Balancing language interests with other left-brained interestes

General discussion about learning languages
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Re: Balancing language interests with other left-brained interestes

Postby Le Baron » Mon Jan 10, 2022 7:10 pm

Iversen wrote:I don't feel that those things compete in any other way than by monopolizing my time...

Exactly. It's more about time not head-space.
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Re: Balancing language interests with other left-brained interestes

Postby golyplot » Mon Jan 10, 2022 7:43 pm

I have a major problem with language learning competing with other hobbies (including programming). But it's an issue of time, not brain space.
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Re: Balancing language interests with other left-brained interestes

Postby BeaP » Mon Jan 10, 2022 8:27 pm

I don't have another similar hobby, but I can relate to your problem. I find it very hard to learn more than one language at the same time, and like you when I've spent substantial time with studying one, I don't want to switch. It's like playing a computer game, I just don't want to stop.
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Re: Balancing language interests with other left-brained interestes

Postby Lisa » Tue Jan 11, 2022 8:00 pm

I write software as well as document it as my day job... if you separate language learning input (listening and reading) and output (writing and speaking), then I can say that input language learning does not conflict with writing software nor writing manuals (for me). Except in some cases, right now I'm figuring out an entirely new and somewhat baffling application that we have an interface to, and I can see my language input/learning slowed way down (duolingo, workbooks, and I've missed a few anki days). So if you are learning programming and in that baffled/frustrated stage I think that would indeed conflict. The technology I use is something I love and have been using for years, so writing code is more like solving a puzzle, seems to use an entirely different part of my brain. Output language learning, writing or speaking, I've had a hard time fitting in; and it could be that there's not much space for this after my day job.
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Re: Balancing language interests with other left-brained interestes

Postby IronMike » Wed Jan 12, 2022 12:38 am

Not sure if 'reading' counts as left-brained, but that's my other major hobby. That and swimming, but I don't have to think much about that.

My issue is I get interested in so many things (thus my log name using 'Scanner"). I've come to realize No, I can't write my novel AND study my languages AND lift weights AND swim miles and miles AND read 80 books a year AND take a drawing course AND do 3-4 orienteering races a year, while also having to work. I have to pick things. I have to prioritize. And I have. Thus, I haven't submitted any stories to magazines in months or done any orienteering races (yet?) or taken that drawing course.

I am lucky that I get paid for my Russian. Lucky because that means I will have to study seriously the language at least for 2-3 months every year, right before my test, or else I'll lose money. Great excuse to prioritize Russian highly. If I didn't get paid for languages then I'd be even more fickle than I am now; I'd be all over the place and would probably be with Rick on his Setswana project. ;)
Last edited by IronMike on Thu Jan 13, 2022 11:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Balancing language interests with other left-brained interestes

Postby M23 » Thu Jan 13, 2022 5:21 am

I can see the similarities. You can translate a sentence into a language that you are learning like Russian or Italian, or you can translate that sentence into Java code or Python. The ability to translate between all these things and have it make sense when it comes out the other end is an objective that is shared between language learning and computer programming.
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Re: Balancing language interests with other left-brained interestes

Postby księżycowy » Thu Jan 13, 2022 3:57 pm

This question made me realize that I tend to do much of the same as the OP. It tends to be all or nothing for my interests. Based upon recent trends, I tend to struggle to do anything beyond language study lately, and I don't get to any of my other hobbies/interests.

Part of it is that I don't have a lot of time in my schedule, but it also is that I don't do a very good job diversifying my time into more than one interest. I wonder if I can set up a bit of a schedule to indulge my other interests.
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Re: Balancing language interests with other left-brained interestes

Postby zenmonkey » Thu Jan 13, 2022 4:19 pm

Possibly this is related to how you map your activity to your identity to develop micro habits.

Your self-identity drives your activity.

"I'm a polyglot so I do polyglot kinds of things."
"I'm learning a language so... I'm studying to learn the language."
"I'm a runner so... I regularly go and run."
"I collect blue dishes ... So I plan and go to auctions and surf ebay..."

So how would you fill out the sentence: I'm a language-learner and a ____________?
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Re: Balancing language interests with other left-brained interestes

Postby jeff_lindqvist » Thu Jan 13, 2022 4:40 pm

zenmonkey wrote:Possibly this is related to how you map your activity to your identity to develop micro habits.

Your self-identity drives your activity.

"I'm a polyglot so I do polyglot kinds of things."
"I'm learning a language so... I'm studying to learn the language."
"I'm a runner so... I regularly go and run."
"I collect blue dishes ... So I plan and go to auctions and surf ebay..."

zenmonkey wrote:So how would you fill out the sentence: I'm a language-learner and a ____________?


...musician.
...martial artist.
...reader.
...gamer.

...and so on. Who the h'll has only two interests? And who the h*ll cares about which hemisphere is involved?

Wait a second.

I'm a polymath.
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Re: Balancing language interests with other left-brained interestes

Postby alaart » Thu Jan 13, 2022 5:36 pm

zenmonkey wrote:So how would you fill out the sentence: I'm a language-learner and a ____________?


Better to be a language learner than a sandwich turner.

While identification might drive you to certain activities, it also can limit you to try new things with which you don't identify with. So I like to be flexible and don't want to fill anything in.
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