Have you ever really wanted to learn French but felt you couldn’t justify the indulgence? Or have you been too scared to give it a go in case it’s too hard. Or even worried other people might think you’re a bit strange. Well a little bit of strange can be a good thing.
I must confess, I love the sound of a beautifully played overdriven electric guitar, or for that matter the sweet woody magic of a solid topped acoustic guitar in full flight. But when it comes to the music of language, while each has its own rhythm and mystery, it’s the romance languages that get me in.
Till the early 20th century French was the language of international diplomacy. It is spoken in about 30 countries around the world, and it is one of the official languages of the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the International Olympic Committee. And (This is really cool) probably more than half the vocabulary of English has a French connection thanks to William the Conqueror and his merry band. So in a way we have a leg up into the cadence and vocabulary of the language.
You are not alone in wanting to learn French. It is the most studied second tongue after English. The planet is dotted with funny little French classes Bonjouring with all there might. And I can add from experience having an excruciatingly good time. (Real gain and fun usually involves a wee bit of pain.) Also the diodes (synapses) might need a little warming if not used for some time.
As I said above a little bit of strange is a good thing, there are no towering prizes for being normal. There is however a good deal fundamentally healthy about wanting to bust out and try something fresh. Just getting underway is a noteworthy achievement . And part of the accomplishment is seeing yourself is a different light. Investigating and investing in another facet of who you are, without being overly concerned about how it looks to the spectator.
Now it is true no man is an island, and I have noted if one of us steps out of the box for a moment, it somehow helps another to slid out and have a look around too. And any learning always has the fantastic (side salad) of brain exercise and sense of renewed growth, irrespective of age or beauty. I read once that learning a language or an instrument is particularly beneficial for the brain, and I would wager a lot more fun than just doing exercises (And any brain or body exercise is almost always valuable.)
Learning a language is not swapping one word for another; it is a whole new way of seeing and thinking, perhaps an aid to tackling bigotry also. If you have always had a secret desire to speak another language, I encourage you to give it a go. I doubt anything worthwhile will be lost in the trying.“Bonne chance”
Saving Money By Cutting Hair
In the time it takes to drive down town for a hair cut you might get it done at home just as good and no cost pretty cool!
Adults learning A New Language Can It Be Done... A Boomers Guide
Can a second language be learned as an adult? Well the short answer is yes, but as anyone who has tried can attest, there are a few hurdles to overcome. And a few mental monsters that have to be defeated.
Lip Syncing Is It A big Deal?
There is wonderful place in the live version of the U2 song Party Girl were the Edge plays a bum note and Bono yells out “Guitar hero”. Far from blowing the song it makes it, straight away the audience is involved, the Edge is maybe a wee bit embarrassed but this is live and scary, buckle up for the ride.
