Learning a language

Did you ever wonder if it is possible to TRULY understand a language? Say, for instance, in France, or any other countries who don't speak english in the world, in their minds, they don't convert what poepl say into english, because theri words mean something in their language. But if someone who speaks english as a first language wants to speak french, they would have to convert the words in french into english, unless they can wipe english from their minds and learn a new language altogether, which is not likely. Thoughts?

 

Learning enough of a language to speak fluently in it is knowing the language. Truly understanding it would only be possible if you were a native speaker IMO.

 

The thought processes and thought in general is a universal concept among people. How it is conveyed is merely relative. The only real difference between other languages is the sounds and vocal formations used to convey those ideas. If give the opportunity to speak on the same terms I'm sure that Mark twain and Dostoevsky would have much in common as writers and could easily generate similar and intelligent thoughts.

 

It is generally very possible. I understand Portuguese, English And Spanish Fluently. Its simple really. Just practice unless you have parents that keep talking that language every day at home.

 

Learning a language is not just learning the words. You need to know how the words work.

For example, in French, the conjugation system is a lot more complex than in English. In English, there are merely 2 tenses that do not use modal verbs (present and preterit/simple past). In French there are 5, I think(present, preterit, imperfect, future, subjunctive).

Another example is Japanese. English and Japanese are two extremely different languages. I'll show two sentence to show this.

Translation: "What are you doing? I am going to the park."
Japanese: "Omae-wa nani-wo sh-ite-iru? Ore-wa koen-e iku-n-da."
Japanese in detail: "Omae(you-informal-male)-wa(subject marker-"as for") nani(what)-wo(direct object marker) sh-ite(-te form of "to do")-iru(to be-animate). Ore(I, me-informal-male)-wa(subject marker-"as for") koen(park)-e(to, towards) iku(to go)-n(reason marker)-da(noun/na-adjective copula-informal).

 

Learning a language is a productive and useful art that sometimes is viewed as difficult. You must learn not only the words but how to chain them together to accuaratly make a sentence. I am learning Spanish for instance and I have a few examples.

English: If it's cold in winter I like to read a book.
Now in Spanish Si can mean two things: Yes, or if. With the accent it is....uh....either one. I don't remember. Now in this case I am stringing it together and making it if.
Spanish: Si es frio en invierno me gusta leer un libro.

English: Because it is cold in winter I like to read a book. Why? Beacause it is fun.
In Spanish because is porque. But why is por que. This is similar to the dilemea of there, their and they're in English. Each mean a different thing. Now we may think that English is an easy language but it is the hardest language to learn. There are so many exceptions to rules that make the language challenging. Every language has this though.
Spanish: Porque es frio en invierno me gusta leer un libro. (Upsidedown question mark)Por que? Porque es divertido.

See some of the examples have different meanings? It makes learning a language a challenging skill unless you were brought up with that one. I find learning Spanish a good skill not only because of the rising Spanish speaking areas but because it will sharpen your IQ. It helps you start to think more about how you think your own language is so easy but then you know it is not as you are taught a new one.

 

that...confused me

I'm learning Japanese... I mean it's not easy to remember everything, but sometimes I know a few things of what they're saying

 

You completely lost me.

I agree with this too. I'm currently learning a language (technically the dead language but still) I understand it and can comprehend what the teacher is saying. I'm not for sure what you mean by truly understanding a language but I don't think you can learn that. But this is just my opinion

 

Really, we do the same thing with our native language. We associate words with feelings, objects, etc.
So the translating is just an extra step.
I speak French fluently, but the words in French mean the same thing as they do in English. (Except, of course, those exceptions that cannot be translated...)

Truly understanding a language involves more than merely speaking it, you have to add intonation, accents, and use appropriate expressions.
Writing, and having an understanding of historical+cultural knowledge are also involved in it.