Learning Two Languages at Once: Bad Idea??

[SoCal35]

Originally Posted by Miaiam

When the languages you are learning are similar, it is more difficult, not easier!

1) However, if you are learning them for traveling purposes, you won't have to be an expert, I am assuming you are looking for basic conversational skills and/or improving what you already know.

2) Being so, I applaud your efforts to try to learn the local languages. Many people travel and assume the locals have to speak their language, while you are going the distance and investing time/money/efforts to try to learn more.

Locals are very appreciative of tourists who try to speak their language. It makes them feel respected and they tend to be more friendly.

If I am going somewhere, no way I won't learn at least the basics of the language, there is only advantages to that.

Good for you, and btw have a great trip!

Thanks for your post.

1. Yes...exaclty. I don't expect any miracles. I just want to land in Brazil and have the ability to speak some basic phrases and not be a total fool. My Spanish is ALREADY more advanced....I just want to learn more and speak Spanish at a more advanced level.

2. I agree....it only makes sense to learn the history, culture, and language when visiting a place.

The truly tragic reality is that I had a Brazilian girlfriend about 10 years ago. She was fluent in English and Portuguese and was a Portugese major in college while I was dating her!

She taught me a few phrases and I even had a phrase book for a while. But I BLEW it in NOT taking better advantage because she loved teaching me. Boy...I really regret that!!!!

[Miaiam]

Every very large country (like Brazil, as you mentioned it) usually has huge differences in pronunciation and accent, so basic knowledge will, at least, help you to some extent, I guess. Also, to my knowledge, Portuguese from Portugal and from Brazil are quite different; I have seen books for "Portugal Portuguese" and "Brazilian Portuguese".

Most Brazilians do not speak English or speak it very poorly, and despite being surrounded by Spanish-speaking countries have not mingled with them in terms of language. Unfortunately many people think Brazilians speak Spanish, a lack of understanding they usually do not appreciate.

I can see the difference between Spanish spoken in Spain and in South America very clearly, however I cannot distinguish between, for example, Argentinian and Chilean accents, but I am sure there might be differences though. If you already have a certain knowledge of Spanish this should not be an issue.

[dazzleman]

Originally Posted by SoCal35

Wow, six languages in six countries! Yes...that would be very tough. I guess it's a good thing that So. America is primarily just two languages (not counting the native languages).

And many of them were totally dissimilar. The languages were Danish, Swedish, Finnish, Russian, Latvian and Polish.

I brushed up on a little Danish and Swedish, with the most emphasis on Danish. I also learned a bit of Polish and actually used it successfully to buy a bottle of water from somebody who didn't speak English. I didn't try Russian because the alphabet was a deal breaker for me.

It was a lot of fun. I really loved the trip.

[Mar0]

I studied Japanese and Spanish simultaneously for years. Obviously the languages are extremely different and sometimes I would still mix the two up. I think it would be difficult studying two similar languages because the words are different yet similar so you'd be likely to confuse the two.