Ask most folks if they speak Spanish (or any other foreign language), and you might hear them say, “I understand more than I speak.”
I’ve always called bullshit. Before now, that usually expressed to me one of two things. Either they speak more than they understand, or they speak and understand very little.
This occurred to me as I was on a plane back from the Dominican Republic. I’ve spoken before about my intent and desire to improve my Spanish ability. I came away from this trip with the realization that I may be able to speak enough Spanish, but I don’t understand it particularly well.
This isn’t uncommon. Most language educators focus on the goal of getting their students to start speaking as quickly as possible. Being able to speak a language does give us the feeling that we are are making progress. Additionally, it certainly assists in learning to think in a different language – we need to be able to have quick recall in order to come up with the next word when we’re talking.
However, this can give the illusion of mastery. In order to a carry on a conversation, I need to not only speak, but listen as well. When I was in the DR, I could usually get my points across using some strange variation of Spanish, but when my conversational partner begins to reply in their native tongue, I get lost. This is a frustrating series of events and can be embarrassing. I did a little research out of curiosity.
Turns out my thought that it was all BS? I’m wrong. Separating recall vs. recognition is a good start.
It’s the cognitive quirk that explains why you might not be able to list a lot of the people you went to high school with, but would be able to name them if you saw their photos. Recognition is easier than recall, and in language this translates to the many levels of understanding specific words:
- ignorance
- recognition (you’ve seen it but don’t know what it means)
- recognition with comprehension
- tip-of-the-tongue effect (you know there’s a word that fits the bill but can’t think of it instantly)
- ability to instantly recall and use in speech
To do do well on the verbal portion of the SATs or be able to read fluently in another language, for example, you only need to recognize a word and its definition. But to be able to speak it, you have to be able to recall (and conjugate) the word instantly.
Writing, reading, speaking and listening in any language all require different sets of skills. Much of speaking is real-time imitation – we use the same vocabulary and structures of those around us. By contrast, reading and writing give us a broader base of words and grammar. We’re not simply copying, but actually creating something in a different language. The practice with different structure and combinations allows us to more fully engrain the essence of the language into our minds. Then, to speak it, we transfer our understanding from our “slow memory” to our “quick memory.” The combination of slow and quick allows us to comprehend more of the speech around us.
Ultimately, conversing in a language requires a lot more than just memorizing nouns and conjugations. True understanding requires practice not only speaking but listening as well.
Mente fuerte,
Kap
Michelle says
muy buen post. (google)
Michelle says
muy bien post (i’m trying)
bill says
If you speak just one language, I think there are few more rewarding accomplishments than learning a second. While it’s never easy, consider this-you already have mastered English, and that’s one of the hardest ones out there. Now think of all the millions who have learned English as a second language…so it’s definitely doable (there are more Chinese that speak English than there are Americans!). The problem if you know just a little and are in a foreign country is that they will assume your are fluent, and THAT’S when you get in trouble! Just start with the basics and build from there-personally, I can say ‘beer’ in eleven languages!