Postby PeterMollenburg » Mon Nov 12, 2018 8:33 am
I just want to make it clear that my posts are not about insulting people. Whether you feel disrespected or insulted, that is not my aim, nor has it ever been (aside from, admittedly, the odd post in anger). I do respect others. I have often made posts to encourage people to self reflect, but it's clear many people do not want to read what I have to say, and often for very good reason.
It's perhaps arrogant of me to think I can or even should attempt to exert change when people are perfectly happy with their own belief systems and ideologies, but what's wrong with a little food for thought (that grows too big!)? While I feel I have been honest/true to what I feel is necessary to be conveyed to others, others equally feel strong conviction for their set of beliefs, so it's likely that many people do not feel comfortable with what I have to say at times, and that makes sense. To be fair to myself however, I guess I've been asking more for self reflection than anything, but the way that I convey it is probably more like it's a solid set of beliefs that one must understand.
I could get annoyed by others trying to convince me of something I simply to do not believe. People come here for language learning and their ideologies political or otherwise are often at odds with mine, thus, as I believe Ani has brought to the forefront of this recent direction of my log, I'm likely choosing the wrong things to discuss in the wrong place. Sure some people appreciate it, even would prefer me to discuss more of the same, yet there exists a good number who, perhaps fairly, do not want to read such things here. But, should I be modifying my behaviour (writing) to appease others? This is what I'm ultimately unsure about. Still, as time marches on, the belief that I should not discuss such topics is likely to grow louder, but that doesn't necessarily make it correct.
In everyday life we curb our enthusiasm, I think. Perhaps I was confusing censorship with, as Ani mentioned, being appropriate for the setting. If you're a devout religious person, you love to share this love with other fellow believers, but you wouldn't normally preach to others who don't want preaching to. if you're a gamer, you love talking about gaming with your gaming friends and generally keep the excitement to your gaming circle. If you're a mad (fill in the blank) you share with other mad (fill in the blank) and tend not to annoy others who aren't interested in such things. Here, we're all about languages, not belief systems, not religion, not corruption, not conspiracies. Ani you were right.... for you. Others do appreciate it. But some definitely do not. Writing online is different too, it's not direct engagement. If you don't like something you really should just avoid it, as opposed to attempting to make the author write how you want him/her to write. So what do I do? Well, one constraint is forum rules. Provided I'm within the rules then technically, I should be able to discuss such topics, but as I said, as time marches on and time waits for no man, and is indeed marching on, the tolerance here and elsewhere is reducing, it seems.
I don't feel I need to take back anything I've said recently, however. Although i did completely remove one post. I should've posted it separately to my reply, that would've been more tactful. Still, there have been some interesting discussions, some more tumultuous than others, and at times I've had some great support for my sharing on my convictions. But this is the place for language learners and enthusiasts, is it not? I guess I've not really drawn a conclusive answer or decision, but it's not necessary for this log, as this log has reached it's end.
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With regards to language learning, this log was mainly about my journey in reaching an advanced level of French. Perhaps if I return to focusing on the DALF C1 or C2 exam, then that might warrant reigniting this log, otherwise I think this log has reached it's end. I am not bowing out emotionally, nor in reaction to anything in particular. I just think this has actually reached it's conclusion (at least for now), and its equally fitting, given I can't decide on what's right for the content of my log.
I may or may not write a new log here, time will tell, but I suspect I will.
Thank you all for tagging along for the ride. This log began on HTLAL on the 2nd of Jan 2014 (link on first page of this log if interested) and continued here. It's become massive, as any log would with a person that raises touchy topics, needs a lot of feedback on language learning techniques and loves to write (too much) about himself. Thank you all for your support and for challenging me along the way. I don't feel like I've accomplished my goal as I am not holding a C1 nor a C2 DALF certificate in my hands, but it's not been a failure either, so I'm okay with where I am with my French. No, I don't have the certificate (yet), but I am doing pretty bloody well with the language. Even, if I am not C1, I feel very comfortable now with French, but I will and shall continue to learn the language perhaps for the rest of my life, as there is so much to learn.
I am using French every single day in my life. I am reading, watching, studying, speaking (tons) with my daughter. I'm so impressed with my children and their French! With my daughter there were some tough times, but now she changes effortlessly and fluidly between English solely for those who speak English and French solely with me. She loves French programs on TV just as much as English (if not more), she sings in French, speaks to her brother in French, plays in French (and English too - about 50/50). My son I think has more French words at his disposal than English and hums French songs. Very cute. They both love Kirikou! And they love French story time with their dad.
Dutch is coming into the picture, and I think I love it equally but in a different way to French. I cannot believe 2011 is so long ago now when my wife and I were in the Netherlands. Learning Dutch brings back memories. I have been reading Dutch stories to the kids but I am considering teaching it properly to the children from 2019. That is, a target of speaking in Dutch to them 50% of the time, but we'll see.
As for Arabic, I've no idea what the future holds for me with this language. It may play a big role in my life, it may be small. It's a language I will attempt to get to know because we will be in Saudi Arabia, not because I've always wanted to learn it, nor can I say I've recently become enamored with it, as I haven't it. But to be fair, I still don't know a word yet. That says something - First, I'm busy trying to get ready for the move! Secondly, if I really loved the idea of learning it, i'd probably already know some words. Still, I once hated French (literally), and when I first heard a good deal of Dutch, my ears did not like it! Yet I love them both today!
Norwegian is tugging at me, Spanish is alluring (and very useful/widespread), German is my old friend I lost touch with in high school, and as my hair becomes greyer (yikes), German now feels soooo long ago.
Best of luck people with your language learning!
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