Learning a second language

[alicebentley]

It's something I've never managed. I took a year of German in school, and achieved my goal of sufficient vocabulary to read Einstein's Theory of Relativity. But never managed even partial conversational ability.

I love the Japanese language, and have poked at learning it for more than 30 years. I have a *wonderful* set of books and guides, and took classes from some great teachers. Pretty much none of it stays in my head for more than a week or so.

A couple of years ago my son became interested in Norway. (Norway?) I can only guess that it's related to knowing that his maternal grandparents came form there, but who knows. He's interested in learning Norsk, but not in traveling to Seattle every week to do so. So now I'm thinking maybe I'd like to learn Norsk, and we could both go, and it would give me someone to practice with.

I am, however, well aware of the challenge:
http://www.itchyfeetcomic.com/2013/09/view-from-top.html?m=1

Comments

[beamjockey.livejournal.com]

Perhaps the Internet could help you meet a Vashon resident who speaks Norsk, or even teaches it.

[beamjockey.livejournal.com]

Maybe these people (http://www.naccseattle.org/) know somebody. Or these people (http://nordicstudycircle.org/). Or these people (http://www.norskseattle.com/organizations); they seem to know who's teaching languages (http://www.norskseattle.com/language-instruction) in the area.

[alicebentley]

It was finding this site: http://www.sliseattle.com/home/classes/winter-2010 that led me to planning something more than "maybe sometime".

I'm still a bit leery of spending money I don't have to yet. The job hunt continues, with a rising possibility of patching together enough freelance gigs that my time is filled (but none of them pay particularly well).

We Shall See.

[samwinolj.livejournal.com]

I didn't know you were a fellow Squarehead. Both my Mom's folks were from Norway.

Sadly, I have no advice about learning the language.

[alicebentley]

Heh. I misspoke - *Mike's* maternal grandparents are from Norway. Marty's, what would that be, paternal, maternal, greatgrandparents.

My swarm were all Irish-English long-ago arrivals mixed with Scottish-Welch by way of Canada.