Learning different languages

Question

Is it possible to get a accent while learning five different languages ?

Welcome to SpanishDict. That is a really broad question. - rac1, Jun 20, 2016

Answer 1

Exojade, I am doing exactly this, but it takes a heck of lot of practice! I am continuing to learn Spanish and French which I began at school and have also been learning Italian, Brazilian Portuguese and Swedish.

I have received native teaching with all these languages at some point tin time. I try to use native teachers where possible to make sure that I can learn how to accurately pronounce the languages. and develop an authentic accent but living in the countries where they speak the languages you are learning, or at least travelling to these countries for a holiday is essential!

I receive Spanish classes with a native who lives in Spain once a week using Skype. I have French lessons once a month and the other languages as and when I can afford them. I also use Duolingo and other webstes in between to help me and practice what I already know whenever I meet a native whose language I speak.

As Daniela rightly says, it is probably not recommended /a good idea, to learn so many different languages at once. I personally find that I seldom (rarely) get mixed up ...but many people would get in a muddle!

If you have a musical ear like I do (I am a musician and I play the piano by ear) this certainly helps with learning foreign languages....but even with ability it requieres perseverence and a great amount of effort!

I hope this helps

How cool is that! I too am a musician and play piano and guitar by ear ( preferred) but will read music if I have to. :) - Daniela2041, Jun 20, 2016

I struggle to read music, Daniela. I can sight read a little of the treble clef,but rea - FELIZ77, Jun 20, 2016

but I find playing by ear much easier and more relaxing I have played this way since being a child. (6 years old) - FELIZ77, Jun 20, 2016

It is great that you can do that, too :) - FELIZ77, Jun 20, 2016

Answer 2

It's not good to learn five languages all at once. As a foreign language teacher, I recommend doing a year in your first foreign language, then the following year, you can add another one, while you still are learning the first one. Then you can keep on adding them. Even then it's easy to mix them up. I sometimes mix my Spanish grammar while speaking French which can cause a lot of laughter among my French friends.

As far as accent goes, that depends on your ability to imitate what you hear. For example, I know only a few words or expressions in Russian and Japanese, but people tell me that my pronunciation is perfect.

Some people never get it even close to perfect. I believe it's a genetic thing like being able to sing natural harmony. You either have it or you don"t.

However, it's no "biggie" if you have a "Gringo" accent while speaking Spanish. It's sort of expected. (At least if you're from the U.S. )