You know, I recently read an old email I sent my college advisor about a year back. We were talking about my classes that I would take in Argentina and the language barrier, etc. One line that really struck me as funny was, "So, after my first semester in the IES program, I´ll be fluent and will be registering in the local business school there."
Right! Given, I speak this language very well. I can talk to just about anyone and understand what they´re saying. However, I still make mistakes. I still get upset if I use an indirect object pronoun instead of a direct object pronoun, or an article of the incorrect sex. I´ve been speaking english for 22 years of my life, and spanish for merely 9 months. I regret not taking more classes in college, giving myself a base to work off. I feel I´ve learned EVERYTHING here, like I basically started from scratch. I believe I was overly confident that I would master this language in just one year. There are so many ins and outs, phrases, words, secrets, and shortcuts, just like english, that take years to acquire. I find myself getting down on myself for not being a perfect speaker, but then I also realize that I continaully compare myself to Holly and Lindsay, my bilingual sisters. How did they do it so easily in a year. One day I´ll need to stop doing these comparisons.
Ok, well, sorry for the bummer post, but, if you want a view into my life, this is where I´m at.
patrick
Capital Federal, Buenos Aires, Argentina
2 comments:
maybe just don't think about it and it will happen. in fact, i'm almost positive that is how to get what you want out of a language. give up trying to get what you want.
miss you, mitch.
heeeeeey--- lindsay and i were at the same spot you were....and we are still learning so much every day. i've got 5 years on you, of reading, music, talking, classes, living in my 2nd spanish speaking country-- saturday is my one year anniversary! maybe you could logically compare yourself to me in 5 years... until then, chill out.. it's a slow process of finesse... and i still use a dictionary when i read books in spanish. tranquilo... tranquilo... just give it a little effort every day and you will be making leaps and bounds in no time. love you! holly
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