Can You Really Become Native in a Foreign Language? @RhapsodyinLingo

Summary

In this insightful conversation, Israel shares his passion for language learning, discussing his journey from growing up trilingual to mastering multiple languages. He explains the importance of fluidity in language, refined expression, and pronunciation, detailing his approach to learning sophisticated words through immersion and constant curiosity. Israel emphasizes the role of context, shadowing, and paying attention to the finer details of pronunciation, cadence, and intonation. His story highlights a dedication to blending in with the local culture while continually striving to improve his language skills with a perfectionist mindset.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker takes pride in blending in and sounding local when speaking different languages.
• 😀 Fluency in a language is described as a 'flow' rather than just being able to communicate. The speaker aims to refine their language skills to a higher level.
• 😀 Curiosity is the key driver for the speaker's language learning journey, with a strong focus on understanding the context and nuances of words.
• 😀 The speaker values using sophisticated words but acknowledges the challenge of choosing the right context for them.
• 😀 The learning process involves constant curiosity, making connections between words, their roots, and associated sounds.
• 😀 The speaker's approach to language learning includes reading articles, newspapers, and listening to conversations to understand how words are used in context.
• 😀 Rather than memorizing flashcards, the speaker makes mental notes of interesting words and pays attention to their usage in real life.
• 😀 Pronunciation is important to the speaker, who strives to sound native-like and blends in with the local accent when speaking.
• 😀 The speaker practices shadowing (mimicking native speakers) to improve pronunciation and intonation, especially in the smallest linguistic details.
• 😀 The speaker enjoys the challenge of refining language skills, particularly in pronunciation, cadence, and intonation, to sound as natural as possible in every language.

Q & A

Why does Israel prefer to describe his language skills as 'fluid' rather than 'fluent'?

Israel prefers the term 'fluid' because it emphasizes how smoothly the language flows rather than just the ability to communicate. 'Fluent' can feel like a vague term, while 'fluid' reflects a more natural, effortless use of the language.

What motivates Israel to continue learning more languages, even beyond fluency?

Israel's motivation stems from a deep curiosity about language. His interest in understanding how words are formed, used, and integrated into daily life keeps him engaged. The desire to speak more refined and elegant language also drives his continued learning.

How does Israel approach learning new vocabulary in a language?

Israel focuses on making connections with new words by paying attention to their meanings, how they sound, their roots, and the context in which they are used. He doesn't rely solely on flashcards but tries to make mental associations with the word, such as linking it to sounds or other concepts.

What is Israel's attitude towards the concept of sounding like a native speaker in another language?

Israel doesn’t feel the need to sound like a native speaker, but he does take pride in being able to blend in. He desires to sound local and natural, which is why he focuses on perfecting pronunciation and intonation, even though he doesn’t feel it’s necessary to achieve a native-level accent.

What specific approach does Israel use to improve his pronunciation?

Israel listens carefully to native speakers, mimicking their pronunciation, intonation, and cadence. He uses shadowing techniques where he repeats what he hears, paying attention to small details like vowel sounds and consonant pronunciation, as these can make a big difference in sounding natural.

How does Israel’s background in music contribute to his language learning?

Israel’s musical background helps him with pronunciation and intonation, as he is able to better discern the tonal nuances and rhythm of speech. His sensitivity to sound patterns, which he developed through music, makes him more adept at mimicking accents and mastering the flow of sentences in different languages.

What challenge does Israel face when people praise his language skills?

While Israel appreciates the compliment, he feels slightly upset when people praise his Polish because it highlights that he is not from Poland. He would prefer that people just speak to him in Polish without drawing attention to his foreign background, which reflects his desire to blend in seamlessly.

Why does Israel continue to refine his language skills even after reaching fluency?

For Israel, fluency is just the starting point. He is driven by the curiosity to improve and refine his skills, seeking to speak more elegantly and express himself freely. This is not about necessity but personal interest and the challenge of pushing his abilities further.

How does Israel feel about people who stop learning languages once they reach a B2 level?

Israel believes that many people stop progressing after reaching a B2 level because they feel they no longer need to refine their language. However, he argues that there is always room for improvement, particularly when it comes to expressing oneself with greater sophistication and elegance.

What does Israel do to overcome his struggle with reading books in foreign languages?

While Israel speaks Polish fluently, he still struggles with reading books in Polish. He continues to deliberately work on improving his reading skills as part of his personal goal to elevate his language proficiency to the next level.