| Pages in topic: < [1 2 3] > | Poll: How old were you when you started receiving input in your second language? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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| Why not indeed? | Oct 13, 2008 |
Amy Duncan wrote: Nesrin wrote:
Can you seriously imagine a professional translator first ever learning a foreign language in his/her 40s, 50s or beyond? (Well until now the poll suggests that there isn't).
Why not?
Indeed, why not? Human beings can learn in any age. I intend to continue learning new languages into my nineties, or whatever age I manage to live to.
Will I translate from it? Yes, after I have learned it well. I have done some translation from Portuguese - the language I started learning when I was 40.
Back to the original question: I started to learn English at the age of 25, when I immigrated. I started to learn Spanish at 27. I learned them both well enough to become a Spanish-English interpreter, and to aspire to get court certification as such (that's what I'm working on right now). Sure, there will be people skeptical about my ability to do it, but I will not let it stop me.
| | | | Kunik 
Local time: 10:53
English to Latvian
+ ...
I must s*ck as a translator. Don't understand this question.
Anyway, my first second language was what is now my last second language in terms of knowledge. I barely speak it now. I don't know what applies...
[Edited at 2008-10-13 19:06]
| | | | Interlangue (X)
Angola
Local time: 10:53
English to French
+ ...
| Second, mother, third language... | Oct 13, 2008 |
What this poll calls my "second" language is the first one I ever spoke: the language of my parents, used at home and with the family at large, on visits and holidays. I never really considered this as my mother tongue because I never went to school in Dutch nor was it the language used to play with friends.
At the age of 17, I learned English as an exchange student in an American school, living with a Czech/American family.
Those are the 2 languages I translate from, even though th... See more What this poll calls my "second" language is the first one I ever spoke: the language of my parents, used at home and with the family at large, on visits and holidays. I never really considered this as my mother tongue because I never went to school in Dutch nor was it the language used to play with friends.
At the age of 17, I learned English as an exchange student in an American school, living with a Czech/American family.
Those are the 2 languages I translate from, even though the languages I hold a degree for are Russian and Spanish, followed more recently by Italian (in my late 30ies). I can't keep them all up + specialist fields, and still have some kind of life...
[Modifié le 2008-10-13 19:27] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Fabio Descalzi
Uruguay
Local time: 05:53
Member (2004)
German to Spanish
+ ...
I attended a bilingual German-Uruguayan school since kindergarten, so my exposure to my second language started at age 4.
Being 11 I started with English; being 13, with French (albeit just 3 years and over). Then being 15 I undertook Portuguese and Italian on my own, and ever since I am able to communicate in all 6 languages. My Italian and French are not that fantastic, but at least I don't really feel a stranger in Italy and France ... See more I attended a bilingual German-Uruguayan school since kindergarten, so my exposure to my second language started at age 4.
Being 11 I started with English; being 13, with French (albeit just 3 years and over). Then being 15 I undertook Portuguese and Italian on my own, and ever since I am able to communicate in all 6 languages. My Italian and French are not that fantastic, but at least I don't really feel a stranger in Italy and France
With 16 I further tried with some other languages (but never achieved a reasonable level of ability as to speak or write). ▲ Collapse
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| I understand the meaning | Oct 13, 2008 |
But my 2 second languages are 2 (French and English) and am native in Italian.
Anyway I replied 0-10 because I started learning French when I was 3 in France and English when I was 6.
I usually communicate in Italian, English and French.
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Language: Afrikaans
Reason: Moved to South Africa from the UK. Although the province we moved to - then known as the Orange Free State - supposedly had dual-medium schools (i.e. tuition in English and Afrikaans), I was taught most of my subjects in Afrikaans as there were not enough English students to justify separate English classes.
I also formally learnt or was otherwise exposed to Sesotho (Southern Sotho), Pedi (Northern Sotho) and a little Zulu.
Dutc... See more Language: Afrikaans
Reason: Moved to South Africa from the UK. Although the province we moved to - then known as the Orange Free State - supposedly had dual-medium schools (i.e. tuition in English and Afrikaans), I was taught most of my subjects in Afrikaans as there were not enough English students to justify separate English classes.
I also formally learnt or was otherwise exposed to Sesotho (Southern Sotho), Pedi (Northern Sotho) and a little Zulu.
Dutch and Portuguese followed far later. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Mariam Osmann
Egypt
Local time: 10:53
Member (2007)
English to Arabic
+ ...
| When I was 4 | Oct 13, 2008 |
like Fabio I attended a bilignual school, French and Arabic.
I started with the English 7 years later.
but continued to study history, geography and religion in Arabic while science and math in French.
I also teach science in both English and French.
| | | | Juan Jacob
Mexico
Local time: 02:53
French to Spanish
+ ...
| Don't have a second language. | Oct 13, 2008 |
Spanish (from mom) and French (from daddy) are my very first languages.
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AJL MedCom (X)
Canada
Local time: 04:53
Chinese to English
+ ...
| Errant question | Oct 13, 2008 |
Whoever phrased this question has got the theory of "input" wrong. Input and intake, a subset of input, was first formally promulgated by Kreshner in the eighties. The question should be "at what age did you begin acquiring your second language", since language acquisition is different from input. Alternatively it can be "at what age were you initially exposed to your second language".
| | | | | Now I understand | Oct 14, 2008 |
After reading some replies I finally understand the question. I hope.
So: I have started learning my second language this year (Cantonese - as I live in HK, this is my second language).
Anni
| | | | | Second language learned isn't always the strongest L2 | Oct 14, 2008 |
Phillippa Bennett wrote:
If second language refers to my first foreign language, it would be French, which I was first exposed to when I was around 8/9. I then started German when I was 13 and studied it for 5 years. What I would call my real second language, in terms of strength and usage, is Portuguese, which I started studying when I was 18 at University. Portuguese and English are my habitual languages of communication.
[Edited at 2008-10-13 17:02]
Much like Phillippa, I started learning Spanish at 11, French at 13, and Portuguese at 19, but since I married a Brazilian and we spoke Portuguese at home for many years, my third foreign language is by far my strongest.
Although most of my work is from Spanish, I translate more DEFTLY from Portuguese because the nuances are so clear to me.
| | | | Nesrin
United Kingdom
Local time: 09:53
English to Arabic
+ ...
| Sure, human beings can learn at any age... | Oct 14, 2008 |
Alexandra Goldburt wrote: Amy Duncan wrote: Nesrin wrote:
Can you seriously imagine a professional translator first ever learning a foreign language in his/her 40s, 50s or beyond? (Well until now the poll suggests that there isn't).
Why not? Indeed, why not? Human beings can learn in any age. I intend to continue learning new languages into my nineties, or whatever age I manage to live to.
I'm not sure you understood me, Amy and Alexandra. I don't doubt for a moment that it is possible to start learning new languages in one's 40s and beyond.
What I am finding hard to imagine, is that someone could reach their 40s EXCLUSIVELY speaking his/her native language - not even having the concept of what a foreign language is, THEN start to learn a language, and THEN actually go on to become a professional translator.
But that may be just me with my limited imagination and understanding of human nature (and poll results are indeed starting to show some exceptions).
[Edited at 2008-10-14 09:01]
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Nigel Greenwood (X)
Spain
Local time: 10:53
Spanish to English
+ ...
| A very interesting poll | Oct 14, 2008 |
To say the least, this poll/subject has posed many answers with different concepts; some fail to understand the answer, others express much knowledge of languages, etc.
Personally, although I took Spanish as a second language during my schooling, it was not until I moved to Spain, (when I was 19) that I started to fully understand the language, not only that, but also to live and communicate as an 'adopted' Spaniard, (my wife is Spanish), assisted me in 'understanding' why some terminolog... See more To say the least, this poll/subject has posed many answers with different concepts; some fail to understand the answer, others express much knowledge of languages, etc.
Personally, although I took Spanish as a second language during my schooling, it was not until I moved to Spain, (when I was 19) that I started to fully understand the language, not only that, but also to live and communicate as an 'adopted' Spaniard, (my wife is Spanish), assisted me in 'understanding' why some terminology is used.
Where I live in Spain, there is a conflict between Valencian and Catalan “languages”; this also has helped me to become more knowledgeable about the reasons behind the choice of terminology.
My wide professional experience, as an international trader has given me the facility of translating from Spanish to English and vice versa, without any preference.
Whatever, Translating is a very rewarding career and I am happy to be one. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Williamson
United Kingdom
Local time: 09:53
Flemish to English
+ ...
Being a Belgian, I have always been in contact with French. My first girl-friend (Walloon, living near Waterloo) her native tongue was French and we met at a party in Ireland to celebrate the Belgian national holiday: Fraternization between Flemish and Walloons.
That was 1974,which means that I have been using French actively for 36 years.
With English I started in 1973, German 1975 and Spanish 1980. I understand Italian, Portuguese (reading and understanding of quality newspapers) ... See more Being a Belgian, I have always been in contact with French. My first girl-friend (Walloon, living near Waterloo) her native tongue was French and we met at a party in Ireland to celebrate the Belgian national holiday: Fraternization between Flemish and Walloons.
That was 1974,which means that I have been using French actively for 36 years.
With English I started in 1973, German 1975 and Spanish 1980. I understand Italian, Portuguese (reading and understanding of quality newspapers) and basic Romanian and Russian. Unfortunately, these language courses and grammars are in my cellar.
Maintaining those five languages up to a certain level whilst trying to earn a living and specialising is not easy.
[Edited at 2008-10-14 09:22] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Miranda Joubioux (X)
Local time: 10:53
French to English
| Can't remember really but >10 | Oct 14, 2008 |
My brothers went to France on a holiday exchange and came back with lots of Tintins and Asterixes when I was quite young. They promptly told me I wouldn't be able to read them and being stubborn as I am, I decided to prove them wrong. I also heard their exchanges speaking in French.
At school we started French when I was about 10 or 11.
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