J.C.’s Comments (group member since Apr 07, 2023)

J.C.’s comments from the Language Learners and Polyglots group.

Peter wrote: "Berengaria wrote: " ... How do you plan to expand your vocab this year?"

I feel compelled to answer as well. When reading or doing Duolingo I write new words into my Ankiweb app. In Anki I learn a..."
That is something (the language of the invader/oppressor) that I have always had in mind when visiting countries formerly under Soviet rule. I learned a little Czech, but relied more there on my daughter who was with me, as she had sensibly learned spoken phrases rather than my attempt to learn something of the structure! Romanian went better although I sometimes tried to use French and discovered that their second language of choice is Italian! But, trying to learn a few Croatian phrases for my coming trip in July, I find that I am substituting my long-ago attempts at Russian, which is making me nervous about trying the Croatian in case I upset anyone.
Thanks for all the links and useful info everyone sends in!
Learning a language can be useful when it comes to parking offences! I remember once, having innocently led my then French boyfriend and his French car onto double yellow lines, pretending to a policeman to be French (but you wouldn't get away with that nowadays!).

Berengaria, thank you for your supportive comments! I didn't know about it being a common thing to shift one's goals when language learning independently. You are right, reading and writing are what I do most in both my main languages, reading books and magazines, and writing emails and short reviews for Goodreads, or poems. There is one Welsh speaker here on the island whom I see occasionally. We exchange a few words, and I listen to Welsh programmes.
There is also a Frenchman living here with whom I normally speak French, although again we meet only occasionally. Since I was a French teacher by profession, and still teach my grandchildren, I can speak and understand French easily, although not quite as fluently as I once did. I have German friends, with whom I should try to speak German, but they have such excellent English! My grandson and I are studying German together, as I have forgotten a lot. It is definitely hard to keep up the speaking skills, with the limited opportunities I have.
So, yes, reading and writing are dominant. The sense of 'belonging', though, comes with interaction with people, and having one's efforts in shops appreciated! I expect to be spending a few days in Croatia in July so I must learn a few shop phrases and please's and thank-you's!
Do you get much chance to speak Welsh or Icelandic?

Berengaria wrote: "That's a good point, Jeanne...

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

We're all reading in our languages which is great. You only increase vocabulary, reinforce good grammar and gain an appreciation for "natural" sou..."
Berengia, I think you make an excellent point about the dominance of reading and writing in our technological world. I suppose you could say that there are more opportunities for speaking too, online. When I enrolled with the Welsh University's beginner courses, I had in mind (in about ten years' time) being able to appreciate Cynghangedd, Welsh formal poetry, and even trying my hand at it for my own pleasure. But I found that the beginner courses focus on speaking as well as the grammatical structure of Welsh, and it's such fun! As the class has gone on I have visited Wales and began my linguistic adventure by discussing the price of the Bara Brith I wanted in a baker's shop, and which size. My husband said as we left the shop that the assistant had answered me as if I were a native speaker. I still feel that moment of elation in the shop!
My online class happens as my working week ends. But however tired I may feel at the beginning of class, by the end I'm refreshed and have a great sense of achievement.
As you say, it depends on one's goals. But I have discovered that they can change! My sense of my Welsh heritage is growing through verbal interaction with others.

Berengaria wrote: "Peter wrote: "@Berengaria: Furthermore there are courses on Youtube and old textbooks that can be accessed for free. The main question is pronounciation as there are some differences between the sp..."

It is so true that language resources are dependent on public demand. I watched "Patagonia" with Huw Edwards recently (the Welsh 'settlers' community) and how saw Welsh there is benefitting from the current marketability of Welsh, along with the general popularity of taking holidays to places where minority languages and cultures obtain.

Fascinating points - I have to go to work but will get back to this after work (and my Welsh class)!

Berengaria, thank you for your detailed response. I knew something of what you say from seeing your posts for a long time on my brother Ian's reviews. Mae'n dda i gwrdd â chi yma! As you say, lots and lots of resources for Welsh, thanks to the government target. I have put two short reviews in Welsh on GR, of simple books from the Amdani series. I don't mind if there are lots of mistakes - I just like to do it. If I read a French book I review it in French, with an English version, which a couple of GR friends have asked me to do.
For Old Norse/Icelandic I am using Jesse L Byock 's Old Norse Readers, which I think are very good, as well as the Zoëga Old Icelandic Dictionary. But with learning Welsh, these books have had to take a back seat. I don't aim to learn to speak Icelandic, just to be able to use it if I ever go back to the book I started.
Do you find you get mixed up between all your Germanic languages? I find that with Gaelic and Welsh.
I am trying to find something encouraging to say about the UK post-Brexit but so far am failing miserably . . . the double entendre there on "miserably" is intended!
Best wishes, Jeanne

Thank you so much for your kind comment, Peter. So nice to hear that you love Welsh and know something of where I was born and brought up (my mother was Welsh). I was lucky enough to be taught a little Welsh in Junior School, but when I was twelve my family left Wales for my father's homeland, Scotland, and I have lived in the Highlands and Islands ever since. So I have some Gaelic, and I have been re-learning Welsh since the classes went online during the Covid period.
I am fluent in French and have school-level German. I can read and write German but my spoken level is atrocious! I have a very slight acquaintance with Russian from some years ago and have dipped into a couple of other languages when I have visited their countries, not retaining much of them later but at least feeling I had made an effort! Old Norse/Icelandic got off to a good start (for a book I was writing) but I couldn't keep up with it timewise. Maybe it's for retirement!
I admire your range and commitment!
Reading Montaigne just now for a group run by Fionnuala and Kalliope.

Berengaria wrote: "Hey Peter!

I'm very touched that another person enjoyed the group last year. I saw you were reading something in Dutch at the moment which you got from a friend in the Netherlands. Geweldig!"
"Geweldig" - "Bendigedig" in Welsh!
Thank you to Peter and others who set up this group - I enjoyed the comments on the '22 page this morning.