frodo lives!

A Few Words About the Blog

Frodolives is the blog of a young linguaphile and wannabe polyglot. The name stems from my deep affinity for both the Lord of the Rings and the work of eminent linguist J.R.R. Tolkien.

In “real life” I am a student interested in Cognitive Science and Psycholinguistics. I’m especially interested in looking at the way we acquire first and second languages, and how the method in which we learn affects competence in a foreign language. As such, parts of this blog will consist of a “literature review” in which I summarize interesting articles I’ve read.

The majority of the blog, however, will recount the trials and tribulations of learning a foreign language. I hope that many of you will be able to commiserate! To check out other blogs with a similar focus, make sure to take a look at my blogroll.

Languages

Spanish: This was the first foreign language I encountered, and the one that I speak the best. I first began studying Spanish during high school. We used what François of How To Learn Any Lanuage calls the “hair shirt way” of learning. It was not particularly effective, however it did spark my interest in the language.

As a university student, I was required to take two years of a foreign language. I elected to study Spanish once more, as I could skip the first year and just finish the second one. These classes focused on total immersion, and when I combined coursework with independent study I found myself progressing quite nicely. After finishing my requirements, I did not continue in the Spanish program, as I had found that I had progressed far beyond my peers by working at home. From there, I continued my independent work by reading, watching videos and talking to native speakers. I now speak Spanish at an advanced level, however I’m constantly looking to improve my skills.

French: I’ve always been easily seduced by the “chic factor,” and I elected to begin studying French when my Spanish felt less like working and more like keeping up with telenovelas. I’ve found French to be a beautiful language, useful for academic interests as well as for culture and style.

My French is at a very solid intermediate level. On a recent trip to France I did not have much trouble eavesdropping on the French in trains and cafés, although oftentimes the nuances eluded me. Production, on the other hand, is still a bit of a problem. I have a particularly hard time thinking out the tenses, and I’m working out how to make them come more naturally. By the end of the year, I hope to push myself to a basic advanced level in French.

Italian: I began learning Italian so I could know a few words for a trip to Italy. I figured that I would be fine knowing how to greet people, introduce myself, and order a cappuccino. I dutifully looked through a few sites on travel Italian and committed a few words to memory, thinking that would be the end of my Italian studies. Then, I got to Italy.

Surprisingly enough, Italy became my favorite place in the world within a few short days. Milano appeals to my love for art, as well as my two more shallow interests: fashion and coffee. The people were wonderful, and I was quite amazing by the amount of Italian I could understand with a background in French and Spanish. By the time I left, I was already trying to figure out when I could come back. Italian has now supplanted French in the language I am studying the most actively. I am still a beginner, but I hope to reach an advanced level after a year of intensive studying.

German: I flirt with German often, but not quite enough to have built a meaningful relationship. It’s the language that I want to learn “someday,” that I’ll take up studying actively “when I have the time.” That doesn’t stop me from thumbing through books, listening to podcasts and the like. I want to learn it, and I’m confident that I will eventually. However, I’m waiting to start until I don’t feel as if I’m biting off more than I can chew.