What was/is your second language?
Hey all,
Just figured this would be fun question to ask here to spur discussion.
So aside from the language we learn during our development, many of us have also acquired a second (or more) language.
For me, living in Texas when I did, my second language was and still is Spanish. Regrettably, although I used to be rather fluent in it, I did not keep studying. As such, I feel like I either lost a lot of what I learned, or that the language itself is locked away in my brain somewhere. And I just have to dig it out, haha.
So yeah, what was/is the second language you all picked up in your lives?
I live in Ireland, and while the offical language is Irish, its my second language cause not many people speak it. I learnt English first. I used to be fluent in Irish though! I was a good speaker, sadly I gave up the subject when I went into secondary school and I didn't continue speaking it (as I felt I had no reason to). Its the biggest mistake I've made, as I love the language. I still do speak cúpla focal (a few words in irish) so at least I didn't forget it entirely. I'm hoping to take up a class when I'm in university to learn it again :)
@aquaOrange8118
Thank you for sharing!!
I know exactly what you mean with regard to losing a language; I did the same thing with Spanish when I eventually quit studying it after school. I'd like to think it's still buried in my brain there somewhere, but I also haven't looked in awhile 😂.
@aquaOrange8118
I relate to what you are saying I am still in secondary but have lost much of my Irish since moving from my Irish primary to my English secondary. I now no longer have fluency and is much more like a foreign language to me. Sad as its such a beautiful language
@sereneSunset26
Hi! My family and I, our second language is actually English, Spanish being our native tongue. I learned a bit of Italian in college and I'm currently learning Mandarin Chinese. For me its funny (and impressive) how my kids can speak and change from one language to another with ease.
Here's a quick anecdote:
One day I was taking my online Chinese class when my young son gave me a bottle of water I had asked for. I replied with 谢谢 Xièxiè nǐ (Thank You) and kept on studying, staring at my laptop's screen. He paused, smiled, and as he walked away towards his room, he said over his shoulder: "Your welcome." (In English)
My reaction: 😅👍😘
They do pay attention to what you tell /teach them! 😃
@Glimmers22
That is really cool! I've heard that Chinese can be one of the more difficult languages to learn, so my respect to you (and anyone) for making the effort to learn it!!
Also, your anecdote is awesome and a good lesson for me should I end up having kids of my own someday. I know that's something I heard growing up as well, that kids are always listening. :)
@sereneSunset26
Arabic and Bengali and some Urdu
@HalKhatunBraunDiploma
That's really awesome!! Do you have a personal favorite of those three languages? :)
@sereneSunset26
Hi Serene! Thank for your post😁
My second language would be English since I've been learning it from the beginning of my education. I can understand Hindi, but can't speak the language, because it's been many years since i last used it.
@MilaAvery
No worries, Mila! Thank you for your reply!!
What are your impressions of the English language now that you are this far into your education? :)
@sereneSunset26
I feel that English is an easy language once you try to learn it. Most people who do not speak English are paranoid that they will not be able to speak the language well, but it's easier compared to most languages.
How about you, Serene? What was/is your second language? 😊
French
@creativesandu
That's awesome!!
I've always loved how French phonetically sounds when it is spoken; it's definitely a language that I have wanted to learn.
@sereneSunset26
This is an interesting thread!
I'm from India. We have tons of language here itself so most of us are at least bilingual. My native tongue is Malayalam. English is my second language, since it is the formal language here. I also have what you call a "professional working proficiency" in two other Indian languages which are Tamil and Hindi. I've also been learning Spanish out of the pure love for it.
@chrysanthemum97
That is amazing that you are so multilingual!!
Out of all those languages, do you have a personal favorite? :)
Oh that would definitely be my native tongue - Malayalam, because it's one of the toughest languages in india to learn and to speak. We talk really fast, so I enjoy the looks on others (non Malayalam speakers) faces when they hear me talk in Malayalam 😂
@chrysanthemum97
Haha, I can actually kind of picture that!! :)
When I was first learning Spanish, I felt some palpable fear when I initially heard how fast that language could be spoken.
@sereneSunset26
hi!
my second language is actually english. i grew up (and still is living) in a country that does not have english as a national language. it sort of became a requirement to learn english for formality's sake (writing documents and all).
i'm sort of embarrassed that i feel like i'm better in english than our dialect and national language, honestly, haha.
i hope everyone is doing well!
@PumpKinNes16
I am certainly impressed in your proficiency in English just from your writing!!
If you don't mind me asking, what is your first/native language? :)
our national language is filipino! and the first language i've ever learned is our dialect, which is bikol.
I've got a tone of languages, most developed second languages are English, German and Indonesian
@limeOcean5805
That is amazing; what made you want to learn so many languages? :)
@sereneSunset26
Hello Serene ^^
I speak Bahasa, English and Chinese fluently. Understand daily conversation Malay, a tiny bit of Surabaya Javanese and three Chinese dialects.
My first language is Bahasa following English as second language.
Currently studying Korean, Japanese, Thai and Arabic
@unnie12
As I have said to others in this thread, I am so impressed by your repertoire of languages. I'll also ask you the same question; do you have a favorite out of all those languages?
@sereneSunset26 My second language is french! :)
@H4pPyT34aRs
That's awesome!!
How/when did you learn French? Also (totally unrelated I know lol), is that a Ben 10 character is in your avatar? :)