Really enjoyed reading this, C Simone. I especially appreciate how you frame linguistics as something that explains communication rather than replaces it.
When I took that introductory course in Spanish, my teacher shared cultural and contextual insights, which I found really valuable — even though, as a learner, it sometimes felt overwhelming while I was still trying to remember the basic words and forms.
What you say about understanding the “why” behind language and how it clarifies communication makes a lot of sense. Your piece captures that deeper layer beautifully.
I’m curious — when I was attempting to learn Spanish, I often found myself translating in my head: “Here is an apple… okay, what’s that word in Spanish?” My brain would think in English first, then consciously search for the Spanish word. Once someone achieves fluency in a second or third language, as you have, how does that process change when switching between languages?
Finally, do you have a get out of jail free card? 😊
Appreciate your thoughtful comments so much Kevin! Thank you so much!😊
At first when learning a foreign language, translating in our first language in our minds is what we naturally do.
As time goes on that translation starts to fade as the language become more familiar. Some signs of making huge progress are; thinking in the 2nd / 3rd language, 2. Dreaming in that foreign language.
If in a group where 2 languages are spoken e.g. some speak English and some speak Spanish, the person who has progressed very well will be able to flow from one to another quite effortlessly if they have regular conversational practice with the foreign language. This can happen even at an intermediate level if the person has been practising the language very frequently, they may not know all the expressions / vocabulary or even grammar rules but they know enough to hold a good conversation in the foreign language.
The issue with learning a 3rd language that I found at first which can creep up is mixing words e.g. pronunciation of similar words, take the word television (télévision in Fr and televisión in Sp) In Fr it sounds like tEh-lEh-vis-zee-on (é is more stressed) in Sp - tell-lay-viz-zee-On (the ó is more stressed) That individual has to practice understanding the phonics in all languages and identify the false friends (words that look similar but have completely different meanings). The time can vary from person to person yet my advice is to focus on one language at a time & when moving onto a third, still 'check in' on the second as like a muscle, if it's not trained, it can get depleted.
Thank you so much for the detailed explanation, C Simone. 😊
This is something I’ve always wondered about. What you said about introducing a third language—and sometimes mixing up words with similar pronunciations—would definitely be tricky.
You’re welcome Kevin! It is at first, I’ve had a total of 3 Spanish teachers, out of them 2 asked “Do you speak French?” It was clear that I was pronuncing some words like they would sound in French and this made me focus even more on the phonics of Spanish and soon that Fr accent disappeared when speaking español. It’s possible, I just have to contain myself from learning more right now, I tried to begin learning Turkish and thought ‘No, not yet, focus on Spanish.’ Yet I have Italian and Turkish lined up to learn…I think Italian would be the next one based on its similarities to Spanish, it may be easier.
It’s interesting that your teachers questioned you about speaking French. Now that you’ve cleared up the phonics, you’re well on your way to the next language, and you already have a couple queued up. Best of luck when you decide to take that leap.
Really enjoyed reading this, C Simone. I especially appreciate how you frame linguistics as something that explains communication rather than replaces it.
When I took that introductory course in Spanish, my teacher shared cultural and contextual insights, which I found really valuable — even though, as a learner, it sometimes felt overwhelming while I was still trying to remember the basic words and forms.
What you say about understanding the “why” behind language and how it clarifies communication makes a lot of sense. Your piece captures that deeper layer beautifully.
I’m curious — when I was attempting to learn Spanish, I often found myself translating in my head: “Here is an apple… okay, what’s that word in Spanish?” My brain would think in English first, then consciously search for the Spanish word. Once someone achieves fluency in a second or third language, as you have, how does that process change when switching between languages?
Finally, do you have a get out of jail free card? 😊
Your get out of jail 'free' card is to write a sentence in Spanish on this post and practice saying it each day! 😅😊
Para mantenerse fuera de problemas, hay que aprender un idioma con base en la lingüística. 😊
Excelente 😄 Me alegra. Estaré listo para cuando hagas esas comprobaciones aleatorias ✨
Appreciate your thoughtful comments so much Kevin! Thank you so much!😊
At first when learning a foreign language, translating in our first language in our minds is what we naturally do.
As time goes on that translation starts to fade as the language become more familiar. Some signs of making huge progress are; thinking in the 2nd / 3rd language, 2. Dreaming in that foreign language.
If in a group where 2 languages are spoken e.g. some speak English and some speak Spanish, the person who has progressed very well will be able to flow from one to another quite effortlessly if they have regular conversational practice with the foreign language. This can happen even at an intermediate level if the person has been practising the language very frequently, they may not know all the expressions / vocabulary or even grammar rules but they know enough to hold a good conversation in the foreign language.
The issue with learning a 3rd language that I found at first which can creep up is mixing words e.g. pronunciation of similar words, take the word television (télévision in Fr and televisión in Sp) In Fr it sounds like tEh-lEh-vis-zee-on (é is more stressed) in Sp - tell-lay-viz-zee-On (the ó is more stressed) That individual has to practice understanding the phonics in all languages and identify the false friends (words that look similar but have completely different meanings). The time can vary from person to person yet my advice is to focus on one language at a time & when moving onto a third, still 'check in' on the second as like a muscle, if it's not trained, it can get depleted.
Great questions Kevin 😊
Thank you so much for the detailed explanation, C Simone. 😊
This is something I’ve always wondered about. What you said about introducing a third language—and sometimes mixing up words with similar pronunciations—would definitely be tricky.
You’re welcome Kevin! It is at first, I’ve had a total of 3 Spanish teachers, out of them 2 asked “Do you speak French?” It was clear that I was pronuncing some words like they would sound in French and this made me focus even more on the phonics of Spanish and soon that Fr accent disappeared when speaking español. It’s possible, I just have to contain myself from learning more right now, I tried to begin learning Turkish and thought ‘No, not yet, focus on Spanish.’ Yet I have Italian and Turkish lined up to learn…I think Italian would be the next one based on its similarities to Spanish, it may be easier.
Hope you have a wonderful day! ✨
Thank you, C Simone!
It’s interesting that your teachers questioned you about speaking French. Now that you’ve cleared up the phonics, you’re well on your way to the next language, and you already have a couple queued up. Best of luck when you decide to take that leap.
Have a great day, my friend! ✨
Good I have someone in jail with me!!!
Haha, it’s not how I envisioned meeting you Ria!! 😊
Oh damn it.. you got me I'm in mispronunciation jail lol. My score is too embarassing but who cares ey? I got 4 😂😂😂
Great article C, I enjoyed this and it was interactive and made me reflect! Right back to my lunch break! Keep it up!
😅 Thanks for taking part Ria, and for your honesty!!
Y claro sabes que soy española entonces saqué 10 en español jajaja.
100%
¡Qué maravilla! Saqué un 15, fuera de la cárcel jajaja.💃🎊
Claro que siiii eres española 😊🌹🌹