I have a confession to make. I have what is called polyitis. Polyitis is a condition in which one wishes to become a polyglot. A polyglot is someone who wishes to learn and be literate in more than one language. For as long as I can remember I have been fascinated by languages. Though I have been writing about my polyglot pursuits for some time on this blog, it was only until recently that I’ve made any progress worthy of note.
Ultimately about a month ago I woke up and decided that I would either need to start studying or start studying. Those were my only options and so I’ve started studying. I see language learning and my polyglot pursuits as a professional hobby. It is professional implications in that I hope to be able to converse at a high level about music in each of the languages that I hope to learn. It is a hobby in that it is fun and I am trying not to take myself too seriously just yet.
This past month has been a lot of fun. I’ve starting actually using all of the apps and books that I have purchased. Also, I’ve taken a few lessons with language teachers. The lessons have probably been the biggest motivator and helped with accountability. For a while I felt like I was cheating because I wanted to have a language teacher and take formal classes, but I’ve decided that that is how I learn best and so I will use that to my advantage.
The difficult part is figuring out how to study two languages at once when neither of them are at an intermediate level. I am what I consider a ‘false beginner’ in Spanish. I have studied it previously at an in-depth level, but have lost much of that knowledge and language that I acquired. As a result, I can write in complete paragraphs, but not make my way through the alphabet. Memory is strange. My current plan of action is to spend a bit more time focusing on Spanish to prepare for the DELE exam and slowing work in other one.
I realize there is no way to study 9 or 10 languages at the same time and make a lot of progress unless you don’t do other things. I have many interests and do lots of other things so it might take me longer to reach my goals, but that is okay. As long as my progress is sustainable, I’m good with that.