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Is this normal? Vocab recall question. | ||
Tags: Memory | ||
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 Language Learning Forum : General discussion |  | |
| Amun Triglot Groupie Netherlands Joined 5058 days ago 52 posts - 72 votes  Speaks: Dutch*, English, French Studies: Spanish | Message 1 of 13 09 January 2013 at 2:18am | IP Logged | ||
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As I am progressing in my foreign languages I noticed something odd about my brain's
learning style.. That is, whenever I encounter a recently learned word (by 'recent', it can go as far back as a decade) I always somehow remember the exact surroundings (when/where/the weather and other details) I was in when I learned that particular word. Like a very clear flashback. So, I often associate certain foreign language vocab with totally unrelated events. Sometimes it's really creepy as I can recall the exact outfit someone wore during a conversation when a new word was used or the exact news article, book etc and other very minor details of that particular day. Anyone here had similar experiences or am I just weird? 1 person has voted this message useful | |||
| Eternica Triglot Newbie United States Joined 5072 days ago 24 posts - 74 votes Speaks: Cantonese, English*, French Studies: Hungarian, Spanish | Message 2 of 13 09 January 2013 at 4:06am | IP Logged | ||
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I don't think you are weird at all. This is an interesting topic to navigate due to its potential implications on how to effectively learn a language.
In The Memory Book by Harry Lorayne and Jerry Lucas, the two authors talk about memory techniques. At the very meat of it, this book is about mnemonics, but there is quite a bit more detail than that. The thesis of the book is "You can remember any new piece of information if it is associated with something you already know/remember." These two authors really bring home the point that association is a really powerful tool. Memories don't occur in isolation; they are related to all your other thoughts in some way, some links stronger or weaker, some links more direct or indirect. What you're experiencing is not just limited to language, but other types of memories as well. And indeed, these links can become quite solidly ingrained in your mind, which explains why memories that are decades old can pop up. Also, another interesting thing to explore: it seems like you are saying that you first recall the word and then remember your surroundings, but is it possible that you did it the other way around? Or maybe both at the same time? 3 persons have voted this message useful | |||
| Amun Triglot Groupie Netherlands Joined 5058 days ago 52 posts - 72 votes Speaks: Dutch*, English, French Studies: Spanish | Message 3 of 13 09 January 2013 at 10:15am | IP Logged | ||
Usually the meaning of a word is recalled first, but within a blink of an eye the association of my surroundings of the day [or period of life] when it was learned quickly pass through next. It seems like my brain orders vocabulary in chronological way. Edited by Amun on 09 January 2013 at 10:20am 1 person has voted this message useful | |||
| LaughingChimp Senior Member Czech Republic Joined 4699 days ago 346 posts - 594 votes Speaks: Czech* | Message 4 of 13 09 January 2013 at 12:57pm | IP Logged | ||
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Yes, it happens to me as well.
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| lingoleng Senior Member Germany Joined 5298 days ago 605 posts - 1290 votes | Message 5 of 13 09 January 2013 at 5:42pm | IP Logged | ||
I suppose this is normal until you have had enough exposure. It is nothing to worry about, but not a good thing either, it just shows that you are not really familiar enough with the word, and probably the language. I don't suppose you read an English text and experience a never ending sequence of intense flashbacks for every word, or do you? Edited by lingoleng on 09 January 2013 at 6:07pm 1 person has voted this message useful | |||
| luke Diglot Senior Member United States Joined 7205 days ago 3133 posts - 4351 votes Speaks: English*, Spanish Studies: Esperanto, French | Message 6 of 13 09 January 2013 at 5:53pm | IP Logged | ||
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It happens to me frequently when doing FSI drills. I remember where I was the last time I did the drill. In my case, I'm in the car, so I remember where I was on the road.
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| Sibsil Triglot Newbie China Joined 4814 days ago 9 posts - 27 votes Speaks: Mandarin*, Korean, English | Message 7 of 13 10 January 2013 at 2:17am | IP Logged | ||
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Yes happens to me too. More with Korean than English, but with English too. When learn interesting word, easy remember also when and where you learn it.
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| Amun Triglot Groupie Netherlands Joined 5058 days ago 52 posts - 72 votes Speaks: Dutch*, English, French Studies: Spanish | Message 8 of 13 10 January 2013 at 5:14am | IP Logged | ||
Actually I know those words fairly well and could even write dictionary-like definitions of them. But it still happens, although most often with low frequency words. The flashbacks don't bother me that much, as they only pass by within milliseconds and don't affect reading/listing speed that much. 1 person has voted this message useful |
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