I had some trouble finding a second person to answer a few questions about foreign language over all. There were a few that would have been really great to hear from but I ended up empty handed. Then it occurred to me that my mom has always find some way to communicate to non-English speakers. Through this she has grasped a small vocabulary of Papiamento (a Caribbean pidgin of Dutch, English, Spanish, and some Native American languages), and some Spanish dialects. She's been to Europe and spent some time in the the Caribbean. She's encountered many languages that intrigue her curiosity. So I believe that her input is vital.
1. What exactly in a language do you notice first? Is it the culture, the personality of the person that is speaking it? What exactly is it when you encounter another language that you notice?
When I first encounter a language, I almost immediately notice the culture, the attitude around it. It sounds so unique and enticing, so much that I want to know where they are from. If they attempt to communicate with me, that's a plus too!
2. What is the most striking appeal of a foreign language to you?
I would have to say it's sound, especially the melody. Some languages flow so poetically, while others are very guttural and harsh sounding. I prefer the flowing ones and not so much the ones that have harsh starts and stops.
3. Do you feel that the culture of the language is the most important factor in determining if you will study it? If not, then what is?
I would have to say once again it is the culture that is the most convincing. Some cultures are too reserved, while some are too free and talk far too much and loud. If the people do not want to talk to me, I'm not going to be interested in them.
4. Is a classroom your favorite way to learn the language? Or do you feel to efficiently learn it you must go abroad?Or do you feel that you need a few classes to get the basics and then go abroad to fully learn it?
I definitely would love to be living in the country as I am learning it. I might consider a class for the basics, but I'd rather just buy a small book and take it with me. One of the reasons to fully understand a language is to get to know the people. Basically I'm saying that I'd go anywhere and learn on the go.
5. Does it depend on the country? For example, would you rather study in an environment that is war torn and threatened by terrorism daily? Or would you rather be in a peaceful society that has genuinely communicative people?
I remember when I was in Switzerland trying to get on the subway. Everyone was looking at me like I was a foolish tourist. But there was this elderly man that came up to me and started speaking to me in German, when he figured out I didn't speak that, he switched to French. Then he tried Spanish. He then spoke a few words in English and told me that I had to visit an old famous church. It was this attempt of communication that meant a lot to me. That type of communication is what draws me to a certain language. Of course I would like to go anywhere, but if it is a country that is plagued with war, forget it.
6. Do you prefer a literal or symbolic language?
I love picture words. Things that make sense. I want a word that represents exactly what it means. For example, in a country that does not have electricity, they will not have a word for a "dishwasher." It may be more along the lines of a "bowlwasher." What I mean is that "a person that washes bowls." This means that there should be the word for the object, a word for the actor, and a word for the action. I prefer languages that have a lower morpheme-to-word ratio meaning Isolating. A simple language. Those that tend to just stick everything together is very confusing to me.
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