Do you speak different languages? What are your challenges maintaining them?

Question

As a native Spanish speaker with different levels of proficiency with three more languages, that is something I have always struggled with.

In fact, it is the reason for my project kansei.app - AI companions to practice conversations with on multiple languages.

I wonder, what methods do you use for language upkeep? would a tool like this be useful to you? what would you like to see on it if so?

Elizabeth Tishchenko · Accepted Answer

I speak 5 languages and to maintain them I have to speak with natives. No other method is as effective. You can also watch a movie or read a book in that language. It's a minimum to maintain it, but without speaking/using it won't develop much based on my personal observations.

Moritz Tomasi · Answer

I speak German, Italian and English fluently. German is my mother tongue. I grew up in Italy, so Italian is my second language, and English is required in this industry. So, the language i need to maintain is Italian, since i live in Austria now. That can be very challenging sometimes. I've noticed that it takes me longer and longer to get back into the language mindset when i go back to Italy. 10 years ago it took me maybe a week to get back into it, but now it's at least 2 weeks of constant speaking. Over the years i tried quite a few things, like reading books in Italian, watching Italian TV shows, writing in Italian, talking to my Italian relatives on the phone instead of just texting... But all of that just can't replace actually speaking the language on a day to day basis. So i think would actually be perfect for me! Will definitely check it out! Let me know when you add Italian! Obligatory self promotion: We'll be launching on August 9th. First 10 users get 100% off and everyone coming from PH will get 20% off. Would love your support! (https://www.producthunt.com/prod...)

Moritz Tomasi · Answer

@jftucci Wish you all the best for kansei. Signed up for your newsletter! If you ever need feedback you can also contact me through Twitter DM @mailbites. Always happy to help!

Anatolii · Answer

I speak 3 languages fluently. There is nothing hard to maintain them, actually. As @nevemind_com said, just read books, watch movies, and find someone you can talk to in a certain language. Talking to yourself also counts😁

Anatolii · Answer

@jftucci haha, and that's a good approach when you don't have a real person to talk to😁

Fernando Tucci · Answer

@moritztomasi Your journey is a bit similar to mine in many regards so I totally relate to that!

I will definitely add Italian and let you know. Frankly, it is a good use case for me. it is an embarrassment that I lost so much competency in Italian!

Good luck on your launch too! I don't have mine scheduled here yet, but I will be there to support yours!

Elizabeth Tishchenko · Answer

@jftucci I would be concerned for your mental health if you would do it in your native language 🤣

Fernando Tucci · Answer

@nevemind_com I completely agree. Honestly, I think I can blame a lot of my lost competency in Spanish and Italian on thinking that passive consumption would help me retain it.

It is why I started working on alternatives to be honest. Finding conversation partners is not always the easiest - and with new languages, when I am learning, social anxiety really gets on my way.

With AI , less so?

Arbaaz · Answer

Arabic Grammar is the hardest part, after conversational fluency

Fernando Tucci · Answer

@moritztomasi that's very kind of you man! thank you so much!

Fernando Tucci · Answer

@anatoly5ms I have started talking to myself like a crazy person actually. Even just pointing out things in the house like... there's the dog, that's a table, but in my target language obviously 🤣

Fernando Tucci · Answer

@nevemind_com yeah!! me too!!

Fernando Tucci · Answer

@arbaazio I have heard this from many people. Don't have personal experience, but seems a recurring theme!

Do you speak different languages? What are your challenges maintaining them?

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