No, I haven’t lost my senses. I must admit that I often talk to myself! Why? It’s just another way to practice the languages I learn, especially vocabulary and some constructions. Naturally, it would be better to have a native speaker at hand to correct me if I make a mistake, but even if there’s no one around such a way may prove to be extremely helpful. It helps me realize if my vocabulary is sufficient in each situation, and if it comes to me right when I need it.
I do it this way: when I go to the shop, I try to say in the language I learn things like where I’m going to, what I want to buy, I try to enumerate as many things as possible that come to my mind (without exaggerating though), etc. That helps me practice and see if I acquired enough vocabulary to have such a sort of conversation.
Sometimes I just have a chit-chat with myself while walking, be it in Portuguese, be it in Arabic or any other language.
This kind of practice is particularly important, especially when you don’t have native speakers in your family or among friends. Of course, I’d rather drill vocabulary connected with everyday situations than scientific disputes. Other useful subjects may be: your hobby, likes and dislikes, your favorite writer, asking the way, buying a bus ticket, etc. etc.
Usually, I do it aloud to hear the sentences coming out from my mouth. It’s simulating a real-life situation. I call it “walking like an Arab” or “walking like a Portuguese” and so on, in a metaphorical sense. I’m conscious that sometimes – when I forget that I’m talking to myself on the street – I may be taken for a crazy person, but I don’t care. If it suits my needs, why should I bother?
In fact, don’t people increasingly often look like they were talking to themselves, when they are calling someone, for example using mobile and Bluetooth? And what about Google Glass? It seems that in the future it won’t be so extraordinary to see someone walking and talking…
Do you practice your languages walking and talking to yourself?
(Fot. Rana Sawalha – Unsplash)