One last rant before I start work on the re-design of the site. It's now been a year since I moved to The Netherlands and I began learning Dutch in February. Learning a language is, of course always hard, but I have to say that I've not found actually learning the language that difficult, only actually getting to use it is the hardest. Then, you find yourself going round in circles, from the trying to converse, to then thinking why do I bother, to back to making the effort again.
Why? Today, it became apparant.
My problem is so it seems, that I either do a good job of fitting into this culture, or I look Dutch (whatever that is). People assume I'm Dutch and talk to me, then expecting a fluent response. I can respond, and do, in as best Dutch as possible. I have to say I am semi-fluent, but sometimes I'm missing a word, or my pronnounciation is too 'English'. Often then the reaction I get is then in English, but most annoyingly is mid-sentence of trying in Dutch the other person says, 'you can say it in English'. Fine, I can, it's my mother tongue after all, but why have I bothered then to learn Dutch, and how am I ever going to get better or learn to say what I want to say in all kinds of situations? Learning a language doesn't just come from learning grammer in a classroom, it comes from experience.
So at this point, I usually wonder why I bother, and give up. Not actually a good feeling anyway, this is then confirmed when I hear an advert on the radio to get people learning the language, or have a conversation with someone who is wondering if I have learn't any Dutch. So then I end up at square 1, trying to converse.
On the other hand, sometimes it does go ok, and I've spent a whole evening in a group never speaking a word of English. Of course everyone's different, but one word to anyone who meets someone trying to learn your langugage: be patient, let them have time to compose what they want to say, and then don't be scared to correct them in a tacktful way. You only learn from your mistakes, but part of that is also realising what was incorrect. Goes for all things in life I suppose.
So anyway, I'm caught up in this process, and a battle of wills. Or a loosing battle some might say.
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I guess it's a bit of a roller-coaster learning a new language AND living in a new culture. I can't really imagine - it must be tough. Especially when the English language is so pervasive and global - the Dutch probably think they're helping you out by speaking English. Even if they do that, I would continue speaking Dutch and tell them it's for your own good! ;)
ReplyDeleteCannot believe it is whole year since you guys moved out. How's Doris getting to grips with the language?
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A year, and it's gone so fast!
ReplyDeleteIt's a real pain because on the one hand it's so good that people here can speak such good English. A lot of English expats I've met have tried to learn Dutch, but just gave up as there's no point. No motivation either. But I want to learn and fit in, because it does in the long term, alienate you...and actually you miss so much of what's going on around you. I'm such a nosy person, so that's basically what keeps me going!! I'm also about to finish reading my 2nd book, so can read and listen, just am still a mute.
I do get annoyed though when someone is getting annoyed that one of said friend above, doesn't speak any Dutch. So, I would say it's more of those spinning rides where the carriages go up and down, such a drama queen eh!
Doris is fine, she still can only say meeee-aaauw brrr, and she misses being able to visit you guys and try to get a snack just by looking cute. But there's a bit more cat than there was a year ago. Poor thing, she's on her pension now.
How are your new neigbours getting on? Hope they did something with the garden! Tom's cape party looked great btw, I saw on FB. What some crazy capers eh! Sorry, I really had to write that....