Showing posts with label learning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label learning. Show all posts

Friday, December 8, 2023

Languages by J. S. Marlo



 


The Red Quilt 
Sweet Christmas Story
 Click here to buy


 

 

  

My European ancestors arrived to Canada in the early 1600s, and some found romance with Native women. Since then, thirteen generations have passed, and I don't have more than a few diluted drops of Native blood left in my veins. Still, I grew up in Quebec speaking the same language as my European ancestors. French.

They say 'Necessity is the mother of invention'. Well, in my twenties after my husband was posted to Nova Scotia, necessity became the driving force behind me learning English, mostly thanks to my very patient friends & neighbours. 

Today, I fluently speak English with a French accent, and according to my relative back in Quebec, I speak French with a slight English accent.

I wish I knew more than French & English, but unless you speak a language regularly, you tend to forget it. Interestingly, there are over 7,000 different languages spoken in the world. 

Which language is the most spoken on earth? Mandarin Chinese. Spoken by 1.1 billion people, it's the official language of mainland China.

What is the second most spoken language? Spanish. Spoken by 400 millions people, it is an official language in 20 countries.

The third most spoken is the one I learned as a second language. English. Spoken by nearly 360 millions people, it's an official language in more than 80 countries and is also the international business language.

Are there any dead languages? Yes, many. A dead language is defined as a language no longer spoken as first or second language, such as Latin or Old Norse. Interestingly enough, I had two years of compulsory Latin in high school. 

What are the hardest and easiest languages to learn for English speakers?

According to Berlitz, Hungarian is the hardest, but according to Babbel, it's Mandarin Chinese. Berlitz lists Frisia (second official language in the Netherlands) then Dutch as the easiest to learn, but according to Babbel, it's... Norwegian (I didn't see that one coming).

Happy Holiday Season! Joyeux Temps des FĂȘtes!

J. S.

Thursday, August 6, 2020

Learning never stops- In my books, my characters learn things.


 You can't teach an old dog new tricks. Really?

How many times over the years have you heard that? If you're like me - plenty. Imagine my surprise and delight when I learned IT IS NOT TRUE.

We have no reason to avoid learning new habits, methods, languages, or life-skills. You can teach an old dog new tricks.  


And you can have your story characters learn new and helpful skills.

 The research and proof

Norman Doidge, M.D.'s first book is The Brain That Changes Itself.
The book featured on PBS'S The Brain Fitness Program (Youtube Link here), offers amazing stories about, and strategies for, brain flexibility. A five-star book if there ever was one. If you, or someone you know, has had a stroke, brain injury, or motor difficulties, read this book. It offers hope for recovery.

An an astonishing new science called "neuroplasticity" is overthrowing the the centuries-old notion that the human brain is immutable. In this revolutionary look at the brain, psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Norman Doidge, M.D., provides an introduction to both the brilliant scientists championing neuroplasticity and the people whose lives they've transformed. From stroke patients learning to speak again to the remarkable case of a woman born with half a brain that rewired itself to work as a whole, The Brain That Changes Itself will permanently alter the way we look at our brains, human nature, and human potential.


We can learn at any age. The stories in this book will make believers out of doubters. The hope offered to stroke patients, brain-injured, and others is remarkable.

For the rest of us, we can learn about our brains and put them to even better use. Knowing HOW our brains work lets us figure out the ways we can maximize the ways to use our brains.

For writers - Writers can use the concepts to create characters with amazing skills. Extrapolate from Doidge's research and who knows how your next character will turn out. My 'what-if' brain is running rampant through the possibilities.

One of the many positive reviews for Doidge's books.

“The power of positive thinking finally gains scientific credibility. Mind-bending, miracle-making, reality-busting stuff...with implications for all human beings, not to mention human culture, human learning and human history.”
-The New York Times


Read it or watch on Youtube


Popular Posts

Books We Love Insider Blog

Blog Archive