Language For Dummies

Living in another country and learning a new language at 20 years old is not easy. Even after 6 months of studying abroad and 4 months (now) working, I still feel frustrated when I can't express myself adequately in Portuguese and make stupid mistakes instigating laughter by native speakers. I know that many people experience this as well however, no one's been successfully able present the complications of living and learning a new language as well as David Sedaris. Let me just add that David is one of my favorite authors and I was ecstatic and hysterical to read his dead on interpretation of the fear and embarrassment you subject yourself to when one decides to live outside the US and learn a new language.

" My fear and discomfort crept beyond the borders of the (french language) classroom and accompanied me out onto the wide boulevards. Stopping for coffee, asking directions, depositing money in my bank account: these things were out of question, as they involved having to speak. Before beginning [french classes], there'd been no shutting me up but now I was convinced that everything I said was wrong. When the phone rang, I ignored it. If someone asked me a question, I pretended to be deaf. I knew my fear was getting to best of me when I started wondering why they don't sell cuts of meat in vending machines.
My only comfort was the knowledge that I was not alone. Huddled in the hallways and making the most of our pathetic french, my fellow students and I engaged in the sort of conversation commonly overheard in refugee camps.
"Sometime me cry alone at night."
"That be common for I, also, but be more strong, you. Much more work and someday you talk pretty. People start love you soon. Maybe tomorrow, okay."
...Over time it became impossible to believe that any of us would improve...It was mid-October when the teacher singled me out, saying "Everyday spent with you is like having a cesarean section." And it struck me that, for the first time since arriving in France, I could understand every word that someone was saying.
Understanding doesn't mean that you can suddenly speak the language. Far from it. It's a small step, nothing more, yet its rewards are intoxicating and deceptive. The teacher continued her diatribe and I settled back, bathing in the subtle beauty of each new curse and insult.
"You exhaust me with your foolishness and reward my efforts with nothing but pain, do you understand me?"
The world opened up, and it was with great joy that I responded, "I know the thing that you speak exact now. Talk me more, you, plus, please, plus.""

-Davis Sedaris Me Talk Pretty One Day

Axe: Rachel