Today classes started. I laughed to myself when the opening speaker describe language study as a series of plateaus, so of course I had to make a joke about Deleuze and Guattari. It was a thought provoking presentation in other ways, however. He cautioned those of us who deal with theory to be patient, because our progress will feel different from wrestling with theoretical concepts. I appreciated this warning when I went to my actual class, because it was hard not to get frustrated.
I signed up for the beginner's level because I knew that my language skills, such as they were, have atrophied in the ten years I've been back stateside. (TEN YEARS.) This is not to say that I had some nice delusions of somehow impressing everyone, including myself, with a higher level of proficiency than I know I have. That did not happen, so I found myself learning vowel sounds and tone rules once again. I felt a bit better because most of my classmates are in similar positions: they know a little, but not enough. As I said, though, it was also slightly frustrating. I LEARNED this before, I wanna skip to translating documents and other media! But as the class went on, I realized how good it would be for me to learn the very basics, to know HOW the language works, and not just be able to parrot words or phrases. I will just have to keep reminding myself of this.
Madison continues to impress, mostly with how hilly it is! I am working on getting back my city legs as I walk everywhere. There is a wonderful feeling of freedom in not needing a car. The other SEASSI folks seem like an interesting and entertaining bunch, from the dudebro who is proud of his drunken exploits to butterfly researchers who use the butterflies as benchmarks for environmental changes along the Mekong river. There are a lot of nomads, who, like me, have a difficult time with the question, "Where are you from?" So I feel pretty comfortable. Now I just have to remember all the vowel sounds.
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