Learn Languages with Steve Kaufmann I’ve learned 20 languages: what keeps me going?
Jun 27, 2024
Exploring the role of language input in learning, the speaker reflects on their multilingual journey, from French and Spanish to Slavic and neighboring Asian languages. They discuss historical and cultural ties among languages like Russian, Czech, and Ukrainian, emphasizing the importance of forming connections in language acquisition.
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French Learning Journey
- Steve Kaufmann's French learning began in school with grammar exercises, but he couldn't speak fluently.
- Professor Rabotin at McGill University made French civilization interesting, sparking his journey.
Hitchhiking and Spanish
- Kaufmann leveraged his French knowledge to learn Spanish while hitchhiking in Spain.
- Constant immersion and conversations with drivers facilitated his Spanish acquisition.
Effort in Related Languages
- While related languages can facilitate learning, significant effort is still required.
- Kaufmann highlights the need for dedicated study even with similar languages like Italian and Portuguese.