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May 10, 2010 | Spanish

Beyond Monolingualism

Errands, appointments, and language encounters around town.

Last night Brandt and I saw the closing night of the play Enron. It opened just two weeks ago, on April 27. Perhaps after a long recession, people don’t want to see a play about corporate greed and crime on a monumental scale. 

Enron, Closing Night at the Broadhurst Theater

I took my Spanish books with me and, during the intermission while Brandt was in the bathroom, worked on grammar. I take those books everywhere and steal small moments like that. But I like to think I know when to put them away, too.

The book I am using right now is called Spanish Grammar Drills by Rogelio Alonso Vallecillos. That’s a fabulous-sounding name (I mean his, not the book’s). The book is okay, but it is not my favorite. I got it a few years ago when I wanted to brush up on Spanish. It has a lot of translation exercises, which I normally love, but instead of giving you 12 sentences and then a break to check answers, and then a new exercise with a slightly different emphasis, there are 40 sentences per translation exercise. That’s a lot. If you head down a wrong path early on in the exercise, things can go badly for you.

Also, some of the Spanish vocabulary is not what I am used to. I am guessing it is because the author is from Spain, and I learned mostly Mexican Spanish. That’s not his fault, though.

Today was an errands and organization kind of day. At one shop I visited, I talked to an employee who came here from Korea when she was eight. She grew up in Bayside, Queens. I ran a couple of Korean phrases by her, and she understood me without trouble. That pleased me.

We talked about Korean versus English. She said she did not find learning English as easy as people said it would be. I told her I had been surprised lately by how many non-native speakers say English is easy. It really isn’t. But I think people who come to English as a foreign language are on average less likely to complain about how hard it is to learn than English-speaking Americans are to complain about their own travails with a new language. Some Americans are language wimps. I’m sorry, but that’s the truth. I don’t mean that I think everyone should be fabulous at learning a new language—different people have different talents, after all—but I do think many people should try harder.

In the late afternoon I had an appointment with a podiatrist, as my feet have been hurting, and my right heel swelled up after a race this weekend.

After the Race (Which I Liked, But My Foot Didn't)

57th Street: En Route to Podiatrist

I got injections in both heels while the podiatrist and I talked about how, besides English, his mother speaks Yiddish and Latvian, and how he grew up in Brooklyn hearing both of those in his family. (Once again, as documented in a previous entry, yucky medical things become much less bothersome when I am distracted by interesting language discussions.)

View of 57th Street from Doctor's Office

Speaking to my doctor about Yiddish made me want, once again, to add a third year to this project so I can include not only that language but also Polish, Dutch, maybe Tagalog or Persian, and American Sign Language.

In writing about language and specifically about a multilingual New York, I have many hopes. One is to describe the many layers of a city I love. Another is to encourage people to move beyond monolingualism. Even a little bit of foreign-language knowledge is rewarding; you don’t have to become fluent to see significant benefits. (And do not claim to be fluent if you are not; that’s too annoying.)

Unlike many other places in the world, there are countless opportunities all around this city to practice scores of different languages. A mere subway ride, or a quick walk to an adjacent neighborhood, or sometimes even a mere walk down the street or out one’s front door, is all that is necessary. That is a profoundly special thing!

Comments (4)

Ken • Posted on Tue, May 11, 2010 - 9:17 am EST

I think the reason a lot of non-native speakers think English is easy to learn is because they hear it everywhere.  Movies, etc.  It’s easy to COMMUNICATE in it, but to speak it well is indeed difficult.

Kris L. • Posted on Wed, August 21, 2013 - 2:13 pm EST

I was quite fortunate growing up.  My mom is German, and while English was spoken (my Dad was not bilingual), my sister and I had the exposure, especially when German family or friends were visiting.  I also had the opportunity to take French in school growing up.  The ironic thing is that at that time, it was a chore…now 30 years later, I wish I took it more seriously.  My goal now is not to just know the languages, but actually speak them.  That is why I love Pimsleur.

I live in Florida now (formerly Long Islander), and I definitely have heard different languages during my days.  I love when I can pick up a language other than English or Spanish (like German).

Ellen Jovin • Posted on Wed, August 21, 2013 - 8:54 pm EST

Kris, regarding your above-described language regret (i.e., that you wish you had taken it more seriously as a child), it is truly never too late. That is a serious underlying theme for me with this entire website. I realize you yourself already know it is not too late, so I am preaching to the choir anyway, but in all seriousness, I think we are ready for different things at different moments in our lives, for all kinds of reasons. Children often aren’t interested in what their adult selves will find interesting and valuable. The good news is, our brains stay way more ready for language-learning than is generally thought. I truly believe that! Sometimes we are even better at learning as adults. I mean, people who pay attention to language accumulate knowledge about its operation as the years pass.

Esther • Posted on Mon, March 09, 2015 - 7:06 pm EST

I discovered your blog recently and absolutely love it! I am slowly working my way through all your old entries particularly your Spanish and Italian projects as they are the languages I am learning.

Up until the age of 36 I am ashamed to say I spoke only English and actually thought that English was enough. When it suddenly hit me that I was missing out. I stupidly assumed also that after a certain age you can’t learn a language. Well I am happy to say I was wrong you can. It’s tough and I still make lots of errors but I don’t care because the experiences and people that I have met since learning Italian and now Spanish are irreplacable. Being able to communicate with people in their language is priceless and also experiencing the same struggles that some non native English speakers go through is very humbling.

Anyway you go girl you are an inspiration!

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