Paint With Words

I know this is meant to be a literature and writing blog, but I’ve been wanting to say for a long time how I think learning foreign languages helps with writing, believe it or not. I’m fluent in French, and semi-fluent in German. I can pick apart bits and pieces of Spanish, Italian, Dutch, and Swedish, as all of those languages are linked. I’d like to learn at least Italian and Dutch, and possibly Latin. Obviously, it expands your vocabulary, and global awareness if you delve into it far enough, but it solidifies everything you’ve ever been taught in school about grammar.

Seriously, who remembers learning about subjects and predicates in the 3rd grade? The first recess afterwards, you forget it. Most people can barely use there/their/they’re and your/you’re properly, nevertheless understand the finer inklings of their native language. But learning a foreign language takes everything you’re taught from K-8, and crams it all in your head really fast. It’s known that it’s easier to learn another language at a younger age, but on the flipside, at that age, you don’t really remember the structure of it. Even a kid growing up in a bilingual household can speak both languages flawlessly, but it’s not like they could breakdown the structures of either. At least not yet.

But once you hit the high school level, it all changes. You have 2 years, minimum, to learn a language and gain enough proficiency to pass, and then graduate high school with enough requirted classes. Everything you learned in your early education? Bam, it’s all crammed into the first 2 weeks of class. You have to learn it, and learn it fast.

So what the heck am I rambling for? haha! I’m rambling because, once you’re at this point, you have a better understanding and comprehension of things, on a general level. So when your teacher is talking to you about subject verb agreements, tenses, and gendered nouns, it doesn’t sound so abstract. Then, as you read and write in your language, your comprehension of it goes up.

So as you’re working, it’s easier to piece together your works,  you don’t just put ideas down on a page, but you understand their mechanics. You understand the best way to convey the idea that’s been rolling around in  your mind,and you now have the tools to do it.

Literature and writing classes are great, of course, but there are things language courses touch on that those don’t. Language courses are the rational side, where as writing and literature classes are the emotional side. They’re both necessary, as with anything. KNowing another language though opens up so many different ways to be able to use your abilities.

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