So it has come to this, I’ve started a blog.
I am basically a Luddite too, maybe not the violence part, but definitely the I’m-not-a-huge-adapter-to-technology-part. I keep my phones until they are updated out of existence (I stayed with Nokia until the bitter end).The fact that now, in their zillith year, I am now discovering blogs seems just about right.
Really, the only thing I know how to do with computers is type on them, so I have absolutely no business doing this. It is just that I need some help, some community, some accountability. (link?)
Language learning is hard……….
Learning a minority language is even harder. Not only do you have to work harder to find all the (any) resources, you are likely all on your own.
People who run marathons have groups, even people who run marathons in deserts have groups. People learning obscure languages should also have groups!
……….but much easier with someone else
I am not a polyglot, not an anything-glot. Just a regular person with a job and kids and poor time management skills….but I want to do this. I bet you want to do this too. Let’s do it together.
How should we start?
There are a few ways to do this. If you are at the absolute beginning of your language journey I recommend that you start with the set “homework”.(link) Spoken languages are structured via sounds. By starting with them way you set the base for everything else. (link) (link) (link)
What else?
The other way to do it is to check back here and see how I am coming along with my goal. I will be giving regular check-ins to share with you how I am (or am not progressing–feel free to write-in and remind me to get on it!)
Are you learning Irish?
So am I! I will have some specific post related to the joys and trials of trying for the ‘cupla focal’. If you are not, then write in and tell us what you are learning. Someone else out there is learning your language too. Send in your best tips (and gripes 🙂 about your language.
Let’s set some goals…..
Runners have races, gym rats track the weight they can lift. Language learners need milestones too. Maybe you want to have a complete conversation with your grandmother in her original language, or not seem too much like an idiot the next time your travel. Whatever it is, things seem to move along better when you can measure them. Find something specific and work towards it.
2020 Declension Destroyer!
Many languages have official testing bodies with fancy sounding names. They often give proficiency exams. These are excellent trackers. I know, what? I am going to start taking tests for fun? A test is just a tracker. You are out of school now, no one will rap your knuckles if you fail. This is for you to see how you are doing. It is just like the races that runners do (just no t-shirts; “I crushed my conjugations 2020”, “Verb-master”)
My goal for 2021 is to be able to take (and pass) the A2 TEG language exam when (if?, no let’s be an optimists, when) it is given in spring 2021.
What do you want to do? (link to lang exams)
(link to language milestones)