My Journey Through Multiple Languages: A Personal Account

A question I often get asked is: how many languages have I successfully learned? To be honest, I can count them on one finger. Yet, the languages that I have attempted to learn are quite varied, and my experience is both extensive and fascinating.

The Start: Spanish from Kindergarten

My language journey began in my elementary school, which is not just any school but the first zero emission building in Virginia. The highlight of the school was a remarkable slide from the second to the first floor. However, what stands out the most from this period is the language class I took. In my kindergarten through 4th grade, my teacher, an Italian, spoke in Spanish and engaged us with baby educational shows in the same language. However, we were never required to actually speak or learn Spanish in a formal way.

A Multilingual Dabbling

Formerly, when people ask how many languages I know, I would confidently answer seven. However, as time has passed, I have come to understand that many of these languages are out of practice, leaving me with a handful that I can confidently communicate in.

Russian

Beginning with my native language, Russian, I can read, write, and speak it almost fluently despite occasional mistakes. This is due to my family leaving Russia early and me never attending proper grammar classes. Despite this, I am still confident in my understanding and usage of the language, although it is not in everyday practice. I maintain a Russian Quora account and often find myself writing in this language.

Spanish

My journey with Spanish began as a small child, so I gained a natural fluency in it and a deep understanding of its grammar. While I can communicate in both Russian and Spanish, I often feel more comfortable writing in Russian. My Spanish Quora account remains active, and I regularly engage with Spanish speakers.

English

English has been my lifelong companion, starting from before I learned to read. I am fully fluent in it, making it my go-to language for most of my communication. English has been a constant presence in my life, from early childhood to the present day.

French

My formal education in French started at school, and it has been further supplemented by visits to France and French-speaking Switzerland. While I am not fluent in speaking French, I can understand formal written texts and write in it somewhat. My French Quora account is active, but I do not use it frequently.

German and Italian

German and Italian were languages I started learning independently for immersion through platforms like Duolingo. Despite not taking formal classes, I can read both languages quite well. German is particularly challenging for me due to the complex grammar, and I have made a Duolingo account but rarely use it. Italian, however, is much easier, and I have a small following on my Italian Quora profile.

Portuguese and Romanian

Portuguese and Romanian were learned through apps like Memrise and Duolingo. While I am comfortable holding basic conversations in Portuguese, Romanian remains a challenge. I can read Portuguese, but Romanian grammar is a bit confusing for me, and I have an interest in deepening my knowledge of the language through a grammar book.

Other Languages

Other languages I have dabbled in include Finnish, Swedish, Germanic languages like Dutch, non-European languages like Hindi and Hebrew, and Slavic languages like Ukrainian. I left these for later due to the lack of suitable learning apps and platforms for practice.

The Future

Looking forward, I am eager to learn more languages, specifically Ukrainian, Catalan, and perhaps some Southern Slavic languages. My plan is to improve my German skills before taking up Dutch, and I will revisit non-European and Slavic languages when I feel more confident.

Language learning is a journey, and while it can be challenging, it is also incredibly rewarding. Whether it's a formal language or just a few conversational phrases, each language opens a new door to the world and its culture.