About a year-and-a-half ago now, I decided that I wanted to learn how to speak Spanish. My family and I know a little bit of Spanish because of our migrant workers; over the years, they have taught us a few phrases and words, but none of us are anywhere near fluent.
One of our workers, Salome, has been coming to our farm to work annually for 34 years now. Given the considerable time he has spent here in Canada, he is just about fluent in English, and because he can speak the language so well, I thought it only appropriate to return the favour and learn how to converse in Spanish.
I am learning Spanish via Duolingo, and while this method may not be as effective or timely as taking actual classes, or lessons, I have learned a fair bit. I’m nowhere near being fluent, but I can make basic conversation for the most part, and furthermore, I’m learning how to read the language as well.
Oddly enough, I’m better at reading Spanish than I am speaking it, but I’ll take any wins I can get.
Through the process of learning Spanish, I have come to the realization that learning a new language is a process that really doesn’t have a definite end. I’m discovering that the more I learn, the more there is to know, if that makes any sense, and I’m having a bit of difficulty in pinpointing a finish line. I don’t necessarily know if we can ever be absolutely fluent in any language; I have a Bachelor’s degree in English language and literature, and there are still elements of the English language I am ignorant and unaware of.
I’m enjoying the process of learning Spanish, and I look forward to taking on more information as I continue on this journey – I just don’t know when I’ll be finished.
Photo by Max Harlynking on Unsplash
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