What a goal! I'm hooked and can't wait to go read your backlist and follow your journey. I've been working on learning Italian for years so some of what you've said is relatable. What will this year bring you? I can't wait to find out.
Yesterday I received a copy of How to Be a Good Savage. Poems written in Zoque (indigineous language), Spanish, and English. (Some were originally in Zoque then translated to Sp and Eng, some originally in Spanish then translated the other directions.) I opened it and my brain was like... wha?? I get so closed off thinking my world is the only world. My stuff is the only important stuff. etc etc Dumb brain... the world is so WIDE!! So, yes. Maybe this Substack can save us all!
Of course one cannot "learn" 12 languages in a year. But one can "study" 12 languages per year - that's what you should be saying. Nobody says languages are "impossible" to learn. But let's not give the impression that languages are super easy to learn, or that you can reach any kind of decent "useable" level in one month.
I love how adventurous you are, and you have articulated something I never could put words around--that sense of discovery of how our languages influence the way we view and interact with the world and ourselves. I have had so many moments of those in my life but then they became, like you said, "meh," and also, "who besides me cares?" Well, I'm so glad to know that you care!
I just came back from Thailand having learned a few words and phrases that helped me get by and connect with the locals better. As for their written language, I told myself, "Forget about it!" I met a Chinese lady there and she and I both agreed that Thai is the most difficult written language we'd known.
I was going to suggest Cantonese to you as I'm fluent in it, but then it wouldn't fit into your criteria (it's got 13 tons and the written form is different from the "standard" form used by Mandarin-speakers, both in terms of the strokes and word choices.)
I'm excited to read more about your linguistic adventures!
The Thai writing system is brutal. I'm learning it now even though I promised myself I won't, but I can't help it. That's why Cantonese is not going to make the list. Tones don't scare me anymore but if I start learning the 2500 characters that you have to know to even begin writing (is that right?) because I know I won't be able to restrain myself, then I'll be in deep trouble :)
Wow, amazing you're learning the Thai written system! I won't even attempt it! For Chinese, hmmm, I think you would need about 3,000 to be able to read a newspaper, but for everyday communication, I don't think you would need that many... but then I have no idea how many, ha ha!
Like you, I also used to think learning languages was easy, and fun -- I already know eight. But Hebrew is my nemesis! I love your challenge to yourself, and am interested to read about the process. Any tips you want to share along the way about making Hebrew easier to learn, would be much appreciated LOL
Where are you getting stuck with Hebrew? Reading? Verbs? Hebrew is a root-and-pattern language, which means you have to know the pattern (binyan) of each verb to know how to pronounce it... but then you can't always tell the pattern because there are no vowel letters. So very often you only know how to pronounce words that you're already familiar with. This is actually true even for native speakers. I'll try to write something about Hebrew. I learned it a long time ago, but I'll try to remember the process.
Ooooh please, start with Slovak language as well! It's a Slavic language, but since the country is so tiny, people usually pick up Polish or Czech... I'll help you with it if you want :) I admire your project, I'm also keen on learning new languages.
What a goal! I'm hooked and can't wait to go read your backlist and follow your journey. I've been working on learning Italian for years so some of what you've said is relatable. What will this year bring you? I can't wait to find out.
Thank you, Patricia
Stoked to follow along with your journey. This is a great concept.
Thanks, Mike!
As a person struggling to learn ONE language, I admire your ambition here. I'm excited to follow along!
What are you learning?
I'm learning Italian. My partner is Italian and we speak it sometimes at home (& our pets "speak" italian) but I still have a long way to go :)
Oh my gosh, I'm learning Italian too. I've been at it off-and-on for 5 years now and still feel beginner. Consistency is my problem.
I’ll be dying to learn how the baby languages will get along in the mouth.
Yesterday I received a copy of How to Be a Good Savage. Poems written in Zoque (indigineous language), Spanish, and English. (Some were originally in Zoque then translated to Sp and Eng, some originally in Spanish then translated the other directions.) I opened it and my brain was like... wha?? I get so closed off thinking my world is the only world. My stuff is the only important stuff. etc etc Dumb brain... the world is so WIDE!! So, yes. Maybe this Substack can save us all!
This is incredibly ambitious, excited to hear about your journey!!
this is cool
This is so exciting! You've inspired me – maybe not 12 but I just picked Hebrew back up on Duolingo for starters. Can't wait to follow along.
p.s that photo you is 🥰
Yay! I'm so happy I've inspired you.
Tan'ka, this is brilliant! And so funny, as usual:)
And .... it is such an honor to be a character in your story! Feels like someone has made a a film and I am playing in it... ;)
You're a major character :):)!!
Of course one cannot "learn" 12 languages in a year. But one can "study" 12 languages per year - that's what you should be saying. Nobody says languages are "impossible" to learn. But let's not give the impression that languages are super easy to learn, or that you can reach any kind of decent "useable" level in one month.
This is a brave, crazy idea. I love it.
But how do you say "seahorse midwife" in Finnish?
I love how adventurous you are, and you have articulated something I never could put words around--that sense of discovery of how our languages influence the way we view and interact with the world and ourselves. I have had so many moments of those in my life but then they became, like you said, "meh," and also, "who besides me cares?" Well, I'm so glad to know that you care!
I just came back from Thailand having learned a few words and phrases that helped me get by and connect with the locals better. As for their written language, I told myself, "Forget about it!" I met a Chinese lady there and she and I both agreed that Thai is the most difficult written language we'd known.
I was going to suggest Cantonese to you as I'm fluent in it, but then it wouldn't fit into your criteria (it's got 13 tons and the written form is different from the "standard" form used by Mandarin-speakers, both in terms of the strokes and word choices.)
I'm excited to read more about your linguistic adventures!
The Thai writing system is brutal. I'm learning it now even though I promised myself I won't, but I can't help it. That's why Cantonese is not going to make the list. Tones don't scare me anymore but if I start learning the 2500 characters that you have to know to even begin writing (is that right?) because I know I won't be able to restrain myself, then I'll be in deep trouble :)
Wow, amazing you're learning the Thai written system! I won't even attempt it! For Chinese, hmmm, I think you would need about 3,000 to be able to read a newspaper, but for everyday communication, I don't think you would need that many... but then I have no idea how many, ha ha!
Haha, yes that's exactly why I'm not going there!
😅 Kheaci (understand in Thai). BTW, like Thai, there is no tense or conjugation in Chinese either.
Like you, I also used to think learning languages was easy, and fun -- I already know eight. But Hebrew is my nemesis! I love your challenge to yourself, and am interested to read about the process. Any tips you want to share along the way about making Hebrew easier to learn, would be much appreciated LOL
Where are you getting stuck with Hebrew? Reading? Verbs? Hebrew is a root-and-pattern language, which means you have to know the pattern (binyan) of each verb to know how to pronounce it... but then you can't always tell the pattern because there are no vowel letters. So very often you only know how to pronounce words that you're already familiar with. This is actually true even for native speakers. I'll try to write something about Hebrew. I learned it a long time ago, but I'll try to remember the process.
Ooooh please, start with Slovak language as well! It's a Slavic language, but since the country is so tiny, people usually pick up Polish or Czech... I'll help you with it if you want :) I admire your project, I'm also keen on learning new languages.
Good luck! Daniela
oh, that's a really good idea! and a good "why" in my book. thank you!