THRIVE! Talkin'!

Don't just read the newsletter, live it!
Jump into the THRIVE! forum and get set for success!

Language, I Love

For me, foreign languages have always had a certain "je ne sais quoi". (You see - there I go again.) I love to learn languages, and I seem to have a brain that's naturally designed to pick up grammar and vocabulary. Over the years, I've been fortunate to have studied English, French, Spanish, German, and Russian. Thanks to the kind folks in the US Marine Corps, I was even able to study Arabic. "Alright, maggots, let's turn two on the present perfect tense of that transitive verb. Do it now, move!" The government's intensive training at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California cranks out hundreds of clever linguists every year.

Unfortunately, language study isn't such a big part of my life these days. (Quel fromage.) When I recently learned about a potential trip to China next year, I leapt at the chance to get back into language learning mode. Immediately, however, I was presented with a problem. How could I hit the books when I didn't have any books? In the past, I've always had textbooks and instructors. This time I'd be on my own, having to self-study. Plus, I would need a lot of flexibility since I'm constantly traveling.

What's a language nerd on-the-go to do? Quick, Batman - to the Internet! My web research revealed a number of possibilities. (At this point, I should mention that my primary interest is to be conversant in a very limited sense. I'm not planning to conduct business in Chinese or wander off into the mountains solo.) There are a number of introductory Chinese manuals available on Amazon. A few audiobook titles are available for download on Audible, but these didn't grab me either.

Then, I found language instruction software from Rosetta Stone. The company puts out instructional CDs in a number of languages and at various levels. Their approach is an immersive learning environment that combines pictures, listening, reading, and speaking skills. It seemed right up my alley and the overall reviews seemed positive. It's a bit pricey, but have you considered the cost of not learning Chinese? (Yeah, that didn't work with my wife either, but she ended up playing along.)

This week, I was at Boston's Logan airport with a bit of time to kill. I saw the Rosetta Stone shelf at the Borders airport store, and I decided to make my move. I asked the clerk to retrieve the package, and he emerged from the storeroom with the telltale yellow box. I was giddy as he began to ring up my order.

While airport workers aren't renowned for their ability to chit-chat, our guy broke the mold. He mentioned that he had studied Chinese at Middlebury College in Vermont - a school that is world famous in the language community.

When I mentioned my upcoming trip, his 30-second instructional advice to me was curious: "Hello is Nǐ hǎo. Goodbye is Zàijiàn. I'm sorry is Duìbùqǐ."

Okay, the first two seem helpful enough, but "I'm sorry"? Sure, if I step on someone's yak or I stereotype an entire culture, I'll want to apologize. But our clerk was suggesting that when engaging with locals, I should be prepared to ingratiate myself when I would inevitably struggle with the lingo.

That's where I draw the line.

When you pursue your goals, leave your comfort zone, and try something new - you don't have to be ashamed of any shortcomings. Period. Don't let that type of mentality hold you back. If you want to learn how to swing dance, bring it. Don't apologize for looking ridiculous - embrace the experience and enjoy. If you want to read poetry in front of your local book club, don't apologize for being nervous. Sally forth. If you want to learn how to skydive, get good insurance.

More often than not, the people around you will appreciate your efforts and your willingness to try something new. The only time you need to apologize is to yourself if you've been avoiding trying something you'd really like to do. (Helpful hint: It's never too late to start!) Press yourself to act and don't look back. You deserve to be successful and happy in this world, but these things won't come without personal sacrifice and some hard work.

Do I expect to become fluent in Chinese? No. Do I expect my hosts to appreciate my feeble attempts to speak their language? Yes. I think they'll appreciate my investment in learning about their culture and their livestock.

At least I know that's how I feel when I see someone following through in their own personal development efforts.

Related Links

Quote of the Week

"Think like a wise man but communicate in the language of the people.”
William Butler Yeats

Coaching Quickie: Language, I Love

Check back next week for results!

Last Week's Results

Coaching Quickie: Give Me a C
How would you rate your latest collaboration?

(33%) Awesome – Everything really came together when I reached out.
(67%) Pretty Good – We had some bumps but it all worked out.
(00%) Fine – I think I could’ve done it all myself, but the company was nice.
(00%) Horrible – Biggest mistake of my life.

If you missed it, you can read last week's newsletter online here.