WORK SMARTER NOT HARDER (3)

While it is true that learning a new language takes time and a real sense of commitment, the whole process can be made easier when you work smarter not harder - thinking about the language learning strategies you are using.

In this post we want to look at a memory tool that can help you learn more in less time - a mnemonic. Mnemonics are memory aids that involve using a rhyme or phrase to jog your memory. Let’s look at an example:

Problem: You are trying to remember which French verbs use  être in the past tense (passé compose) rather than avoir.

Solution: “Dr & Mrs P Vandertramp”. In this case each letter of the phrase represents the first letter of a verb that uses être:

Devenir

Revenir

Monter

Rester

Sortir

Passer

Venir

Aller

Naître

Descendre

Entrer

Rentrer

Tomber

Retourner

Arriver

Mourir

Partir

Mnemonics can be used in a variety of ways - why not leave a comment explaining what your favourite memory trick is!

Translators Needed for World Trade

Once more we read that small and medium sized businesses are losing because too few of them are exporting overseas. Failing to plan an export strategy, lack of confidence and - surprise - poor language skills are among the reasons why some SME's shirk back, according to a report in the Financial Times.

How long will the UK moan about poor language skills without actually taking positive steps to solve the problem? English may be known as the language of international trade, but it is foolish ignorance to think that "everyone speaks English".

The economy needs to look outwards and more businesses must look overseas to succeed. That means employing more linguists in the long run, and using qualified translators and interpreters in the meantime.

Pragmatic Failure - The Test for Language Learners

In the globalised world where English is regarded as a lingua franca (at least by most native English speakers), it can be easy to spot the native from the non-native speaker. Sometimes the accent is the give-away because it is often the hardest thing to achieve - as most of us who have learnt another language will appreciate.

However, even the most accomplished language learner will experience what is known as pragmatic failure and that’s a serious fault because it can have dramatic consequences.

Pragmatic failure takes place “whenever two speakers fail to understand each other’s intentions” (Blum- Kulka and Olhstain, 1986). Thomas (1983) described it as “...the inability to understand ´what is meant by what is said´”. It does not spring from a lack of knowledge about how to handle the ‘technical aspects’ of language such as grammar, syntax of phonology but from failing to understand how language may be used in a social or societal context.

In other words, we might see an error in grammatical structure, word order or pronunciation as part-and-parcel of the language learning process, and let the error pass because “we know what you mean”. With pragmatic failure what is said may be grammatically correct but come across as harsh, rude or inappropriate - not because that is the intention - but because the learner is unaware of how a native speaker uses the language.

Examples of pragmatic failure would be asking someone about a taboo subject or failing to understand the meaning of a colloquial metaphor. In some cultures it is inappropriate to ask someone how much money they earn, so raising this topic may be perceived as vulgar in some cultures while completely acceptable in others.

For the language learner, it is essential to have more than a purely linguistic knowledge of the languages you speak - a deep cultural knowledge of the countries where those languages are spoken is important, which is why it's good to spend time visiting the countries themselves. Thomas (1983) proposed that “linguistic competence” must be composed of both “grammatical competence” (i.e. knowing the syntax, phonology and semantics of the language) and “pragmatic competence” (knowing how and when to use language correctly.)

This “linguistic competence” equips the learner to convey the correct meaning and sense of the language so as to avoid giving the wrong impression. So pay attention to the way language is used, put things into context, watch native speakers and observe how they use language. Become culturally aware and this will help you to avoid pragmatic failure. 

References:

Blum- Kulka, S and Olshtain , E. (1986): “Too Many Words: Length of Utterance and Pragmatic Failure”, SSLA 8: 165-180.

Thomas, J. (1983). Cross-cultural Pragmatic Failure, Applied Linguistics, 4(2), 91-112