Hey so today we're going to discuss 3 tips that I've identified that one can you use to learn a new language.


full disclosure, I am not a reading Specialist or a foreign language expert.


I am the guinea pig in this example. I've taken on the task of learning an ancient rarely used language. and I've decided to share my experience in acquiring the skills.


now before you can Venture into a language my perspective you have to have some sort of goal. Are you trying to decipher this language in order to study a primary source, go on a vacation in a place where they speak this language, or something like that.


For me the objective is a matter of my family heritage. My family has lived in Aden four generations,  and Aramaic was one of the three languages used within an our families’ community.


and once you have the purpose identified you never want to get to the Practical side of a language. Most languages that I know of when it comes to the written text, are simply symbols. The words are symbols, the letters could be symbols sentences could be symbols. Do you want to be able to understand what symbol equals what sound.


Then the more advanced version of this is that the symbol also has a meaning. So for example when I write the letter c a k e. For somebody who's going to be learning the English language they would have to understand the sounds of those four letters as they are weaved together. and then one would want to know when you say those four letters as that sound what is the meaning.


but the three tips I wanted to share and today's episode have to do with the next step. The Next Step that I have taking on in learning this language cold Aramaic has to do with steps


1) read. even if you don't know what the symbol means. Reading that symbol out loud is very important. So for example when I'm trying to work on a piece of Aramaic legal text. I'll take a sentence and read it out loud twice.


2) write.  Then after I read that sentence twice I will go through the sentence and write down any words assuming I've been doing this for a while and it's not the first time I'm trying to decipher this language and symbols. I will write down the word I don't understand and its original symbol and then write or find the English word that will help me understand that symbol, word


3)hear. next I will review that sentence and read it out loud a few more times so that I can hear myself reading it. And then hear myself reading it as I explained that sentenced to myself using the  the key words I may not know from step number two.


it goes without saying that the most natural way to learn any language is from immersion being forced to use the words The Sounds in context. To hear it being used.


this is only the beginning of my venture in trying to master this ancient language.


I hope to keep you updated. At some point in the future I'll try to share  what I've been able to accomplish, what challenges I may have faced, and what has worked for me.

---

Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dyslexia-friendly/support