stay tuned for my next blog post when I offer language learning tips for busy people.
Despite the fact that my father was born in Cuba, I grew up never learning Spanish. (Dad was too busy working to support five kids to come home and try to teach us grammar 🙂 )
In high school, I took four years of a dead language, and TRIED to take Spanish at the same time, but dropped it because the teacher and I butt heads. (long story)
When I travel to Spanish speaking areas, people assume I am fluent…and if I can catch enough of what they are saying I tend to nod and say the little I know 🙂
If I had the time I would love to brush up on my Spanish, as well as learn French, Italian, Portugese, German, and Japanese. Maybe more.
For now, I’ll just have to settle for the basics.
Even the basics go a long way in building relationships across cultures, Amber. It’s a good place to start! Thanks for stopping by ~
Absolutely! I think you can master a language at ANY age. And I plan to keep picking up what I can for the rest of my life too.
Good for you, Angela! Glad you agree ~
Once I could speak half decent French and fluent Welsh, while I’m not particularly interested in re-learning my French (I’m much more interested in other European languages) I am currently trying to remember all the Welsh I know, seeing as I’ve been back home in Wales for over a year now. It’s not as hard as I thought it would be, but it’s already in there, just needs pulling out the dusty filing cabinets of my mind.
If spending any time in a country then learning the language or even the basics is a good thing to do. I recently spent 3 months in South America and can recommend that learning a basics in Spanish makes every thing much easier
John
I agree, John. It makes it easier and more fun, plus it shows respect for the people in your host country.
As my daughter liked to say when she was little, “Mom, you’re brain’s just like a computer: all the information is in there; you just need to be able to access it.” Yeah, well, that’s the challenge, isn’t it? And am I the only one who finds that when I try brushing up on one language, what I thought I’d forgotten in another language bubbles to the surface?
Great post. I’m an American who couldn’t sit still speaking only one language. When I travel I always try to learn basic phrases and the grammar of the language.
Recently, I ordered (and pointed directly to) an onion baji at an Indian Restaurant in Paris. Despite the fact that the dish was indeed called “Onion Baji” on the menu, I got Agneau Balti, which was incredibly good, by the way–but three times more expensive.
Thanks, Christopher! Go figure . . . All we can do is try :-).