It is something we do really naturally here in this house, and something that I do at work...which seems more obvious as a language teacher. You see, my Dad arrived this evening, and it made me realise the amount of time that we spend discussing language and accent and pronunciation and syntax etc etc etc....
In an average evening of conversation we will, at least Youngest and I will, easily have 4+ conversations that circle around language use, and if she is reading something to me, as she was this evening, this may well include several minor pronunciation corrections as well....some typical for her age group, for instance the pronunciation of 'Ella Fitzgerald', and some less typical for her age group but relevant to her life experience.
We'll typically range through 2 − 3 languages, both in discussion and use: English, Catalan and sometimes Spanish, but as Youngest is very keen to learn French and will be starting lessons in the new year, to her glee, we did get to that this evening, and even touched on Latin which Eldest is studying and which my dad has also learned something about. So tonight? We got to 5 different languages. English is, however, dominant. Hands down.
It is neat and fascinating that we can have these conversations at all, and even neater that we are all so fascinated by them.
5 comments:
Neat :). I don't think I need to tell you what I think of languages :p. Although I don't have so many linguistic discussions at home anymore. Guess those'll pop up more, especially when I *finally* seriously start learning Czech...
If Eldest need any help with French, feel free to ask ;).
Sounds great! I'm sure you have lots of fodder for these discussions at your house! I was just at this very moment correcting my sons on the pronunciation of "Thailand" (they were saying the "th" like "thumb", not "Thomas.")
I have always admired those who are linguists and have an ease with more than one language. Having lived all my life in a place where language is forefront and often contentious, I see the values of speaking more than one. Yay for lively conversations! It must be nice to have your dad for the holidays.
it's Youngest with the passion for French, I'll take her to Paris in the spring to practice! I will ask if we get really stuck...thanks!
Kate...you folks also must have much to discuss on the topic. Have you heard anything about the exams yet?
Bodhi...I am not sure I would ever call myself a linguist, there are folks for whom language just comes so naturally....I so struggle.....but it is rewarding. I am having fun discovering how good my Spanish is!
oreneta, nothing yet on the exam...
I just read your post about the wallet theft-- yikes!!!
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