I’m glad your temperatures have moderated. We’re headed to a brisk 114 degrees here in the Valley of the Sun today. I remembered just enough freshman Spanish to muddle through getting someone’s name, license, address, etc. which usually led to the person I was interacting with to believe I knew a lot more Spanish than I really did. My very limited language skills allowed me to interact on a basic level. I share this as a way to say I’ve started “learning” Italian, which is somewhat similar to Spanish and Portuguese, which is really nothing like Spanish (other than a few words) for some up coming travel we’re going to be doing. I feel pretty comfortable ordering a coffee with milk but could probably still cause an international incident. I’ve discovered that learning a new language has done for me the same things as when I first began learning the Rituals and Degrees. I would encourage everyone, regardless of age, to always seek to learn something new. It only takes a few minutes a day, which I always seem to have. I’m glad you’re back in the “writing groove” and that Mrs. Bailey didn’t take to basting you. Hope you have a great day!
114! I'd be bright red, shriveled up and nearly dead! But I know that a lot of people love it.
I took Spanish in school, and regret to say that I didn't learn a darn thing from it. Most of that was because I've found that if I don't use it, I lose it very quickly, but also because what they were teaching us isn't how people actually talk, or actually talk in Mexico. I imagine things may be different in Spain, but as with English the language developed differently over time and space, plus the accents are different.
The little I've learned (although my reading comprehension is probably more than a little) came from a combination of spending so much time there, reading comic books, and Duolingo.
The comics books idea comes from a fellow I know who moved here from Italy. He taught himself English by reading comic books and watching Sesame Street.
But, I've found Duolingo to be an excellent way to learn a foreign language. Just a few minutes a day on one's phone and it's remarkable how much one can learn. I went very deep through the Spanish modules once, years ago, and now I try to brush up on them for a week or two before we travel down. But, of course I find I get much better after a week or two in country, by then we are headed back home though!
VW Clayton, our Assistant Grand Secretary has over three or four years become quite proficient in Spanish using just Duolingo.
I imagine that I would find Portuguese extremely challenging. The little I know of it makes it look really hard!
But, if you are learning both, I think that only points to a couple of places in the world that you'll be traveling to, and both are high on my bucket list! Whichever it is, I hope that you have a really wonderful trip!
We do have Recognized Lodges throughout Spain, Portugal, Brazil, and South America. If you want to visit a Lodge and have any Recognition questions I'm happy to assist. Also, our PGM Sam is moving to Portugal soon. I'm not sure of exactly when, but I think the move date is rapidly approaching.
I'm getting better on the Duolingo, and it does bump up the speed to where if someone who speaks the language talks with you in a cordial manner, you can pick it up. But if a passerby comes to you and talks in everyday manner, that's where fluency comes in. Only experience can hone that skill, and I'll admit I can't pick up my own language if someone talks too fast!
As Cameron noted, I did put the Duolingo skills to a real-life test. In short, I did make it from the Puerto Vallarta "aeropuerto" to the San Marino hotel, and paid for the Taxi fare, without using English. I consider it a life milestone not only to visit a foreign country, but accomplish a major task using the native language. Now, when I ordered the Double Hamburger, I must admit I froze up, only to realize I knew "Sesenta" (60) when I was a kid, but hadn't used the word in many years. Fortunately, someone there knew English and reminded me, so I was able to purchase the excellent double burger with a lot of extras for 60 pesos (about $3.25 USD at the time.) Great memories.
I’ve been using Duolingo for almost a month now. I really like the format and have been able to decipher most of the little stories. My wife and I are going to Rome in February so I hope to be able to converse at a basic level by then.
I think you will. Duolingo starts with the basics, but then it kicks into the tourism-based stuff, like "where is the hotel" or "A table for two, please."
A funny one was when we were at Derby City Burgers in Puerto Vallarta, and one of our Brothers asked a waitress, "¿Cómo está el baño?" And she chuckled and showed him where the restrooms were. When he got back, I asked him How the Bathroom was. He looked at me in a puzzled manner while the other laughed. Why would I ask how the bathroom was? "Because that's what you asked her!" The actual translation for where's the bathroom is "¿Dónde está el baño?" He thought he said that, but he didn't. We all got a laugh out of that, and so did the staff.
Duolingo probably starts off that way because of what I did, and what you're doing. Traveling to a foreign country and you want to get to know the local language to get what you need as a tourist.
Yeah, the speed is the difficult part! I imagine it is much the same for non English speakers trying to learn our language. Not to mention all the slang that changes from place to place.
I’m glad your temperatures have moderated. We’re headed to a brisk 114 degrees here in the Valley of the Sun today. I remembered just enough freshman Spanish to muddle through getting someone’s name, license, address, etc. which usually led to the person I was interacting with to believe I knew a lot more Spanish than I really did. My very limited language skills allowed me to interact on a basic level. I share this as a way to say I’ve started “learning” Italian, which is somewhat similar to Spanish and Portuguese, which is really nothing like Spanish (other than a few words) for some up coming travel we’re going to be doing. I feel pretty comfortable ordering a coffee with milk but could probably still cause an international incident. I’ve discovered that learning a new language has done for me the same things as when I first began learning the Rituals and Degrees. I would encourage everyone, regardless of age, to always seek to learn something new. It only takes a few minutes a day, which I always seem to have. I’m glad you’re back in the “writing groove” and that Mrs. Bailey didn’t take to basting you. Hope you have a great day!
114! I'd be bright red, shriveled up and nearly dead! But I know that a lot of people love it.
I took Spanish in school, and regret to say that I didn't learn a darn thing from it. Most of that was because I've found that if I don't use it, I lose it very quickly, but also because what they were teaching us isn't how people actually talk, or actually talk in Mexico. I imagine things may be different in Spain, but as with English the language developed differently over time and space, plus the accents are different.
The little I've learned (although my reading comprehension is probably more than a little) came from a combination of spending so much time there, reading comic books, and Duolingo.
The comics books idea comes from a fellow I know who moved here from Italy. He taught himself English by reading comic books and watching Sesame Street.
But, I've found Duolingo to be an excellent way to learn a foreign language. Just a few minutes a day on one's phone and it's remarkable how much one can learn. I went very deep through the Spanish modules once, years ago, and now I try to brush up on them for a week or two before we travel down. But, of course I find I get much better after a week or two in country, by then we are headed back home though!
VW Clayton, our Assistant Grand Secretary has over three or four years become quite proficient in Spanish using just Duolingo.
I imagine that I would find Portuguese extremely challenging. The little I know of it makes it look really hard!
But, if you are learning both, I think that only points to a couple of places in the world that you'll be traveling to, and both are high on my bucket list! Whichever it is, I hope that you have a really wonderful trip!
We do have Recognized Lodges throughout Spain, Portugal, Brazil, and South America. If you want to visit a Lodge and have any Recognition questions I'm happy to assist. Also, our PGM Sam is moving to Portugal soon. I'm not sure of exactly when, but I think the move date is rapidly approaching.
I'm getting better on the Duolingo, and it does bump up the speed to where if someone who speaks the language talks with you in a cordial manner, you can pick it up. But if a passerby comes to you and talks in everyday manner, that's where fluency comes in. Only experience can hone that skill, and I'll admit I can't pick up my own language if someone talks too fast!
As Cameron noted, I did put the Duolingo skills to a real-life test. In short, I did make it from the Puerto Vallarta "aeropuerto" to the San Marino hotel, and paid for the Taxi fare, without using English. I consider it a life milestone not only to visit a foreign country, but accomplish a major task using the native language. Now, when I ordered the Double Hamburger, I must admit I froze up, only to realize I knew "Sesenta" (60) when I was a kid, but hadn't used the word in many years. Fortunately, someone there knew English and reminded me, so I was able to purchase the excellent double burger with a lot of extras for 60 pesos (about $3.25 USD at the time.) Great memories.
I’ve been using Duolingo for almost a month now. I really like the format and have been able to decipher most of the little stories. My wife and I are going to Rome in February so I hope to be able to converse at a basic level by then.
I hope that you have a wonderful time in Rome!
I think you will. Duolingo starts with the basics, but then it kicks into the tourism-based stuff, like "where is the hotel" or "A table for two, please."
A funny one was when we were at Derby City Burgers in Puerto Vallarta, and one of our Brothers asked a waitress, "¿Cómo está el baño?" And she chuckled and showed him where the restrooms were. When he got back, I asked him How the Bathroom was. He looked at me in a puzzled manner while the other laughed. Why would I ask how the bathroom was? "Because that's what you asked her!" The actual translation for where's the bathroom is "¿Dónde está el baño?" He thought he said that, but he didn't. We all got a laugh out of that, and so did the staff.
Duolingo probably starts off that way because of what I did, and what you're doing. Traveling to a foreign country and you want to get to know the local language to get what you need as a tourist.
Yeah, the speed is the difficult part! I imagine it is much the same for non English speakers trying to learn our language. Not to mention all the slang that changes from place to place.