Poll: If you had a lot of free time, would you start learning another foreign language? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "If you had a lot of free time, would you start learning another foreign language?".
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I regret having lived in Belgium for 30 years without learning Flemish/Dutch, but by then I had no free time at all…
| | | | Lieven Malaise 
Belgium
Local time: 11:56
Member (2020)
French to Dutch
+ ...
I would use that time to spend way more time outside than I do now.
| | | | | No, I would strengthen the ones I already know | Nov 12, 2024 |
I am already trying to learn a language (Italian). I might spend more time on it, but I might also go back and revive the other languages I have forgotten!
As I get older, I find it is not so easy to pick up a new language.
I explained once to a young friend that you get further in the world with a smattering of five or six languages than you do with perfect English! That is my experience. The whole world does NOT speak English, but with a few well selected basics in ... See more I am already trying to learn a language (Italian). I might spend more time on it, but I might also go back and revive the other languages I have forgotten!
As I get older, I find it is not so easy to pick up a new language.
I explained once to a young friend that you get further in the world with a smattering of five or six languages than you do with perfect English! That is my experience. The whole world does NOT speak English, but with a few well selected basics in the local language and willingness to learn more, you can usually get help. People worry less about their mistakes in whatever language they can muster, and the message comes across.
On the other hand, it is more fun if you are fluent and can go beyond polite phrases and ordering meals. It is definitely worth learning a language properly, so you can read a newspaper, learn about the culture and really talk to people.
[Edited at 2024-11-12 11:59 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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Lingua 5B
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Local time: 11:56
English to French
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No, I would use that time for other interests/hobbies/projects.
| | | | Novian Cahyadi (X)
Local time: 16:56
I'd love to properly learn Japanese. Back when I was a teenager, I attempted to learn the language on and off. You can say it's my second foreign language after (American) English. It didn't go anywhere even after 10 years doing it. I can sort of speak Japanese and understand what people are talking about to a very limited extent. But reading and writing? Pfft. 
My greatest obstacle is the basic 2,000 kanji.... See more I'd love to properly learn Japanese. Back when I was a teenager, I attempted to learn the language on and off. You can say it's my second foreign language after (American) English. It didn't go anywhere even after 10 years doing it. I can sort of speak Japanese and understand what people are talking about to a very limited extent. But reading and writing? Pfft.
My greatest obstacle is the basic 2,000 kanji. And then there are some more that would only show up in certain topics. I do understand the concept. What caused me issues is they have different pronunciations, which depend on the characters that come before and after it. This has always been incredibly complicated for me.
I would love to be fluent in German and Turkish as well. But realistically speaking, I think I can only maintain 3 languages at most.
[Edited at 2024-11-12 13:25 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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I'm quite fine with my working languages.
One of the things I might do is specialise in an area I really like and work with professionals from other areas.
I tried to study a language that has nothing to do with European languages, but I gave up due to lack of time.
All in all, I've learnt a lot about the culture, but it's difficult to speak and write it. I understand very little.
Also, at university I was also studying another language, but I didn't go any further becaus... See more I'm quite fine with my working languages.
One of the things I might do is specialise in an area I really like and work with professionals from other areas.
I tried to study a language that has nothing to do with European languages, but I gave up due to lack of time.
All in all, I've learnt a lot about the culture, but it's difficult to speak and write it. I understand very little.
Also, at university I was also studying another language, but I didn't go any further because I didn't like the teacher at all!
I think the most important thing is to perfect my native language and keep it alive, and to improve my other languages... which is what I always try to do, every day. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Peter Simon
Netherlands
Local time: 11:56
English to Hungarian
+ ...
| I do have time | Nov 12, 2024 |
Because I'm partly retired, I have time, and I use a very large part of it to learn languages. Not for work purposes, just for the fun of it, without pressure. There've been a few things I missed out on earlier, like German, forgot Russian and French, so I'm making up for those missed opportunities. Enjoying it, just for the sake of it.
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IrinaN (X)
United States
Local time: 04:56
English to Russian
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Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida wrote:
I regret having lived in Belgium for 30 years without learning Flemish/Dutch, but by then I had no free time at all…
Nothing to add except for changing Flemish/Dutch to Spanish.
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I would have improved my Spanish (I stopped at A2). Now, I'm learning Serbian/Montenegrin, but only because I live in Montenegro, and having the language all around me is the only factor driving the learning process forward. Otherwise, I would not have the time, unfortunately.
| | | | Baran Keki
Türkiye
Local time: 12:56
Member
English to Turkish
| Yes, absolutely! | Nov 13, 2024 |
Yes, absolutely! Learning a new language is fascinating and rewarding. It opens up so many doors to understanding new cultures, ways of thinking, and even different histories. Plus, it’s great for keeping the mind sharp.
Thanks to AI, freelance translators have now a lot of free time on their hands to pursue their hobbies and interests! At one time it used to be "all work and no play", now it's "all play and no work", isn't that wonderful?
Youtube, a popular video st... See more Yes, absolutely! Learning a new language is fascinating and rewarding. It opens up so many doors to understanding new cultures, ways of thinking, and even different histories. Plus, it’s great for keeping the mind sharp.
Thanks to AI, freelance translators have now a lot of free time on their hands to pursue their hobbies and interests! At one time it used to be "all work and no play", now it's "all play and no work", isn't that wonderful?
Youtube, a popular video streaming site, offers free of charge language learning facilities for every conceivable language. Just set aside enough money to pay for your electricity and internet bills and enjoy the free lessons there while starving due to lack of work! ▲ Collapse
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I would take time for by hobbies: crocheting, cardmaking and reading books
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Baran Keki wrote:
Yes, absolutely! Learning a new language is fascinating and rewarding. It opens up so many doors to understanding new cultures, ways of thinking, and even different histories. Plus, it’s great for keeping the mind sharp.
Thanks to AI, freelance translators have now a lot of free time on their hands to pursue their hobbies and interests! At one time it used to be "all work and no play", now it's "all play and no work", isn't that wonderful?
Youtube, a popular video streaming site, offers free of charge language learning facilities for every conceivable language. Just set aside enough money to pay for your electricity and internet bills and enjoy the free lessons there while starving due to lack of work!
Try to learn Portuguese by reading Saramago 😁
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