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What’s more important in learning? | ||
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 Language Learning Forum : General discussion |  | |
| FinalFan3 Newbie United Kingdom Joined 5855 days ago 5 posts - 5 votes Speaks: English* | Message 1 of 20 15 June 2009 at 1:22pm | IP Logged | ||
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I'm asking this basically because I'm still trying to decide between Mandarin and Japanese...
So I guess I'm asking what is more important in deciding to study a language and in staying motivated? Is it interest in the language itself? How it sounds and the writing system for example. I think Mandarin sounds much more interesting, I suppose because of the tones, even though this is what makes it difficult. Or is interest in the country and its culture more important? I've been interested in Japanese pop culture for a number of years now. In fact I used to think Japanese sounded really cool as well, but maybe after years of listening to it in dramas, songs etc. I've grown accustomed to it? Interested to hear what people think. 1 person has voted this message useful | |||
| Splog Diglot Senior Member Czech Republic anthonylauder.c Joined 5674 days ago 1062 posts - 3263 votes  Speaks: English*, Czech Studies: Mandarin | Message 2 of 20 15 June 2009 at 1:25pm | IP Logged | ||
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It is probably whatever motivates you personally to keep at it for the long term (once the initial excited buzz has worn off). That long-term motivator differs from person to person. Edited by Splog on 15 June 2009 at 1:26pm 1 person has voted this message useful | |||
| Bao Diglot Senior Member Germany tinyurl.com/pe4kqe5 Joined 5771 days ago 2256 posts - 4046 votes Speaks: German*, English Studies: French, Spanish, Japanese, Mandarin | Message 3 of 20 15 June 2009 at 1:37pm | IP Logged | ||
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That comes down to personal preference. For me pop culture is important because I'm a lazy person and without it I'd learn about the language but not how to use it - and that means that in the long run I can't sustain my interest in the language itself.
Or maybe it is that I can switch between being amazed by the language and amused by its pop culture. Edited by Bao on 15 June 2009 at 1:38pm 1 person has voted this message useful | |||
| Cainntear Pentaglot Senior Member Scotland linguafrankly.blogsp Joined 6016 days ago 4399 posts - 7687 votes Speaks: Lowland Scots, English*, French, Spanish, Scottish Gaelic Studies: Catalan, Italian, German, Irish, Welsh | Message 4 of 20 15 June 2009 at 2:14pm | IP Logged | ||
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The important thing is to be able to use it. If the interest leads to opportunities to use the language (through, for example, visits to the country, culture events or cinema and literature) then that's a good thing, but the brain learns only when it needs to. Interest alone won't force the brain to change.
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| ANK47 Triglot Senior Member United States thearabicstudent.blo Joined 7102 days ago 188 posts - 259 votes Speaks: English*, Arabic (Written), Arabic (classical) | Message 5 of 20 22 June 2009 at 10:43am | IP Logged | ||
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I'd say that you should pick a language who's culture and country you are interested in. The sounds of the language quickly lose their cool factor when you start learning the language.
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| Toufik18 Bilingual Tetraglot Senior Member Algeria Joined 5749 days ago 188 posts - 202 votes Speaks: Arabic (Written)*, Arabic (classical)*, French, English | Message 7 of 20 22 June 2009 at 12:07pm | IP Logged | ||
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Japanese is more phonetic and beautiful, whereas Mandarin is a lot more useful. You have to decide your motivation ,is it based on pure language learning pleasure or you are planning on using the language to expand you business for example .
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| irrationale Tetraglot Senior Member China Joined 6055 days ago 669 posts - 1023 votes 2 sounds Speaks: English*, Spanish, Mandarin, Tagalog Studies: Ancient Greek, Japanese | Message 8 of 20 22 June 2009 at 12:32pm | IP Logged | ||
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I don't mean to be rude, but in my eyes, people mulling over this question don't have what it takes yet to take on an entire language, much less an Asian language, in terms of motivation. It is like mulling over whether you love someone or not before you jump into marriage.
If you have to look for reasons to learn a given language, it is best to wait until a reason finds YOU, or just dabble in the language. There is nothing wrong with dabbling in a language, as you probably already have with Japanese. I know many people with an interest in Japanese born out of Anime, the culture, etc, but when it comes to learning the entire language and all that entails, most do not get past beginner stage. This is because they simply don't need to, it doesn't suit their needs to learn so much. As people have mentioned, the cool factor wears off pretty fast once your brain has become used to the sounds...and the brain doesn't like nor need the torture that learning an Asian language entails. Being interested in a culture is great, but it doesn't entail having to learn the entire language...you could just learn how to read Japanese for example, or understand it passively. This could take the weight off the decision.
I agree with this. If you are talking about being fluent, etc, you have to need it, not just desire it or be interested. Do you need to communicate in this language? Do you need/want to go to their country to get even more exposure to the culture? Speaking for me, I am absolutely compelled to communicate with people from different cultures in their language. I need to do it...it isn't really a choice. This is just my view, no offense. 1 person has voted this message useful |
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