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guslIs it easier to produce or to understand a new language?
I'm at a stage in my German at which I find it easier to speak. I have a very limited vocabulary, which I use very flexibly... (maybe thanks to the fact that I used to play Taboo!) adapting the words to the task at hand. On the other hand, when other people speak, they use lots of words that I don't know.
Most people, however, seem to have an easier time understanding than speaking. I think this is because:
* they can deduce meanings in context
* they insist on using the perfect word, for fear of being wrong... or they attempt to translate a word they know in the L1, instead of finding ways around their lack of knowledge.
When trying to express myself well about a deep subject, I too am often searching for words. This is in any language that I speak. But this is because, in those contexts, I like to be precise as well as concise. Communication whose goal is not intellectual is much easier.
I'm at a stage in my German at which I find it easier to speak. I have a very limited vocabulary, which I use very flexibly... (maybe thanks to the fact that I used to play Taboo!) adapting the words to the task at hand. On the other hand, when other people speak, they use lots of words that I don't know.
Most people, however, seem to have an easier time understanding than speaking. I think this is because:
* they can deduce meanings in context
* they insist on using the perfect word, for fear of being wrong... or they attempt to translate a word they know in the L1, instead of finding ways around their lack of knowledge.
When trying to express myself well about a deep subject, I too am often searching for words. This is in any language that I speak. But this is because, in those contexts, I like to be precise as well as concise. Communication whose goal is not intellectual is much easier.
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(no subject)
Date: 2006-01-16 11:45 pm (UTC)I get to choose how to speak and I can speak in ways to be understood.
But when I am spoken to...
I am spoken to fast many times... or by people with a very rural word usage... or very urban... or by purepecha people who speak spanish as a second language.... and I really can't understand their accent.
I have more control when I am the speaker. I can say things I don't know in creative ways... but all it takes it for them to use one word I don't know, a critical word, and I am lost.
One on one I can recover. I did today many times... they switch to another word.. I learn a little.
But overall... the struggle will go on for a while....
I need to study and talk more. read more.
Good luck to us all!
(no subject)
Date: 2006-01-17 12:43 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-01-17 12:51 pm (UTC)