One thing that I am constantly fascinated by here is how many languages people speak. In Belgium, there are 2 official languages: French and Dutch. The country is pretty equally divided, with northern Belgium (call the Flanders region) speaking Dutch, and the southern areas (Wallonia region) speaking French. There is also a small German speaking community in eastern Wallonia that adds to the linguistic diversity of Belgium. The Brussels-Capitol region is within Flanders (Dutch area), and is offically bilingual, but is predominantly French speaking. The European Union and NATO are also headquartered in Brussels so that also brings many other foreigners (and languages) into the city.
The first 2 people I met here were colleagues of Ryans, both of whom speak 5 languages fluently. Initially, I thought they were such an anomalie, but as I have met many more people, I am finding that I am the anomalie -the one who only speaks one language. At 10 years old, Belgian children begin learning their non-mother tongue national language (so French kids learn Dutch, and visa versa). As children hit high school many learn German (and they actually LEARN it, not like high school languages in the States - or I am the only one who didn't get anything out of my required 2 years of language in high school?) Native Belgians aren't the only people speaking many different languages either. I have met quite a few international families who speak 2, 3, and 4 languages in their homes. I am most fascinated by these families and their small children who speak all of the languages fluently as well. I am not only fascinated, but wildly envious.
When I first found out that we were coming here, I decided immediately that I wanted our whole family to learn French. I thought of it as the perfect opportunity to become fluent in another language, which is something I have always wanted to do. I knew it would come easy for the kids with them being immersed in school, and with Ryan's portugese base to work from, he's already light-years ahead of me. But me? Well, you've already heard some of my adventures in french (or rather spanish) and time is flying by here so quickly. Although I have picked up a couple of key phrases, I am not even close to functional, much less fluent, so I decided it was time to take some action. With Ryan's help I found some classes at the local community college and registered last week for the semester. It's 6 credits of french classes and I figure if I do 4 semesters of french (2 years worth) I will be in the super-advanced french class by the time I am done and fluency will be mine! Or that is the hope.
Classes start tomorrow night and I am really excited, not only to go to school, but to actually use my brain for an intellectual pursuit, assuming it still functions in that capacity....
The first 2 people I met here were colleagues of Ryans, both of whom speak 5 languages fluently. Initially, I thought they were such an anomalie, but as I have met many more people, I am finding that I am the anomalie -the one who only speaks one language. At 10 years old, Belgian children begin learning their non-mother tongue national language (so French kids learn Dutch, and visa versa). As children hit high school many learn German (and they actually LEARN it, not like high school languages in the States - or I am the only one who didn't get anything out of my required 2 years of language in high school?) Native Belgians aren't the only people speaking many different languages either. I have met quite a few international families who speak 2, 3, and 4 languages in their homes. I am most fascinated by these families and their small children who speak all of the languages fluently as well. I am not only fascinated, but wildly envious.
When I first found out that we were coming here, I decided immediately that I wanted our whole family to learn French. I thought of it as the perfect opportunity to become fluent in another language, which is something I have always wanted to do. I knew it would come easy for the kids with them being immersed in school, and with Ryan's portugese base to work from, he's already light-years ahead of me. But me? Well, you've already heard some of my adventures in french (or rather spanish) and time is flying by here so quickly. Although I have picked up a couple of key phrases, I am not even close to functional, much less fluent, so I decided it was time to take some action. With Ryan's help I found some classes at the local community college and registered last week for the semester. It's 6 credits of french classes and I figure if I do 4 semesters of french (2 years worth) I will be in the super-advanced french class by the time I am done and fluency will be mine! Or that is the hope.
Classes start tomorrow night and I am really excited, not only to go to school, but to actually use my brain for an intellectual pursuit, assuming it still functions in that capacity....
10 comments:
Lisa, have you ever seen You Tube's "One Semester of Spanish Love Song?" It is hilarious, and it pretty much sums up the amount of foreign language we learn in the states. Look it up, and you'll get a good laugh. Good luck with the French class!! You'll be fluent before you know it.
that's awesome! good luck!
I am envious too. I took 4 years of french in both junior high and high school and can barley say a few phrases. Good luck with your classes!
Good for you. I love how you try new things and have such a love for life!
You are so busy.. before you know it, you'll be doing this all over again back to the states.
and you thought your brain was too ried to go back to school like I did...well...I think you'll get a little more out of your class than I did, but I'm proud of you and a little jealous...I;d love to speak another language
you will be great. in fact the leader of the class i am sure. i can't wait to hear your sexy new lingo. :> so love hearing that things are going well - i know i say that a lot but seriously love it. :>
It's a sure thing if you don't give up in the middle of things. The hard part is getting the people to speak to you in French when you're trying, through all your jumbles, to convey a message. Enjoy your classes. They sound like fun.
Wow you go girl!! Good luck! I felt like I was doing good just learning ASL but I better start working on something else.
That is awesome your back in school. You are the best at sharing what goes on in the country you are living in. I can picture myself in your details and love reading all you have to say.
Emily
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