The other day, for example, I learned that Gitano, a brand of jeans, means gypsy. And Colibrí, which I’ve seen on lighters, means hummingbird. The restaurant at Neiman Marcus is Mariposa, which means butterfly. (Oh, that’s why they have all those butterflies suspended above the escalators...)
I’m learning the previously secret meanings of the town and city names I grew up with, such as Escondido (hidden), Mission Viejo (old mission), Las Colinas (the hills) and even that city that supposedly keeps its secrets, Las Vegas (fertile valleys).
Honestly, I’m one of the least talented people you’ll meet for learning a new language—but slowly learning my second language has been a joy every step of the way, mainly because of technology. So if you’ve been on the edge about committing to learn your next language, read on.
Since my last post about the helpful digital assistants just waiting to provide you with a virtual immersion experience, I’ve discovered yet more of these digital docents thanks to the iPhone.
The answer to my language-learning dream
No, I don’t work for Apple. But in the first week of iPhone ownership, Apps have changed my life as a second-language learner. Here’s how:
¡Asombroso! (Amazing!)
There’s another Spanish-language game App I’ve been playing called 24/7 Tutor, and a marvelous Spanish/English dictionary App, both now in the palm of my hand.
When Lori and I visited our older son, Cal, in Beijing while he was on his junior year abroad, the first thing he raved about was how much an iPhone app was helping his Chinese. He demonstrated by tracing his finger on the screen to make a Chinese character, and up popped the definition. “The electronic Chinese dictionary on my iPhone is always faster and more convenient to use than a paper dictionary,” says Cal.
The other night I was at a dinner sitting next to a woman who confessed she wanted to finally get back to her college French and learn the language—just for herself. I pulled out my iPhone and proceeded to amaze her.
I feel like we’re now living the scene in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast when the cups, knives and forks come to life and start singing and dancing “Be Our Guest, Be Our Guest, Be Our Guest!”
What we have today, in the digital tools at our fingertips, is just that magical.
Do you have a new language-learning tale to share? I’d love to hear. Just click on the Comments link below with your submission. (If you’re reading this as an email, click here and you'll connect to Comments).
I like the Pimsleur program for learning a language. It teaches without using a book. It teaches one the language the way you learned your native tongue: by doing; hearing and speaking. Plus, you can acquire quite a good accent with the program.
Posted by: redcatbicycliste | November 22, 2009 at 03:31 AM
I'm learning French by two means, with both Pimsleur and a Nintendo DS French Coach program. They both are very good and seem to fill in the other's weak spots.
Posted by: Nancy | January 10, 2010 at 08:14 AM
I grew up speaking Spanish, so learning French was just a hop, skip and a jump away. It was one of the best things I ever did, because it opened up a world I never would have known otherwise: the world of Paul Verlaine, Gustave Flaubert and Colette.
Now that you are learning Spanish, you can finally read Pablo Neruda en espanol--now how great is that!
Posted by: Clementina Llanes | January 23, 2010 at 01:41 AM
i would like to learn french.
Posted by: DANIEL SHIKUKU | May 27, 2019 at 04:55 AM