As for the loss of ability with language, I have a greater problem: Due to my allergies my hearing is not doing well.
I have to go in to the doctor, but I have the constant sensation of being underwater and occasional ringing in my ears. I haven't had the dizziness and disorientation that I encountered earlier in the fall, but not being able to hear clearly without intense concentration has been a real problem.
The age-affected issue has been my memory. I still have a good memory, but not the quick grasp I used to have.
I don't think I'll ever have the feel for Japanese that I have for Tibetan and German, I agree. German I started in kindergarten, and Tibetan in my late teens. I wish I could do both German and Japanese - in German I'm just on that cusp of fluency. I just need the extra push, and review of the structure. Tibetan's not quite as far, but I have the same 'feel' for the language.
Waldorf believes that one need only study two different types of language in childhood - a 'harsh' gutteral tone one and a 'light' or nasal tone one - to be able to develop the palate to form words in other languages. That I believe is tne main difference. I think this is true, but Asian languages have a few sounds European languages don't prepare us for. Thank goodness I learned a tonal language (Tibetan) while I was still pretty young. I don't think I'll ever get the Japanese l/r.
no subject
I have to go in to the doctor, but I have the constant sensation of being underwater and occasional ringing in my ears. I haven't had the dizziness and disorientation that I encountered earlier in the fall, but not being able to hear clearly without intense concentration has been a real problem.
The age-affected issue has been my memory. I still have a good memory, but not the quick grasp I used to have.
I don't think I'll ever have the feel for Japanese that I have for Tibetan and German, I agree. German I started in kindergarten, and Tibetan in my late teens. I wish I could do both German and Japanese - in German I'm just on that cusp of fluency. I just need the extra push, and review of the structure. Tibetan's not quite as far, but I have the same 'feel' for the language.
Waldorf believes that one need only study two different types of language in childhood - a 'harsh' gutteral tone one and a 'light' or nasal tone one - to be able to develop the palate to form words in other languages. That I believe is tne main difference. I think this is true, but Asian languages have a few sounds European languages don't prepare us for. Thank goodness I learned a tonal language (Tibetan) while I was still pretty young. I don't think I'll ever get the Japanese l/r.
Icarus