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Rebecca EH's avatar

I would also be so annoyed reading this haha. Adult language learners have so many advantages, and have been shown to be faster language learners than children particularly in the initial stages. Fight me, commenter!!

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Tanya Mozias's avatar

They're helpfully suggesting you turn yourself into a 4 year old or else give up :)

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Ying's avatar

The comment hasn't triggered me per se, but I definitely wanted to roll my eyes sooo hard. It could have been an interesting conversation but it's not how you start a debate. They don't even realize they sound like they want to start a fight instead ! Ah the art of conversation.

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Mathias Barra's avatar

Haha, exactly, what a great way to kick off a potentially good debate.

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Anu's avatar

Learning languages can be painful, but there's also so much joy in it! Maybe people who don't see that haven't been able to experience the wonderful parts of it. But it's not like your love of languages hurts them in any way, so keep doing you!

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Mathias Barra's avatar

I also usually think people saying this haven't gotten to the many wonderful parts of language learning. That's why it usually doesn't trigger me but that person said they taught some Spanish so I guessed they must have experienced them.. What a strange way to think after having experienced firsthand these pleasure. Oh well, to each their own. In any case, I'd be surprised if anyone ever succeeded in convincing me to stop learning languages! đŸ¤­

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E.B. Figueroa's avatar

Whoever says learning a language is misery then they just don’t enjoy that process and assuming everyone else has the same experience as them is foolish. I started learning English as a second language at 8, completely on my own through media, so my pronunciation wasn’t very good until I began practicing with native speakers as a young undergrad. I also learned my 3rd and 4th languages (French and Portuguese) in university and I’m fluent. I am now learning Egyptian Arabic and the only reason it’s very slow going is because as an adult I have other responsibilities and a full time job that limit the amount of time I can devote to it. Sure, it’s challenging, but it is also fun. It also gives me insight into a culture I love and find fascinating, even if I never acquire fluency. This 5 yo thing is an excuse for people who just don’t want to go through it. Which is their prerogative, the same way it is yours to learn as many languages as your heart desires đŸ˜„.

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Mathias Barra's avatar

Couldn't agree more! We've got a life to live as well. If learning languages was a full-time job that could allow us to live and we had no other responsibility as adults, I'm sure we'd hear much less often this whole "learn as a kid or it's too late" kind of mentality. đŸ˜‰

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Rylla's avatar

Amen Mathias!!!

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Jan 31, 2024
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Mathias Barra's avatar

Ha! You're proof in the flesh that adults speak better than kids! And also that the whole "you have to be in the country to learn the language" is completely outdated.

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Feb 6, 2024
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Mathias Barra's avatar

I reckon passive knowledge matters more than an accent! đŸ˜‰

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