the only reason someone would pick on how well you speak is jealousy that you are having more fun with the language than you are, if we were all nice to each other the world would be a better place!!
What you have to say here Steve , is a wonderful affirmation to all of us language learners , who in our endevours to communicate with others whose language is not our own, are needy of the right to go about communcating in our chosen target languages as we see fit, without fear of unjust criticism and malign remarks about our skill levels.
Well said. Very true. In 2009 I went to Buenos Aires and become conversational in Castellano. I'd like to be fluent one day. I'm also working on italiano. When did you start learning spanish? Thanks for doing what you're doing. Very inspirational.
I'd be happy just to have 2000 characters. For a Western person to have 4000 characters is very sophisticated indeed.
I agree that everyone should be allowed to set their own targets in peace without criticism.
That having been said, we know from Pareto that you can do 80% of the effect with 20% of the work, if we focus on the frequent vocabulary. So in the same time as you'd get one language to 100% you'd get 5 languages to 80%, which seems more sensible to me.
Hey everybody, I am a polyglot like Steve is and I am fluent in 37 languages and am almost fluent in French. Please check my profile to see what languages I speak first, then if you want any lessons of any of my languages, please reply to this comment mentioning the language you want to learn and me to teach and help you. Thanks.
That's true, sometimes because of our limitations in the beginning we're too hard on ourselves, and that keeps us from talking to other people in a differente language, sure there will be a few that wiil laugh at us, but that's something that we have to overcome, the criticism is something that will never go away, but at the same time the pleasure we get by communicating in a new language is, at least for me, so rewarding that is worth the effort ..
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
You are the archetypal example of a swindler person using other persons, common in this era of internet. Do you really believe what you say? Shame on you, you are just inventing and creating things that are not proved, your hypothesis is unreal, illusory and imaginaryShow your titles or diplomas ,where have you studied? You know absolutely nothing about linguistics or semantics, liarcheat
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
What do you know about language learning? Do you have e degree in language learning? You are no mere that a poor dilettante using internet for your personal earning.
Thanks Steve, I find your videos really motivating. It seems like there is a lot of negativity in the language learning community. Some of these folks talk about language learning as if it were a moral obligation. This type of talk and negativity can be really demotivating and even demoralizing for other language learners.
I believe language learning is a worthwhile pursuit and I fully agree with you that everyone has the right (not the obligation) to study languages for their own reasons.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
It seems to me that you are not taking the language learning with the seriousness it requires, you talk too much about enjoying and having funMaybe for you is fun because you are retired and you dont need the language for a better salarybut for most of us, a foreign language means more money in our business, it means a promotionfor you is a hobby, for us is jobs and better job opportunities.
@evelioto Well, I should think we have to adopt any approch that can help learners learn the target language. It's true that our way in seeing things can have a positive impact on our language learning. I do believe that taking things easy would ease the process of learning!
@evelioto If you don't enjoy the process you're never gonna learn for real. Thinking about money and promotions you can only reach a certain level of your target language. That's why most people cannot become fluent. They take it too seriously. And I
I disagree with you about avoiding practicing a foreign language with a non-native speaker. Not always, there are chances to communicate with native speakers; you are discriminating non-native speakers of a language. Did you know than 70 % of EFL teachers are non-native speakers of the language. Instead of encourage students you are discouraging them.
I would worry about how well i speak also, probably constantly. Seeing as I sometimes struggle with English (Native) in just an occasional stutter or whatnot.
I suppose most of the worry would come from the person or persons that I'm speaking to, would not be open to me, and would become upset with me.
I also believe people should be happy in their own knowledge and not compare themselves to others. You make some good points here, Steve. Thanks for making a video on this topic. :)
I do agree that u don't need to sound fluent in a language, as long as the desired person that you wish to communicate with can understand you. But I do believe that each language has its magic. A language serves to communicate with others, but it does not necessarily have to end there, Whenever I read in Spanish, something happens in my head that makes me thoroughly enjoy it. When I read, I can read the words and speak them in my head or out loud however i want. :)
(lol)You should give in to the nay sayers. turn the light down in your videos. put on a monks robe with the hood, stop smiling. And use a feather pin with ink bottle. and tell us how hard language learning actually is.(lol)
That's right Steve! How come people don't get your message. That learning languages is not based on skill, but how much fun you have with it. If people only knew, tsk tsk tsk
One of the biggest problems in this language community is lack of respect. Not only should one be a good language learner, but they should also show respect to other language learners as well no matter what. I won't tolerate disrespectful people in this language community. Steve, keep up the good work and forget about these types of people. You have my full support.
Thanks Moses. I think it is in the nature of the web. There will always be trolls. What matters is not the trolls, but that more people realize that enjoyment is such a big part of language learning. It keeps us going. It makes us spend the time. It keeps us positive. It is 80% of the battle. I think that is what we, you and I and the other "language exhibitionists" want to generate.- enthusiasm for language learning, not concern about how we perform.
Yeah, I hate speaking with non-native speakers of the language I am learning. Everyone has potentially such a different set of vocabulary and everyone is definetely at a different skill level, but with natives you can throw anything at them and it doesn't matter. If you mess up, big whoop at worst they will think it's kind of funny and at best they will help you out.
Wrong, completely wrong, native speakers are indulgent of your mistakes, English is not my native language and it is a means of communication for me, wrong, not always native speakers are the best listeners either...and not always they want to speak with you, and in language schools you have to do pair work, where you have to speak to your classmate Its sounds discriminatory and selfish to me
Hear, hear. I've read the blog entries and, whilst I can understand the lack of satisfaction that may come with a relatively shallow understanding of a language, the only arbiter of that is the learner. Any understanding is better than none.
Billy's comment was downright unpleasant and entirely negative. For such an outspoken critic of other people's language ability his own use of English is lamentable.
I just can't see a language as an academic skill - it's a means to an end: communication.
....Eh, what? I mean, I disagree with a lot of what the guy said, but his English was absolutely fine. Is this just a generic response to someone you disagree with? I ask, because I often see such comments thrown around.
Consider that Billy is criticising Steve for boasting about language abilities while making many serious mistakes in them. I have neither the space nor the inclination to pull apart the whole rant:
Para 1, "So like," - gibberish;
Para 2 gibberish - it's neither a paragraph, nor even an articulate sentence;
Para 3 "So, like, you..." gibberish.
Billy struggles with basic syntax whilst berating Steve for daring to make mistakes. I don't consider `lamentable' to be an unfair description.
I used to be very vain when it came to my accent in foreign languages. Now it doesnt bother me that much any more. I am actually quite comfortable with my mix of Danish/British/american/Canadian accent in English. I know I can communicate with english speakers and I can watch whatever TV show in english and enjoy it.
The native speaker represents the reference. To speak like a native is perfection even though natives may stray from standard usage or may not all be equally eloquent. As learners we try to emulate the native, in most cases, at least the native form of the language that appeals to us. Not one in 100 learners will even get close. It is quite possible not to come very close and still communicate well and enjoy the language.
@lingosteve I refuse to believe that a non-native speaker cant become just as good or even better than a native speaker. I think it is all about practice. It would probably take many many years depending on ones talent, but nonetheless I do believe it is possible if the will and determination is there.
My communication skills are usually bad because of my shyness and nervousness. I want to be able to have a friendly conversation in the languages I am learning.
definitely agree- while perfection or near perfection is a good goal to aim for, the important thing is to be able to understand the language and to be understood in turn. Again, depends on the goal but I'd rather speak (for example) 2 languages very well rather than 4 languages "badly". Not respecting someone for not being perfect is same, as, say, disrespecting someone for not being good at maths or not being able to draw or something- ridiculous (unless his profession requires it of couse)
I was at a restaurant tonight, and I overheard a waiter speaking in Russian to a couple of customers. I asked him about this and he said "I don't speak Russian well, but I speak it well enough to have nice little chats with Russian customers. The same with German, English, and Italian".
I think that is great - he isn't stressed about not being fluent, He had an entirely practical use, and learned just enough to speak as well as he needs to enjoy himself and make his customers comfortable.
It seems lots of people who rely on tourists for their income are like this waiter. I went to Jordan and everyone who worked in the tourist places could speak all the major European languages well enough to sell things and chat with customers.
Muy bien! por lo que veo eres un gran maestro. no importa qué dijeron ellos. no debes preocupar. te amo jejeje besos y abrazos.
Caroline
Caroline6781 1 month ago
the only reason someone would pick on how well you speak is jealousy that you are having more fun with the language than you are, if we were all nice to each other the world would be a better place!!
GriffenJC 2 months ago
well said
scottlarsen 5 months ago
日本語でしゃべってる後 こっちの動画みたら すごいと思いました！！
messi7japan 10 months ago
What you have to say here Steve , is a wonderful affirmation to all of us language learners , who in our endevours to communicate with others whose language is not our own, are needy of the right to go about communcating in our chosen target languages as we see fit, without fear of unjust criticism and malign remarks about our skill levels.
SYNTHPAINTANN 11 months ago
Well said. Very true. In 2009 I went to Buenos Aires and become conversational in Castellano. I'd like to be fluent one day. I'm also working on italiano. When did you start learning spanish? Thanks for doing what you're doing. Very inspirational.
Mindpetals 1 year ago
@Mindpetals Mostly while hitch hiking in Spain in the sixties and a lot of reading and listening more recently.
lingosteve 1 year ago
@lingosteve Awesome!
Mindpetals 1 year ago
I'd be happy just to have 2000 characters. For a Western person to have 4000 characters is very sophisticated indeed.
I agree that everyone should be allowed to set their own targets in peace without criticism.
That having been said, we know from Pareto that you can do 80% of the effect with 20% of the work, if we focus on the frequent vocabulary. So in the same time as you'd get one language to 100% you'd get 5 languages to 80%, which seems more sensible to me.
usenetposts 1 year ago
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Hey everybody, I am a polyglot like Steve is and I am fluent in 37 languages and am almost fluent in French. Please check my profile to see what languages I speak first, then if you want any lessons of any of my languages, please reply to this comment mentioning the language you want to learn and me to teach and help you. Thanks.
Chezrocksall 1 year ago
Yeah I agree, I'm a native English speaker and I still don't know all the words.
stanthefisher 1 year ago
That's true, sometimes because of our limitations in the beginning we're too hard on ourselves, and that keeps us from talking to other people in a differente language, sure there will be a few that wiil laugh at us, but that's something that we have to overcome, the criticism is something that will never go away, but at the same time the pleasure we get by communicating in a new language is, at least for me, so rewarding that is worth the effort ..
UrStreatWrld 1 year ago
Ultimately, I dont think there is such a thing as a solid native language, but rather that one language will have influenced you more than others.
u2bealot 1 year ago
loser philosophy
tempaccou 1 year ago
4000 characters is way sufficient I think.
CheeseBubbles 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
You are the archetypal example of a swindler person using other persons, common in this era of internet. Do you really believe what you say? Shame on you, you are just inventing and creating things that are not proved, your hypothesis is unreal, illusory and imaginaryShow your titles or diplomas ,where have you studied? You know absolutely nothing about linguistics or semantics, liarcheat
phonicsquest 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
What do you know about language learning? Do you have e degree in language learning? You are no mere that a poor dilettante using internet for your personal earning.
phonicsquest 2 years ago
Have you ever been in contact with Khatzumoto, Steve?
qzchris 2 years ago
Thanks Steve, I find your videos really motivating. It seems like there is a lot of negativity in the language learning community. Some of these folks talk about language learning as if it were a moral obligation. This type of talk and negativity can be really demotivating and even demoralizing for other language learners.
I believe language learning is a worthwhile pursuit and I fully agree with you that everyone has the right (not the obligation) to study languages for their own reasons.
owenjd 2 years ago
Thanks, Steve. I love your work.
NegaSado 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
It seems to me that you are not taking the language learning with the seriousness it requires, you talk too much about enjoying and having funMaybe for you is fun because you are retired and you dont need the language for a better salarybut for most of us, a foreign language means more money in our business, it means a promotionfor you is a hobby, for us is jobs and better job opportunities.
evelioto 2 years ago
Are you serious man???
laoshu505000 2 years ago 3
@evelioto Well, I should think we have to adopt any approch that can help learners learn the target language. It's true that our way in seeing things can have a positive impact on our language learning. I do believe that taking things easy would ease the process of learning!
Elearning123 2 years ago
@evelioto If you don't enjoy the process you're never gonna learn for real. Thinking about money and promotions you can only reach a certain level of your target language. That's why most people cannot become fluent. They take it too seriously. And I
jonesnunesadm 2 months ago
I disagree with you about avoiding practicing a foreign language with a non-native speaker. Not always, there are chances to communicate with native speakers; you are discriminating non-native speakers of a language. Did you know than 70 % of EFL teachers are non-native speakers of the language. Instead of encourage students you are discouraging them.
evelioto 2 years ago 3
I would worry about how well i speak also, probably constantly. Seeing as I sometimes struggle with English (Native) in just an occasional stutter or whatnot.
I suppose most of the worry would come from the person or persons that I'm speaking to, would not be open to me, and would become upset with me.
greyday741 2 years ago
I also believe people should be happy in their own knowledge and not compare themselves to others. You make some good points here, Steve. Thanks for making a video on this topic. :)
Torbyrne 2 years ago 4
Il faut qu'on utilise le subjonctif!
C'est une blague. Mais je suis tellement d'accord avec tes opinions sur cette sujet.
Une vidéo de plus d'un qualité très haute!
Well done sir!
idiomasaur 2 years ago
I do agree that u don't need to sound fluent in a language, as long as the desired person that you wish to communicate with can understand you. But I do believe that each language has its magic. A language serves to communicate with others, but it does not necessarily have to end there, Whenever I read in Spanish, something happens in my head that makes me thoroughly enjoy it. When I read, I can read the words and speak them in my head or out loud however i want. :)
RyuPiu 2 years ago
(lol)You should give in to the nay sayers. turn the light down in your videos. put on a monks robe with the hood, stop smiling. And use a feather pin with ink bottle. and tell us how hard language learning actually is.(lol)
27yrs 2 years ago 3
That's right Steve! How come people don't get your message. That learning languages is not based on skill, but how much fun you have with it. If people only knew, tsk tsk tsk
27yrs 2 years ago 3
And whose business is it anyway.
zocurtis 2 years ago
One of the biggest problems in this language community is lack of respect. Not only should one be a good language learner, but they should also show respect to other language learners as well no matter what. I won't tolerate disrespectful people in this language community. Steve, keep up the good work and forget about these types of people. You have my full support.
laoshu505000 2 years ago 10
Thanks Moses. I think it is in the nature of the web. There will always be trolls. What matters is not the trolls, but that more people realize that enjoyment is such a big part of language learning. It keeps us going. It makes us spend the time. It keeps us positive. It is 80% of the battle. I think that is what we, you and I and the other "language exhibitionists" want to generate.- enthusiasm for language learning, not concern about how we perform.
lingosteve 2 years ago
Yeah, I hate speaking with non-native speakers of the language I am learning. Everyone has potentially such a different set of vocabulary and everyone is definetely at a different skill level, but with natives you can throw anything at them and it doesn't matter. If you mess up, big whoop at worst they will think it's kind of funny and at best they will help you out.
DerReisendeGaijin 2 years ago 3
Wrong, completely wrong, native speakers are indulgent of your mistakes, English is not my native language and it is a means of communication for me, wrong, not always native speakers are the best listeners either...and not always they want to speak with you, and in language schools you have to do pair work, where you have to speak to your classmate Its sounds discriminatory and selfish to me
evelioto 2 years ago 2
Hear, hear. I've read the blog entries and, whilst I can understand the lack of satisfaction that may come with a relatively shallow understanding of a language, the only arbiter of that is the learner. Any understanding is better than none.
Billy's comment was downright unpleasant and entirely negative. For such an outspoken critic of other people's language ability his own use of English is lamentable.
I just can't see a language as an academic skill - it's a means to an end: communication.
acromel 2 years ago 4
"his own use of English is lamentable"
....Eh, what? I mean, I disagree with a lot of what the guy said, but his English was absolutely fine. Is this just a generic response to someone you disagree with? I ask, because I often see such comments thrown around.
Kouziren 2 years ago
Consider that Billy is criticising Steve for boasting about language abilities while making many serious mistakes in them. I have neither the space nor the inclination to pull apart the whole rant:
Para 1, "So like," - gibberish;
Para 2 gibberish - it's neither a paragraph, nor even an articulate sentence;
Para 3 "So, like, you..." gibberish.
Billy struggles with basic syntax whilst berating Steve for daring to make mistakes. I don't consider `lamentable' to be an unfair description.
acromel 2 years ago
Ah right, sorry man, I didn't realize there were two people. I thought for some reason you were referring to "Harry".
Kouziren 2 years ago
No problem :o)
Harry's English is very good - he writes well. Although I still disagree with him. It's just Billy that irked me ;o)
acromel 2 years ago
I used to be very vain when it came to my accent in foreign languages. Now it doesnt bother me that much any more. I am actually quite comfortable with my mix of Danish/British/american/Canadian accent in English. I know I can communicate with english speakers and I can watch whatever TV show in english and enjoy it.
u2bealot 2 years ago 2
You talk about perfection. Do you mean that a native speaker is perfect and that perfection is out the a non-native speakers reach?
u2bealot 2 years ago
The native speaker represents the reference. To speak like a native is perfection even though natives may stray from standard usage or may not all be equally eloquent. As learners we try to emulate the native, in most cases, at least the native form of the language that appeals to us. Not one in 100 learners will even get close. It is quite possible not to come very close and still communicate well and enjoy the language.
lingosteve 2 years ago
@lingosteve I refuse to believe that a non-native speaker cant become just as good or even better than a native speaker. I think it is all about practice. It would probably take many many years depending on ones talent, but nonetheless I do believe it is possible if the will and determination is there.
u2bealot 1 year ago
My communication skills are usually bad because of my shyness and nervousness. I want to be able to have a friendly conversation in the languages I am learning.
coolsteven2 2 years ago 3
definitely agree- while perfection or near perfection is a good goal to aim for, the important thing is to be able to understand the language and to be understood in turn. Again, depends on the goal but I'd rather speak (for example) 2 languages very well rather than 4 languages "badly". Not respecting someone for not being perfect is same, as, say, disrespecting someone for not being good at maths or not being able to draw or something- ridiculous (unless his profession requires it of couse)
yuriythebest 2 years ago
very very true.
it's ridiculous to test grammar while speaking because not even the native speakers use the correct grammar all the time.
entaroduai 2 years ago 2
I was at a restaurant tonight, and I overheard a waiter speaking in Russian to a couple of customers. I asked him about this and he said "I don't speak Russian well, but I speak it well enough to have nice little chats with Russian customers. The same with German, English, and Italian".
I think that is great - he isn't stressed about not being fluent, He had an entirely practical use, and learned just enough to speak as well as he needs to enjoy himself and make his customers comfortable.
Silvuschka 2 years ago
It seems lots of people who rely on tourists for their income are like this waiter. I went to Jordan and everyone who worked in the tourist places could speak all the major European languages well enough to sell things and chat with customers.
saxquiz 2 years ago
5 stars !!! My goal is always to be able to communicate without thinking !
loki2504 2 years ago 8