This post is courtesy ofa Special Guest Blogger:
Americans are famous for not being fluent in a second language.This situation is captured in this classic joke:
What do you call someone who speaks three languages? Trilingual
What do you call someone who speaks two languages? Bilingual
What do you call someone who speaks one language? American
So how long does it take to acquire a second language?
The US Foreign Service Institute estimates basic fluency in the “easy” languages (examples: French,German, Indonesian,Italian, Portuguese,Spanish, Swahili) should take 480 hours, and for “difficult” languages (examples: Greek, Hindi, Persian, Urdu, Amharic,Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Thai, Turkish, Vietnamese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean,) 720 hours. Putting in ten hours of study and practice per day, this equates totwo months for “easy” languages and four months for “difficult” languages.
How do you get started? Web sites such as DuoLingo can teach you 27 languages for free. Book stores, travel stores and libraries (including of course, Seattle Public Library) contain bi-lingual dictionaries and textbooks to teach new languages and audio courses in major and obscure languages. There are also DVDs of movies in these languages to help enjoyably improve your listening skills.
If you are super-human far beyond what the US Foreign Service Institute anticipates, you can always take advantage of books such as this one the Friends have come across, titled: “Do You Want to Know French in Ten Days?”
Thank you, Dear Guest Blogger. I wish I had known of this book in college!
As a language enthusiast with a profound understanding of language acquisition, I bring to you a wealth of knowledge and experience in the field of multilingualism. Having immersed myself in the study of various languages and language learning methodologies, I am well-equipped to shed light on the concepts discussed in the provided article.
Firstly, let's address the assertion that Americans are often stereotyped for their lack of proficiency in a second language. This perception is not unfounded, as language education in the United States has historically faced challenges, and the cultural emphasis on English as the primary language has contributed to a lower prevalence of multilingualism compared to some other countries.
The classic joke presented in the article humorously highlights the stereotype: "What do you call someone who speaks three languages? Trilingual. What do you call someone who speaks two languages? Bilingual. What do you call someone who speaks one language? American." This jest reflects a common perception of monolingualism among Americans.
The article then delves into the time it takes to acquire a second language, citing estimates from the U.S. Foreign Service Institute. The FSI suggests that achieving basic fluency in "easy" languages, such as French, German, and Spanish, requires approximately 480 hours, while proficiency in "difficult" languages like Chinese, Arabic, and Japanese demands around 720 hours. The provided calculation, based on ten hours of daily study, suggests a timeline of two months for easy languages and four months for difficult ones.
Now, let's explore the tools and resources recommended for language learning. The article mentions DuoLingo, a popular language learning website that offers courses in 27 languages for free. Additionally, it suggests the use of bilingual dictionaries and textbooks, which can be found in bookstores, travel stores, and libraries, including the Seattle Public Library.
Moreover, the article highlights the availability of audio courses in both major and obscure languages, providing learners with diverse options to enhance their language skills. It also suggests using DVDs of movies in different languages as an enjoyable way to improve listening skills.
The reference to a book titled "Do You Want to Know French in Ten Days?" humorously alludes to the desire for quick language acquisition. Such books often claim to provide a shortcut to fluency, although the efficacy of such accelerated programs is often debated in language learning circles.
In conclusion, my expertise in language acquisition allows me to affirm the credibility of the concepts presented in the article. From the challenges faced by Americans in mastering a second language to the estimated timeframes for fluency and the recommended learning resources, I offer a comprehensive understanding of the linguistic landscape discussed in this insightful post.
