I much prefer learning vocabulary within context sentences, rather than in a vacuum. However, early on this works much smoother in a language like French (from EN/PL base). Even if you don't fully understand, you get the gist.
If I was to learn say Japanese or Turkish in sentences, likely every single word would be unintelligible at first, and so the context wouldn't be much help. Possibly, the grammar would also be less intuitive.Example:
Ce livre de cuisine est fantastique.
This cookbook is fantastic.
What's the best way to overcome this issue in practice?Example:
Bu yemek kitabı harika.
This cookbook is fantastic.
Given that I hate learning new words/concepts dry, my only hunch so for is to learn:
- A very limited number of highly versatile words without context → common words that could serve as subjects, objects, and verbs. Verbs like: be, have, need, want, eat, do. Nouns: brother, friend, mother, man, apple, book, computer, smartphone, notebook
- Learn the most essential grammar – personal pronouns, genitive case, prepositions, making a question, etc.
Up this point, I'm aware all of this sounds very "DUHHHH" – just about every language textbook/course starts with these. My question is, how far can we take this? What is the absolute bare minimum one needs to start creating sentences that work as useful context for learning new vocabulary.
The smaller the foundation, the faster one can get away from learning words/concepts in a vacuum (or within unintelligible sentences, which imo isn't much better).Largely incomprehensible text including genitive
講演録に「私の個人主義」がある。漱石の私邸に門下生が集まった会は木曜会と呼ばれた。
Introducing genitive within confines of 100% understandable base [first knowing that: man = 男; apple リンゴ; is = です]
男のリンゴです
My main concern, however, is that this limited base would create a lot of repetitive sentences. Would this repetitive context lower recall/understanding of new words? I need a computer, I need an apple, I need a phone, I need a pen, I need a car, I need a bicycle, and so on.