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Mehmet
With or Without Cultural Background
You guys, have you decided to learn a language and managed to learn it consistently up to the advanced level?
I've always observed that many people want to learn many languages but few can do it without giving up. No matter how popular that language is. Most people tend to learn words and popular cultures rather only than the traditional cultures with literary works, proverbs, jokes, great historical events, abandoned customs. That's why their studies don't actually make sense for themselves.
My knowledges about the authentic cultures of England and the USA are limited in comparison with the popular culture, yet I sometimes talk with my American friend about these matters to learn more.
I absolutely learn new things or remember my former knowledges about the prehispanic cultures of Spanish America when I talk to my friends from there.
I also read about the traditional matters in my other foreign languages.
That's why learning languages make sense for me. What about you?
Apr 28, 2020 7:05 AM
Comments · 3
The previous history and culture of a nation is what makes the language. All nations have words that come from their history and their culture and customs. That's why words in the native language only make sense to natives and when learners hear these words, in the new language they are dumfounded, and they think the other language is illogical, but it isn't.
April 28, 2020
The advanced level already accumulates the cultural aspect of a language (at least 20 to 30%). The cultural heritage is well reflected in the tangue you are struggling with. You may not know the history of the people but the advanced language material is partial based on the cultural background of the country (idioms, winged expressions, proper names etc.).
April 28, 2020
I dare to say that not everybody needs to learn a language to an advanced level. Unless you are in academia you are sure capable of doing well in most life contexts having an intermediate level and good communication skills. But yes, as you said, if you like learning about other cultures from within, getting to the roots, history then a language becomes a learning tool to satisfy your natural curiosity. And that’s great. I personally like to observe, experience, get in contact with and discuss the present life of different cultures—how they communicate with one another, what their attitudes to work/life/women/time, etc. are, what and how they eat, and so on. It’s fascinating to realize how different, yet so similar we are.
April 28, 2020
