The Value of Trying to Learn a Not-So Dying Language
Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2014 11:41 am
I’m not fluent, nor am I expert. I maybe know 200 words (not counting numbers) and 30 phrases. Anyways I think I’ve learned alot from this experience so here are 13 reasons to learn a “Not-So Dying Languageâ€:
1) It gives you something to do that doesn’t include drinking (though it can also include drinking).
2) I believe you understand a culture more, by understanding the language. I always sensed on those short rides to and from Phnom Penh from the Airport that Khmers just "perceived the world differently". As I learn more and more, I realize how true this really is. The very way they perceive the world is completely different to Western Consciousness. It's like learning to drive a different type of vehicle only you’re doing it inside your head and with your ears and mouth.
3) Making and hearing sounds that you've never made before is a very difficult thing to do, but it humbles you somewhat. You learn the word and then you think you know it, then you practice it 50 times and then try to say it to a local and realize you were missing just a tiny nuance in the sound. The range of sounds that you are capable of making and hearing expand.
4) You can talk to locals (or at least attempt it). Seems obvious, but they very much appreciate your efforts. In fact I'd go as far to say that you get more respect because of it. It takes a bit of gusto to learn a foreign language and then go out and attempt to interact with it. You know you’re going to fail, because it's the only way to learn.
5) The comedic side effects of getting everything wrong. It always makes for some interesting conversations. Cambodians will laugh, help you and appreciate all your efforts at even attempting it.
6) For me it's always been fun to learn new things. In fact I'm generally not happy unless I'm learning something new.
7) It's cheap. For as little as $5 an hour (one on one with a teacher) you can start learning. Get a group of people together and it’s even cheaper.
8 - You can pick up some basics fast. After a few hours of learning words, I was able to, however crudely – direct a Tuk Tuk or Moto Dop back to my home, using only Khmer.
9) It could be a starting point for learning other languages. Everyone tells me that Thai is 50% the same language as Khmer, so if the day ever comes that I decide to trade in my shirt for a bus ticket to Pattaya I will have a head start on Thai too. I still can’t roll my ‘r’s but if I ever sounds like these, the sound making skills are definitely transferable to other languages.
10) Since starting to learn Khmer, I realized how much fun it is to learn a new language, and even if I don't ever fully learn Khmer (I don't really have a time table of how long I'll be here), it will hopefully get me into the rhythm of learning other languages if I ever move to another country.
11) It keeps me from getting drunk every night. And when I do get drunk I get to bump into locals the next day and hear them say, “You speak Khmer so good last night!" And then I pretend like it was merely the effects of the alcohol and that I don't in fact know any Khmer.
“I dunno Khmer, only when I drink can I speak itâ€.
12) You don’t need to know that much for locals to be like “You speak Khmer so good!â€
13) I don’t think it will ever fully die out. Since the French first came here and tried to unsuccessfully Romanize the alphabet, (like they did successfully in Vietnam), and probably before this Khmers have always been a multilingual bunch. There are people in border towns on all sides of the Country that are fluent and know Lao, Thai or Vietnamese.
1) It gives you something to do that doesn’t include drinking (though it can also include drinking).
2) I believe you understand a culture more, by understanding the language. I always sensed on those short rides to and from Phnom Penh from the Airport that Khmers just "perceived the world differently". As I learn more and more, I realize how true this really is. The very way they perceive the world is completely different to Western Consciousness. It's like learning to drive a different type of vehicle only you’re doing it inside your head and with your ears and mouth.
3) Making and hearing sounds that you've never made before is a very difficult thing to do, but it humbles you somewhat. You learn the word and then you think you know it, then you practice it 50 times and then try to say it to a local and realize you were missing just a tiny nuance in the sound. The range of sounds that you are capable of making and hearing expand.
4) You can talk to locals (or at least attempt it). Seems obvious, but they very much appreciate your efforts. In fact I'd go as far to say that you get more respect because of it. It takes a bit of gusto to learn a foreign language and then go out and attempt to interact with it. You know you’re going to fail, because it's the only way to learn.
5) The comedic side effects of getting everything wrong. It always makes for some interesting conversations. Cambodians will laugh, help you and appreciate all your efforts at even attempting it.
6) For me it's always been fun to learn new things. In fact I'm generally not happy unless I'm learning something new.
7) It's cheap. For as little as $5 an hour (one on one with a teacher) you can start learning. Get a group of people together and it’s even cheaper.
8 - You can pick up some basics fast. After a few hours of learning words, I was able to, however crudely – direct a Tuk Tuk or Moto Dop back to my home, using only Khmer.
9) It could be a starting point for learning other languages. Everyone tells me that Thai is 50% the same language as Khmer, so if the day ever comes that I decide to trade in my shirt for a bus ticket to Pattaya I will have a head start on Thai too. I still can’t roll my ‘r’s but if I ever sounds like these, the sound making skills are definitely transferable to other languages.
10) Since starting to learn Khmer, I realized how much fun it is to learn a new language, and even if I don't ever fully learn Khmer (I don't really have a time table of how long I'll be here), it will hopefully get me into the rhythm of learning other languages if I ever move to another country.
11) It keeps me from getting drunk every night. And when I do get drunk I get to bump into locals the next day and hear them say, “You speak Khmer so good last night!" And then I pretend like it was merely the effects of the alcohol and that I don't in fact know any Khmer.
“I dunno Khmer, only when I drink can I speak itâ€.
12) You don’t need to know that much for locals to be like “You speak Khmer so good!â€
13) I don’t think it will ever fully die out. Since the French first came here and tried to unsuccessfully Romanize the alphabet, (like they did successfully in Vietnam), and probably before this Khmers have always been a multilingual bunch. There are people in border towns on all sides of the Country that are fluent and know Lao, Thai or Vietnamese.