In my world of imagination and observation, I have seen that in learning a language, one goes through levels of NOT UNDERSTANDING LANGUAGE. This is what I am talking about.
There could be more but so far I have experienced and come to the realization of three levels . This just occurred to me as I progress with my Japanese language studies. But first, my language background.
In the 19 or so years I have lived, I can express almost anything I want to in English and Rukiga/Runyankole. I in way learned some Luganda, atleast enough to follow any casual conversation, though not able to speak much. I leaned a little Kiswahili whose little remains have been washed out of my brain by Japanese. I also learned French though too little to talk about.
Apart from English, these other languages I learned as I grew up and can't mention when I started. Even for English, I could say it is the same since it is one of the languages we use at home and started learning English in kindergarten.
With this background I start Japanese class. Here is where the first level of not understanding presents itself.
1. Where you do not know everything, except nothing. When you want to communicate, you can do nothing with a language. This is the most obvious state of not understanding a language. Like I do not know Portuguese, even if I heard people speak, I can't tell what language it is because I know not even a single word. In other words, as much as the language in question is concerned, there is no communication for you.
As one starts learning, there comes another level of not understanding. It also covers not being understood.
2. After you have put together some knowledge of a language, you are so eager to express yourself. This form comes in when you say things and to your listeners, what you say makes no sense.This could be a problem of wrong grammar, limited vocabulary or wrong word usage. In the same way, you hear or read, but the sense does not come out of it. Communication is not made.
Third is more like the second but quite different. Because even in familiar with languages something similar happens.
3. When you speak and the message that is received is not what you intended to communicate. I think in most cases it is due to the hidden, secondary or uncommon meanings and usages of words and phrases. Or it could just be a standard way of communicating something which is different from other languages. I have heard times friends and teachers have to correct me, "Japanese people do not say this, otherwise the other will be perceived". In this case, though communication is made, the sent message is different from the one received.
What then is the essence of this?
Being aware of this can help one realize their vulnerability as they learn language. Some misunderstandings can actually have fatal consequences. Knowing your weakness is to help you not fall prey where you can avoid.
Let us learn languages cautiously and be better communicators, for better relationships and a better world for us to live.
Original post was my Note on Facebook (November 25th 2010)
