Estoy aprendiendo español.
I’m learning Spanish.
It’s one of those online programs you take at your own pace. I was inspired — or is the right word shamed — by colleagues from other countries who can speak two or more languages fluently.
And here I stumble about, barely doing English justice.
So now at night, while I’m plopped down in front of the TV watching Dancing with the Stars, I’m conjugating Spanish verbs. It’s a lot of fun (or, I should say, ‘muy divertido’).
Studies reveal it’s good for me, too.
In Europe, my perception of intelligence increases twofold if I, an American, speak a second language. Much more importantly, my long-term brain health is given a tremendous boost, too.
Specifically, a study at York University in Toronto found that patients diagnosed with Alzheimers who spoke a second language exhibited symptoms as much as five years later than their monolingual counterparts.
Wow. That’s the most effective advertisement for the Rosetta Stone I’ve ever heard.
So, if you know a second language, practice it. And if you don’t, consider learning one. It’s good for your brain.
Estudio, mis amigos!
I’m bilingual but I would love to learn the french language. I’ve seen some french films. The pronunciation of words is a tough one plus the accent.
Nice post. I remember my grandmother at the late stages of dementia, not recognizing her own daughter but still conjugating her Latin verbs. Buena suerte con sus esfuerzos.
Gracias!
You may be interested in my blog, which deals with the many connections between words in Spanish and English.