I have enjoyed reading words written by friends, cousins, aunts and uncles . . . page after page of kind wishes. I came across this poem, written in Portuguese, which is the language I learned at school. Although I would not be able to even begin a conversation in that language today . . . when I read these words, I understand all but one word.This just makes me wonder - would just anyone be able to read these words and make sense of them . . . or have I benefited from having had to learn several languages in my life? I once read a quote, and I don't remember who said it but, translated from German, it says,
"He who never learns another language, does not really know his own."
This saying has some truth in it. How can one describe how their language functions if one has nothing to compare it to? When we learn another language, we become aware of how easy or difficult our own language really is.
I have a good friend, whom I regularly walk with, who also has a German background. Although we have always spoken English to each other . . . every once in a while a German word comes out of our mouths, because it just says it better than the translated English word does. We laugh and go on . . . both understanding the exact meaning of what the other is saying.
So . . . these are some thoughts on language. Know that if you are giving your kids the chance to learn another language, they may not like it now, but will most likely thank you one day. Learning another language opens the door to more relationships, a better understanding of other people, and empathy for those trying to learn your language.
11 comments:
That is so true Anneliese and I too have experienced some Russian sayings that just can't be translated into English well.
If your first language was German, I am curious how you sustained that while living in Paraguay (or was it Uruguay?) Are you fluent in Spanish, too? I know it is quite different than Portuguese. This is a pretty fantastic linguistic background for anyone to have had, and it is very interesting to me that your parents held onto their German identity through all the years in SA.
Now, here's a question: How much impact did the Mennonite culture have on your language? Did the Mennonite community only speak German, or did they assimilate the Spanish/Portuguese as well?
I have worked with ESL students in school and there are such challenges for the kids when the parents don't learn the new language of where they are living now. You have had a very rich language history!
Which word did you not understand?
Not to mention, that some of the words were not spelled correctly! :-)
So very true! Having learned German first and then English I find that I pick up other languages very quickly. And the first one you never really forget.
Those autograph books were so popular..I still have mine too:)
Funny you have this post today. Today we started teaching the girls english with Canadian curriculum homeschool books. They know a lot of englsih already so it is going well so far. It is hard to believe that someday soon when we move back to Canada they will start speaking more english than spanish. That will be strange. My husband and I find there are many sayings in spanish that work so much better than in english so I totally know what you mean.
Blessings, Leana
Well as you know, I am having to brush up on my mother tongue in order to be helpful in saying certain phrases to a few of my grands who are already billingual. I think it is just wonderful ...wish I could have done that with our kids.
So true...some words are best said in another language. My kids picked up a few German words along the way...simply because we used them rather than the English equivalent....which wasn't quite the same.
How wonderful to know several languages...and to have an autograph book in Portuguese.
I'm fascinated by your various languages that you've picked up over your lifetime. My grandparents all spoke PA Dutch, a little of that trickled down to my parents, but only a word or 2 is mine to know now.
A friend of mine spent some time in Costa Rica and brought back this phrase with her, one that can't really be translated...
PURA VIDA!
Looks like I have some questions to answer... first of all, Waltrude - the word I don't know is saodade.
Hollace - I never became fluent in Spanish or Portuguese in those few years because we spoke German at home. My parents, however, in the work force,and having spent a lot of their life there, were quite fluent. Whatever country we have lived in, they have learned the language. My mom writes English, even though she has never gone to school here... an my dad earned a University degree 10 years after we moved here, at age 45. He did not know much English when he started his classes.
The Mennonite Community had much to do with us keeping our German language, since we spoke it at home and at church. Eventually the church did assimilate the Spanish/Portuguese and young people there are like they are here... they speak the national language. With the world getting smaller things have changed in the last generation.
For more info - the Mennonite Church I attended as a child had bi-lingual services and just recently chaange to English in order to be relevant to the majority of the attendees and community around them.
Thank you to all for your comments!
I agree with you so whole heartedly. I am so thankful for a second language...how beautiful and now my kids wish I would of taught them that language also...but of course it was not quite so cool at that time.
It's really interesting what Hollace commented.
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