Chris' questions...
May. 2nd, 2001 11:52 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alexpgpIn response to a recent post of mine, fellow LJer volkris asked:
These are interesting questions, so I thought I'd answer them here, in the "main" part of my journal.
In response to the first question, there is no way to compare how "hard" a language is to learn, especially as compared to one's native tongue, though I have been on the periphery of arguments to the effect that, say, it's harder for a Finn to learn Spanish than it is for a Russian to learn Chinese.
Any language you start to learn past the age of about 10 is going to be "hard," in part because the great integrating machine that is your brain is no longer running at the warp speed it was humming at when you were 2 years old, and also because you've already developed facility in one language, which tends to amplify the feeling of slowness and awkwardness in any other language.
A good analogy here is the difference between typing using a QWERTY keyboard and a Dvorak keyboard. Despite the fact that Dvorak users consistently type faster, most people learn on QWERTY keyboards and stick with them rather than go through the "pain' of learning to type again.
The second question, about the usefulness of a second language in the job market, is trickier. I personally think a second language is extremely useful besides any facility it gives in being able to read, write, and speak in that language. Most companies give lip service to the idea of prospective employees having a second language, so it's useful there if for no other reason.
But I believe a second language, pursued with any consistent level of determination, tends to improve one's functioning in the world in general, and on at least two levels.
First, it improves one's knowledge of one's own native language. This is never a bad deal.
Second, it provides insight into how other people - other cultures, really - think, first on a linguistic level, and then on a cultural level as facility increases, and finally on a personal level as you socialize more and more with native speakers of that language. In effect, this expands your ability to think and gives you the ability to look at things with more than the set of tools that one language gives you.
My knowledge of Russian has never hurt me, though there have been times when it seemed to be of no earthly use at all. On the other hand, when it has come in handy, it's been a sweet tool.
Cheers...
Was [Russian] very difficult to learn
from English? Has knowing it been
very useful in the job market?
Obviously your current job owes a
large part to the knowledge, but did
many employers see it as a plus?
These are interesting questions, so I thought I'd answer them here, in the "main" part of my journal.
In response to the first question, there is no way to compare how "hard" a language is to learn, especially as compared to one's native tongue, though I have been on the periphery of arguments to the effect that, say, it's harder for a Finn to learn Spanish than it is for a Russian to learn Chinese.
Any language you start to learn past the age of about 10 is going to be "hard," in part because the great integrating machine that is your brain is no longer running at the warp speed it was humming at when you were 2 years old, and also because you've already developed facility in one language, which tends to amplify the feeling of slowness and awkwardness in any other language.
A good analogy here is the difference between typing using a QWERTY keyboard and a Dvorak keyboard. Despite the fact that Dvorak users consistently type faster, most people learn on QWERTY keyboards and stick with them rather than go through the "pain' of learning to type again.
The second question, about the usefulness of a second language in the job market, is trickier. I personally think a second language is extremely useful besides any facility it gives in being able to read, write, and speak in that language. Most companies give lip service to the idea of prospective employees having a second language, so it's useful there if for no other reason.
But I believe a second language, pursued with any consistent level of determination, tends to improve one's functioning in the world in general, and on at least two levels.
First, it improves one's knowledge of one's own native language. This is never a bad deal.
Second, it provides insight into how other people - other cultures, really - think, first on a linguistic level, and then on a cultural level as facility increases, and finally on a personal level as you socialize more and more with native speakers of that language. In effect, this expands your ability to think and gives you the ability to look at things with more than the set of tools that one language gives you.
My knowledge of Russian has never hurt me, though there have been times when it seemed to be of no earthly use at all. On the other hand, when it has come in handy, it's been a sweet tool.
Cheers...
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no subject
Date: 2001-05-02 11:47 pm (UTC)For instance, how long did you have to study Russian to become (semi)fluent in it? For all I know, of course, you were natively speaking it in addition to English.
And then I know that some employers, particularly here in Texas, will in particular love employees that can speak Spanish because of the proximity to Mexico and whatnot. Obviously in your specific job Russian is a great asset, but in general do you find that employers would give ability in Russian more than a "Oh, he's bilengual" thumbs up? In other words, would Russian be better to know than just any ol' second language. Or would you know?
I'm just asking all of this out of curiousity. Who knows, though, I might look into learning the language if I have enough free time in the future.
no subject
Date: 2001-05-03 09:42 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2001-05-03 05:29 pm (UTC)I would disagree, though, with your characterization of employers and their attitudes toward languages. In my experience, unless there is a specific reason to seek particular language skills, having them is nothing more than a bonus for the boss. I know of no "mainstream" organizations that hire on the basis of having a variety of bilinguals on staff.
Cheers...
no subject
Date: 2001-05-03 04:58 pm (UTC)Cheers...
dvorak
Date: 2001-05-11 08:43 am (UTC)Besides being faster and easier on my wrists, the dvorak keyboard pretty much ensures that nobody will borrow my workstation.