For those whose first language is not English

[michel]

I was taught in French until the age of ten. To this day, multiplication tables, to me, are in French. Anyone else find this sort of 'quirky' association?

 

[anders]

I find nothing strange in retaining a rather automatic process in the language it was taught.

I still live in the country of my mother language, but have some POVs that rather go in the opposite direction.

For a criterion on when you "really" know a foreign language, I say that when you live in another language setting and do mental arithmetics in that language, not your native one, you know the language.

And an interesting thing I noted just recently: when I plan a post to a 100% Swedish discussion board, I often find myself thinking in English! A sign of addiction? (Add some 300 posts from me on a few other religious fora and 1000 plus on a linguistic board as well since April ´04.)

 

[michel]

I find nothing strange in retaining a rather automatic process in the language it was taught.

I still live in the country of my mother language, but have some POVs that rather go in the opposite direction.

For a criterion on when you "really" know a foreign language, I say that when you live in another language setting and do mental arithmetics in that language, not your native one, you know the language.

And an interesting thing I noted just recently: when I plan a post to a 100% Swedish discussion board, I often find myself thinking in English! A sign of addiction? (Add some 300 posts from me on a few other religious fora and 1000 plus on a linguistic board as well since April ´04.)

Thank you; that's interesting. As I am incapable of mental arithmetic ( I HAVE to use pen and paper, although I am 'good' at maths), I can't say that I really know English !!:jiggy: doesn't

 

[mrscardero]

English is my second language so I find a lot of the things I read understandable. I would usually ask carrdero what is being typed. I would have to just read it more then once to understand.

No wonder I don't understand politics..:biglaugh:

 

[martha]

I have often wondered if people who have become fluent in english, think in english or in their native tongue? Or do they think in half and half ways, like some of my spanish friends term "spanglish" spanish and english? What would you call french and english? Fringlish? Frenchlish? Getting silly now!

 

[Unedited]

English word order is still something I fight against.

I want it to be more like this:

Still I English word order against fight.

And I swear I say stuff like that all the time. I'm very thankful for my backspace key.

 

[SK2005]

For all of you who your second language is your second language, was english hard to learn?

 

[groovydancer88]

Yikes, it must have been. There are more exceptions to the rules than there are things that follow the rules! Congratulations to those of you who learned english the hard way.

I'm in spanish three right now, and it's bizarre because I find myself thinking in spanish from time to time. Very strange, since the only time I actually speak it is between 7:25 and 8:10 in the mornings on weekdays!

 

[mrscardero]

For all of you who your second language is your second language, was english hard to learn?

I was thought English by reading the New York Times. I was placed in Special Ed classes when I was in Elementary School. I had a problem saying The. Make sure you place your tongue between your teeth she says. I learned pretty quick but didn't have the comprehension of the English language.

I speak my language, English and some spanish. Since martha is combining english and other languages, I would have to type that I speak Tagalish. Tagalog is the other language I speak.

 

[SK2005]

Yikes, it must have been. There are more exceptions to the rules than there are things that follow the rules! Congratulations to those of you who learned english the hard way.

I'm in spanish three right now, and it's bizarre because I find myself thinking in spanish from time to time. Very strange, since the only time I actually speak it is between 7:25 and 8:10 in the mornings on weekdays!

I know, I have trouble with english and I am almost 18 yrs.

I am in spanish 4 and I think in spanish too. The hardest part is writing essays for english class, I always put simple spanish phrases in on accident. SO it will look like this...
On my way down the hall para to get some agua, I went to el bano, y washed my manos.
It is pretty funny. I use and/y A LOT!!!

 

[Unedited]

For all of you who your second language is your second language, was english hard to learn?

Very, but I think it was easier for me than most. I'm surrounded by English, and when I started to learn, I already had basic skills in three languages.

 

[mrscardero]

I know, I have trouble with english and I am almost 18 yrs.

I am in spanish 4 and I think in spanish too. The hardest part is writing essays for english class, I always put simple spanish phrases in on accident. SO it will look like this...
On my way down the hall para to get some agua, I went to el bano, y washed my manos.
It is pretty funny. I use and/y A LOT!!!

I know what that is like. I talk to my step mom in our language and then when I go to talk to carrdero, I talk to him in the same language and he is American.
I would talk to him sometimes in my language, when I am

 

[anders]

For all of you who your second language is your second language, was english hard to learn?

At the age of 11, I didn't question authorities, and wanted a nice report card, so I just learned the subjects, including English. It came natural to me, possibly thanks to my choosing a suitable genetic assembly from my parents.

In a slightly more serious vein, I think that the foundation was laid by
1) the understanding in my family (including grandparents) that books are nice and useful (I taught myself reading at the age of 4) and
2) my understanding that languages are great for communicating with people in other countries (my father was a merchant navy captain) and
3) my knowing that my parents knew a couple of languages: father was fluent in English (probably including lots of words that he didn't teach me) and had a good working knowledge of German and Spanish, and picked up quite a few phrases in other languages, especially in Japanese; mother is fluent in English, manages German and is not too bad at French.

Likewise, when we had German in school, at 13, that wasn't much of a problem either. And so on.

 

[michel]

Actually, my very first language was 'Kiswahili' (From the Congo); my parents realized with some horror that I was learning the natives' language because I spent so much time with them ! I can still say a few phrases.
Next came French, until the age of ten; in preparation for my going to an English Public School, my mother gave me a crash course in Latin. I suppose the combination of French and Latin helped a lot with English - especially with my voracious love of words. I love words - they fascinate me. Now I find that I have an above average vocabluary - and that is most likely due to my love of reading and writing.
No, for me, English was easy; having married Marie who is half Spanish, I can understand the language pretty well - although I find speaking quite difficult. I dare say if I was to spend a couple of months in Spain, I would be 'up to speed' conversationally.

 

[martha]

Hey Mrs. C, Mahal quita! I am sure the second word is mispelled, but I think you will know what I mean. Tagalog eh, that language is just as difficult as Arabic. My tongue has great difficulty wrapping around the long words. But I'm still Ok lang.

Love ya,
Martha

 

[mrscardero]

Hey Mrs. C, Mahal quita! I am sure the second word is mispelled, but I think you will know what I mean. Tagalog eh, that language is just as difficult as Arabic. My tongue has great difficulty wrapping around the long words. But I'm still Ok lang.

Love ya,
Martha

Mahal din kita Martha. Where did you learn that? It's nice to know someone knows a little of my language.