I speak English, I’m learning my heritage language Norwegian.

  • FinjaminPoach@lemmy.world
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    5 days ago

    I’ve tried Spanish, German, Japanese, Esperanto, and a smattering of others. I just don’t have the mental temperament for language learning, I’m a math guy.

    It’s funny you mention the math because i hear english is bizarrely efficient as a language (maybe from various distinct formation languages competiting in order to shape modern english)

    I promised my wife I’d learn her native language alongside our future children, but that’s a future me problem.

    Given how long it takes you might want to get started tomorrow! You can make it easier bettee for yourself by finding a fun way to do it; e.g start with duolingo for basics then play a game/watch a movie you know well in that language.

    • agamemnonymous@sh.itjust.works
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      5 days ago

      It’s funny you mention the math because i hear english is bizarrely efficient as a language

      Maybe, but I think it’s mostly just that it’s my native language and I was a voracious reader in my childhood so I got really good at it. I do appreciate the Germanic composite nature, but I didn’t, like, actively choose English.

      Given how long it takes you might want to get started tomorrow!

      Eh, like I said, that’s a future me problem. I think the “fun” way is going to be learning along with my kids. Start with the basics, consume simple media, immersion, all that. I’m not too worried about it, if I need to supplement with other methods I’ll supplement. But I think the time it takes the kids to become fluent will be long and gradual enough to work for me.