How did you learn your SO's language, and in how much time?

[Ken y Leidys 20]

Before meeting Onelis, my Spanish wasn't all that great. I could order a Lobster Dinner with a Cerveza down in Rosarito Beach, but not much else. Now, my Spanish is at a whole new level, and this is helping on my professional front as well as in my new relationship. I have been calling and now Skype'ing Onelis 4-5 times a week since August '07.

Question: How did you come about learning your significant other's (SO's) language, and how long did it take you to pull it off? Also, what have the results been thus far???

-Ken

[Alex+R 0]

Wow, you're conducting your relationship in Spanish?

[eekee 182]

I already spoke it somewhat, but of course it helps to have a tutor on call.

[Amby 490]

well it took me a really long time maybe 2yrs or so when I was a baby to learn english so neil and I can comminucate very well now

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I don't remember how long it took.

[GabiandVi 34]

Well, my SO has several languages. He is West African, so he grew up speaking a couple of different African langauges until he went to school where he studied in French, the official language of his country. I already spoke French relatively well when we met, and we initially communicated entirely in French. In fact, the fact that he spoke French was why we got together. I wanted to practice my French and he was glad to find a person in China who knew a little something about the area (he was new to it) and who spoke French.

After a few months, I began to realize that he understood everything I was saying when I spoke to my friends, so we switched to English. I'm not sure I'm happy about that. Anyway, I've never learned his native language, Fongbe. I was too busy trying to learn Chinese, which I never did. His Chinese was very good, so mine did not have to be.

Now I'm insisting that he speak French to our daughter. He wants to speak Fongbe to her, but all he ever speaks is English. I'd be okay with Fongbe over English, but I would prefer French because she can learn to read and write in French. There is no literature written in Fongbe. She can learn that after she learns French. She currently says a few words in English and a few in Chinese, but she'll lose all her Chinese after we move to the US

[Kathryn41 3,207]

hehehe, sorry, I can't resist - he is still learning Canadian english! and I am still learning American english! You'd be surprised at the differences. I know- not the same at all - but as I said, I couldn't resist.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Yeah right. Have you ever tried to speak Amharic with a European tongue?

[Ken y Leidys 20]

Wow, you're conducting your relationship in Spanish?

100% Spanish. Its to the point that it feels strange to speak English when I am there visiting. Everyone just looks at you funny like its a joke or something. In the 3 weeks I spent in Colombia, I only met 3 people who spoke English - 2 Californians (from Fresno), and 1 Colombian student who spoke excellent English.

[bora bora 1]

I learned Portuguese in about 3 months. I had done some minimal studying in college before, but that was only 1-2 times a week so I didn't know much more than "My name is...".

I met my husband 4 months into my stay in Brazil so we have always communicated in his language - until now. Presently I let him speak Portuguese to me, but usually answer in English.

[Nessa 23]

it is not fair that only one learn the other language. so to be fair, we decided to learn japanese and communicate only in japanese.

[panamania79 2]

Before meeting Onelis, my Spanish wasn't all that great. I could order a Lobster Dinner with a Cerveza down in Rosarito Beach, but not much else. Now, my Spanish is at a whole new level, and this is helping on my professional front as well as in my new relationship. I have been calling and now Skype'ing Onelis 4-5 times a week since August '07.

Question: How did you come about learning your significant other's (SO's) language, and how long did it take you to pull it off? Also, what have the results been thus far???

-Ken

I learned Spanish in 3 months while growing up in th Canal Zone in the 70's.

[JeanneVictoria 55]

I'm still learning arabic

[DeadPoolX 9]

My wife still hasn't learned my language. She speaks and writes in Canadian English instead of American English.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

My wife still hasn't learned my language. She speaks and writes in Canadian English instead of American English.

That American English is just too damn difficult, eh?