Added Advantage of Learning a Foreign Language Irrespective of Your Discipline

Hello Language learners,

Learning is a circle of life that never ends. If you are not learning in your profession or updating In your field of endeavor, then you will be outdated in your career. Meaning you will be passed on for promotions, bonuses, incentives and Periodic training from your company.

As an individual in this present technological era, where change is a constant and ever increasing trend in every sphere of life. One most try by all means to keep up with the ever evolving transformation taking place on a daily basis by renewing your mind in different ways such as acquiring new skill set that are relevant to your profession.

For the purpose of language learning in this blog post, I will be concentrating on language acquisition for career advancement. Some of the added advantage of this Undertaking is numerous and encompassing.

First and famous in an job interview is you specifie that you are bilingual or multilingual polyglot, it is definitely an advantage for you to be shortlisted for further follow up to get the job.

In a structured organization where they is periodic review for promotion for their staff, you would also be included in the list of those to be considered for the position due to the fact that you can speak a foreign language.

A big company with branches all over the world, will never waste time to transfer a person to a country in which you understand the language considerable well, to go and establish a branch of that company, there by making you the branch manager or may be the director.

Also in situations where the organization is invited by a foreign body to bring it's representatives for a world event, your name will must likely pop up on the list of selected candidates to go and represent the company there by giving you exposure.

Lastly when there is a special need or project,  you will obviously be among the people that will be selected because of your exposure, experience and probably your language skill, which may bring some bonuses at the end of the project.

Comments below if you have any points to add or conter on the added advantage of learning a foreign language.

To your learning
of languages,

Frenchladydisi
Your Language Tutor.

Those Gender Have Anything To Do With Language Learning?

Hello Language lovers,

If I was to sectionalize this topic into small bits, it would be; that those geographical location, educational level, cultural background, spiritual beliefs, age, career, financial status and finally Personal interest have anything to do with language learning?  All the above listed, do there really matter when it comes to language learning and the gender involved?

In Africa due to the hardship and continues husling. I use to think that women are more prone to learn a new language than men, because an African girl child is brought up to always multi-task unlike the boy child who is always given preferencial treatment there by lesser task.

And also women in Africa are the ones to embrace new ventures, new ideas and work with them with an open heart. But I think the reverse is the case with women in the Western world, although I think that both the men and women are prone to learning a new language or venture into anything new.

I admit that I stand corrected because presently in my language online academy program the majority of my students are males. This is very ironic to me because I wasn't expecting males to indicate interest more than the females. Also I noticed a trend in their reason for learning a new language.

All the males in my online program don't have an extrinsic motivational reason for learning this new language. They are self driven and I admire their zest for language learning. Their reason is for acquiring sake, for increasing their knowledge data base,  just in case they need it in the future, like may be, they get an opportunity to travel out of the country and they need to know a foreign language. By then, they will be very fluent  and proficient in speaking that needed foreign language.

On the other hand, the ladies in my program all have an intrinsic motivational reason for their language acquisition. One of them is currently preparing for an international exam that if she passes will enable her stay in a foreign country with permit. While the other went to France and couldn't communicate properly so she was restricted and thus because of that, she decided to learn under the tutelage of an expert which is me.

Truly speaking, I can't conclude my findings on these facts I have been able to gather from my VILA institute. So I need more proofs and facts to back up these theory of mine which states that :
 « In Africa men are more likely to learn a new language than women, while in the western both men and women are likely to learn a new language »

Leave a comment below indicating whether you are for or against this theory and give your facts.

To your learning
of languages,

Frenchladydisi
Your Language Tutor.

Possible Reasons Most Africans Don't Learn Their Local Languages and Why There Are Going Extinct.

 
Hello language learners,

Today I would like to write about the issue of present Africans not learning or speaking their local native languages.
Your language is your identity no matter who you are, where your from or what you do. Your language is your present day hash tag, It classify's you in your immediate environment.

Knowing your language In Africa is a thing of pride and joy. Speaking it is a thing of dignity and respect. It is well known that Africans are very diversify in their language. In an African country you could probably have an estimate of about 112+ languages in that country.

 But alas! Statistics shows that some of these languages have gone extinct because the younger generations of now speak less and less of their local native language, so it is not been passed down to the next generation, while some are about to go extinct, therefore should be preserved. Here are some possible reasons why these peculiar languages are not been spoken and are going extinct.

i) It certainly will be out of place of I shouldn't start with mordernisation. This phenomenon has eaten deep into our very core as a nation and as a people. Our quest for acceptance has made us reject, shy away and unfortunately turn our backs from our very own languages. All because we want to be accepted into the big league of western culture. We want to roll and flow with the developped countries at the detriment of our language and heritage. Disregarding our language which is our identity, which makes us who we are and what we are.

ii) The perplexity of a language is another factor to be considered, because each African language has its own uniqueness and variance in nature. Some are quit easy while others are just down right difficult to assimilate. Nevertheless, if an individual from a particular tribe has been exposed to his or her language right from birth, that person should be able to comprehend and speak the language fluently as he or she grows up.

iii) The mannerism in which a person is thought the language is also a contributing factor to why most Africans don't learn to speak their local language. The manner could be very discouraging.

iv)  The written form of most of them are lost to our ancestors and so no way of verifying if the source is correct or wrong. Due to this fact, some of this languages are wrongly written and thought to the next generation. Which goes on and on in circles or most at times are not even thought but lost.

v)  In some cases it could be that the parent of the child don't know how to speak the language, therefore his stuck in the I-don't-know-how zone of his or her language. This is a deplorable state for such an individual.

vi) Between the parent of the child It is a well known fact that in Africa the child answers to the side of the father as in claims the fathers side and not the mothers. Due to this it sometimes causes issues in the home as to who's language will the child learn first and use predominantly. The father would prefer the child to learn his language but when the father does not know his native language the mother would teach them her language if she knows her own language. But since the father will want then to learn his own may stop them base on the fact that he doesn't want them to learn the mother's language.

Leave a comment below if you are in agreement with this reasons, if not please why.

To your learning
of languages,

Frenchladydisi
Your language Tutor.

Continuation of 15+ Reasons Why You Should Raise Your Kids as Multilingual

Hi language Learners,

The follow up on reason why you should raise your kids as multilingual.
8) Your child will have more opportunities to make new friends.
Not only will your child be able to connect with others who speak different languages, but they will also be able to make friends during their language learning studies. There are hundreds of after school language programs in which kids can meet new friends, stimulate their minds, and, more importantly, have fun!

9)Sets your child up for future job success.
Today’s companies are seeking job candidates who know how to speak more than one language. In fact, research from Korn/Ferry International found that nearly 9 out of 10 headhunters in Europe, Latin America, and Asia say that being bilingual is important for success in today’s job market.

10) Your child will develop into a more well - rounded individual.
“If you have the chance to give your children the gift of an additional language, please do so – it is a gift that keeps giving for many years to come. It will enable your children to expand their horizons cognitively, socially, geographically and financially,” says Rita Rosenback of Multilingual Parenting.

11) Greatly increases your child's cognitive ability.
Research has found that bilingual children score higher than monolinguals in cognitive performance. In particular, children who speak multiple languages have more cognitive control and attention, according to research from Psychological Science in the Public Interest.

12) Helps to reduce dementia in life.
According to a study published by the American Academy of Neurology, bilingual adults developed dementia 4.5 years later than their monolingual counterparts. The study also claims that bilingualism benefits individuals with frontotemporal and vascular dementia.

13) Your child will become better at multi tasking.
Research from the National Institutes of Health found that bilingual children are better at switching between tasks than children who only speak one language. This is because bilinguals have to constantly switch back and forth between languages, helping them become better multi taskers.

14) Helps to improve your child's memory.
Your child’s brain is like a big muscle; the more it functions the stronger it gets. Learning a second language exercises your child’s brain, as he or she must memorize new vocabulary words and grammar rules. In turn, your child is able to boost over all memory and retention.

15) Boost Your child's tolerance of the world.
Bilingualism doesn’t just have academic benefits, but it also has societal advantages. Bilingual children have a greater understanding of other cultures and communities, causing them to be more tolerant a characteristic that is very difficult to instill in a child.

16) Your child will get a head start in school.
Typically, children do not start learning a language until around middle or high school. Teaching your child a foreign language early in life will better prepare them for school not to mention give them a competitive advantage when applying to colleges.

Which point do you dishes with, leave a comment below saying why.

To your learning
of languages,

Frenchladydisi
Your language Tutor.

15+ Reasons Why You Should Raise Your Kids Multilingual.

Hi language learners,

Did you Know today’s parents are always trying to find ways to improve their children’s future, whether it’s placing them in early music classes or sending them to elite athletic camps. But did you ever think of getting your child language lessons? From improved social skills to deeper family connections, learning a foreign language affords children an infinite amount of benefits . We’ve interviewed a number of bilingual parenting experts to compile this list of  reasons why parents should consider raising multilingual children.

1) Enables your child explore what the world has to offer.
“Learning a language is like opening a door to an adventure. We want to enable children around the world to be young global citizens better prepared for exploring their world,” says Amanda Hsiung Blodgett aka “Miss Panda” of Miss Panda Chinese.

2) Your child will have greater control over literacy skills.
Research from York University, titled “ Bilingual Effects on Cognitive and Linguistic Development: Role of Language, Cultural Background, and Education ,” found that bilingual children show improvements in literacy and literacy skill acquisition. Specifically, children were able to better understand verbal and non - verbal communication.

3) Helps your child connect to his or her cultural background.
“ Learning a heritage language will help children be proud of their cultural heritage. I think that my son will be more connected to his cultural background. I also couldn’t imagine my child not being able to communicate with his family in France or his Spanish-speaking family members. I feel that if he learns the languages, he will be closer to his family and be proud of who he is,” says Diana Limongi-Gabriele of LadydeeLG.

4) Increases your child's self confidence.
Developing your child’s self-confidence is extremely important. Studies have proven that bilingual children have more self-confidence. In fact, scientists from the University of Windsor found that people who speak more than one language had higher levels of self-esteem compared to monolinguals or those who only speak one language.

5) Broadens your child's horizon above and beyond.
“Being bilingual is so much more than speaking two languages and all the cognitive benefits that come along with that. Being bilingual gives children an entirely different way of seeing the world and stretches their minds to new realms of possibilities,” says Stephanie Meade of In Culture Parent.

6) Helps your child become a better test taker.
Students who take foreign languages tend to score higher on standardized tests. In fact, students who studied a foreign language for 4 or more years outscored other students on the verbal and math portions of the test, according to research from College Board titled, “ College-Bound Seniors: A Profile of SAT Program Test Takers .”

7) Opens up more opportunity for your child.
“Today’s world is becoming increasingly borderless. It’s easy to hop on a plane and arrive on the other side of the world in a day. Or connect with someone face to face over Skype or FaceTime. Global integration is only going to increase, so a child who speaks more than one language will have more advantages when it comes to social, academic and job opportunities in the future,” says Maria Wen Adcock of Bicultural Mama.

Comment below if you agree with the above reasons to raise your kids as multilingual.

To your learning
of languages,

Frenchladydisi
Your language Tutor.

6 Honest Challenges Adults Face in Language Learning, Number 4 Will Shock You.

Hi language learners,

As an adult, on the other hand, learning a new language is definitely a different experience. It’s not all bad, though: there are some big advantages, too! Understanding how adults learn differently will help you stay aware of possible challenges, while taking advantage of the benefits of being an adult learner.

1. Lack of discipline to create time for your language lessons.
At this stage of your life you might not have afternoons free like you did as a child and young adult, I recommend blocking out times in your schedule that are distraction free and one hundred percent focused on language learning. Even if the chunks of time are short, consistent study will lead to noticeable progress, so keep it up!

2. Your tribal or native accent can pose as a big problem.
When children learn a new language, they naturally assimilate the unique sounds, inflection, and rhythm of the language. As adults, it can be harder to completely master the accent, as the foreign sounds can be challenging to assimilate completely since speech patterns are already set.

There’s good news, though: if you were exposed to the sounds of foreign languages as a child, that can be enough to make learning a new accent easier, as studies have shown that just exposure as children, even without speaking, can familiarize us with the sounds at a later date.
And even without that exposure, there are many ways your tutor can help you improve your accent if it doesn’t come naturally to you. Working with a language tutor — as opposed to relying on prerecorded courses, videos, and apps — is key, as you’ll get feedback and corrections as you’re speaking.

3. Lack of of time like you had back in school.
You may have counted down the minutes until the end of the school day, whereas now you dream of uninterrupted time for study and self-development as a working adult. The upside is that there are many opportunities for adults to pursue intensive, serious study, as well. You might even benefit more as a serious adult student than you did as an adolescent.

Examples of study you could undertake include Part time one on one coaching during time off of work, night classes, online group classes , and intensive private tutoring sessions, all of which can fit into the busiest of schedules. With these ideas, you’ll be learning your target language in leaps and bounds!

4. Fear of making mistakes.
A big difference between adults and kids is that the latter group is often unhampered to try new things, even if it means looking a little ridiculous and making errors. Adults can be intimated by trying new things, and making errors is frowned upon.

This can make it challenging to learn well, as an inherent part of language learning is to make mistakes and experiment! You can remain aware of this downfall and work to overcome fear of mistakes by staying open, having fun, and trying new things.
5. Vocabulary acquisition needs targeted practice.
As an adult, it’s often not enough to just rely on exposure to acquire and memorize new vocabulary. As you learn, you’ll need to make a targeted and concerted effort to memorize new vocabulary. Children and adolescents can often pick up new vocabulary simply through exposure and repetition; the advantage adults have is that they can choose to focus on specific vocabulary sets that interest them. These could be highly specific (i.e. Spanish vocabulary for healthcare) or general; either way, you’ll be learning exactly what you want to learn in no time.

6.  Grammar won’t come naturally.
Children learning new languages often pick up sentence structure and other grammatical points simply by listening and interacting. Adults, on the other hand, may struggle with structures that are different in their native language. Because of this, grammatical exercises and dedicated study are usually necessary.

However, adults can use the grammar rules they already know and understand as a jumping off point for learning a new language’s grammar. This can be advantageous as well as an interesting exploration if you have an interest in how languages function. To sum it up, adults can often explain the “why” behind a usage in a language, while children can only execute the grammatical function without the capacity to explain.

Which one do you think resonates to you in your language learning, leave a comment below.

To your learning
of languages,

FrenchLadyDisi
Your Language Tutor.

Challenges And Triumphs In My Translation Journey

Hi guy's,
I use to think translation is not as hard as it looks. Well guess what, looks can be deceptive and I learnt the truth the hard way when I started translating.

 Translation is a dynamic intellectual craft that is developed through experience and maturation. Translation is a profession with elements of both art and science, and with deep historical roots. At its best, translation can be an exquisite form of communication, facilitating a meeting of minds across cultures. Translation  is essentially a decision-making process that requires a combination of language ability, subject-specific knowledge, intuition, research skills, and judgment.

A proper translation expresses the meaning behind the use of written words in one language in the written word usage of a second language. Although the translator appears to be dealing with words, in actual practice the translator is dealing with units of meaning that may or may not be expressed by the words appearing on paper. The translator must go beyond the stated word to the true intent of the document to be translated. Meaning is not contained in words, but is abstracted from words and interpreted within a context.
As a translator I must rely not only on linguistic clues appearing in the document, but also on extra-linguistic knowledge. As a translator I must be able to understand and appreciate distinctions made in the "source language" of the document to be translated, and to make equivalent distinctions in the "target language" of the translation. This is not an easy task.

The Steps In The Translation Process Are As Follows:
Step 1: Text Analysis–Analyzing the structure of the text and its meaning.
Step 2: Research–Searching for meaningful "clues" within the text and outside of the text.
Step 3: Draft Translations–Preparing as many drafts as are needed.
Step 4: Accuracy Checking–Comparing the source and target texts.
Step 5: Editing–Reviewing the target language text for appropriate style and jargon.
Step 6: Formatting–Putting the final text in printed and/or electronic form.

This is what I call the «TRDAEF» Translation process. The process of translation is essentially the same in all cases but a variety of approaches are in use which are largely determined by the translator's personality and experience. A document must be analyzed not only for its linguistic structure, but also for its underlying meaning. Some documents are written under pressure, and sometimes by more than one author which can result in internal inconsistencies. I am sometimes faced not only with typographical errors in the source text, but also with intermittent failure in grammar, rhetoric and logic.

The Quality of a Translation Depends Primarily Upon:
The quality of the "source language" document;
The degree of subject-specific knowledge acquired by the translator;
The level of "source language" and "target language" proficiency of the translator;
The translator's diligence and attention to detail.

Some translators prefer to dictate their translations, and some translators prefer to use "Machine Assisted Translation" {MAT} software in preparing their rough drafts. The reason is that both of these approaches increase output speed and productivity. There are great advantages to dictating, especially when translating documents that are very familiar and that contain few ambiguities. But if not done properly, dictation ca lead to things getting "lost" or misplaced in the translation. Haste makes waste.

 In any case, the accuracy checking step cannot be overlooked. "Machine assisted translation" can sometimes work for documents that are very consistent and very repetitive. Of course, there are various levels of "machine assistance" that can be provided by computer software, but in most cases, although some of the simpler aspects of translation (those that involve "code switching") can be speeded up, there is really no substitute for the careful and attentive human touch. After all, the original text was prepared by human beings.

I believe that the subconscious mind plays a very significant role in the process of translation. I have often had the experience of trying to decide the best way to translate a troublesome passage, and having exhausted all available reference and research resources, I let the problem go from my conscious mind, turn it over to my subconscious mind, and focus my conscious mind on something else. Later, it will suddenly occur to me what the best choice is, or how to go about it.

 It is often useful to step outside the conscious aspect of the translation process, let the subconscious work on it, and then return to the conscious aspect. Unfortunately, we do not always have that luxury because of deadline pressure! However, I have often found that when I have a problem, either professional or personal in nature, I can find the solution by releasing it to my subconscious mind.

The truth is that knowledge of a foreign language is a necessary, but not a sufficient condition, to become a translator. Many additional skills and aptitudes are required. A translator must be able to write well in the target language. The terminology, phraseology, and speech level of the translation must be accurate, up-to-date, and appropriate to the specific context and audience. In order to achieve this, the translator must have an understanding of the subject matter of the text, and the translator must know how to write in the specialized field.

This does not necessarily mean that the translator has to be an "expert" in the field, but to a significant degree, the translator needs to have acquired knowledge of the field through schooling, work experience, and self-study.  Some translations require expertise that the translator cannot possibly possess, and this is particularly true of certain types of interdisciplinary work. In many cases, it is the client who possesses the necessary subject expertise related to a particular document, and the translator should not feel embarrassed to ask the client for help.
One of the most interesting attributes of translators is perfectionism.

The documents we are called on to translate are not necessarily perfect themselves, but we are expected to render them into the target language faithfully and accurately. On the other hand, we know that translators can at times be very sloppy and sometimes unacceptable. Sometimes this is due to inexperience, unreasonable deadlines, laziness and lack of attention to detail. Of course, this can happen in any Profession, and is certainly not unique to the field of translation. In the final analysis, the most important attitude of any professional is to be willing and able to learn from one's mistakes, and to apply what one has learned so as to further improve the quality of the work.

Although I know from experience that perfection is unattainable. After all, we are humans and we live in an imperfect world. And though we strive to produce the most perfect product we can, we know that in many cases, perfection in translation is an impossible goal. One of the most beautiful aspects of our profession is that there is always more to learn.  We must recognize our limitations, while at the same time making continual efforts to transcend those limitations and build on our strengths.

Ultimately, we can provide appropriate service only when we understand the needs of our clients. Although we may feel that what we want to achieve is perfection, I believe that what we are really striving for is excellence. Excellence is a habit of mind that can be cultivated only through a developmental process involving continual improvement through hard work and self-discipline.

Please do leave a comment about what you think of translation.

To your learning
of languages,

FrenchLadyDisi
Your language Tutor.