#polygots

I’m a native English speaker and I’ve just finished my fifth year with Spanish. I love the language and it comes in handy regularly in my life.

But I want to start learning another language: Swahili!

The only problem is that I have no idea where to start... unlike with Spanish there aren’t many reliable (or free) learning options for Swahili that I’ve found so far. So if someone has any suggestions or knows any good sources I could begin learning from please let me know!

Speaking 5+ Languages with my Polyglot Grandma

I would have loved to be there at their place for this interview. It had me thinking. Survival will make you do what you need to do, real quick. When I lived (Very briefly. Only two years) in Italy it was an experience that I hold dear. I didn’t realize until after I had left, how much it would mean to me. Anyway, I had never been outside the United States (At the time) and never learned the language. I had taken french throughout junior high and a couple of years in high school. I know a bit of Spanish, so they both helped. But I was a bit scared. 

I decided to live in a small town of Bussolengo (Not far from Verona). There were not but a few black people and we did not live around each other. My neighbor in the building was a French older woman who had lived in Italy for over 20 years. Her two adult children lived with her. She was amazing ( I wished I had kept in contact with her). Anyway, I had purchased a purse efficient traveler's guide of words and sentences, pep talked myself with “ You got this, you’re a New Yorker” and off I went. I learned the bus and train systems of Italy and some of Germany. Through traveling back and forth from home to Verona, I had to talk to people (Goes without saying). 

The supermarket, the stores, libraries, train/bus stations, church, etc. It forced me to pick up on the language. I understood more than spoke but my travel book was always with me. My proudest moment was trying to find a particular post office in Verona and I wanted to verify the location. I asked an older man (With my book) he explained normally (Meaning he did not talk slow for the American. Lol) how I could get there. I...understood perfectly...WAIT I UNDERSTOOD!?! HOLY...SHIT!!! I was giddy as hell. I thanked him and when I made it there, I laughed so loud (I believe it was spring of the second year). 

My point is I never would have thought it was possible when you are in the environment..your mind will do what it needs to do.