Belize is an English-speaking country, but many of the innkeepers, shopkeepers, and waiters are Chinese. I asked a shopkeeper, in Chinese, where I could find a particular item, and got quite a surprised look, but was understood, and I understood his answer.

Though later on, in another shop, when I didn’t know the Chinese name of the item I was looking for, I of course came upon the person stocking shelves who spoke only Chinese.

In the same country, I was a house guest, when two men came looking for my host, who was out. They spoke at me really fast, and I had no clue what they said. Then more slowly, “Do you speak English?”

“Yes,” I answered. “But please speak slowly.” They were English speakers, but I did not understand them with their Belizean accent.

Somehow I have a problem understanding most people speaking English, except my fellow Americans (and I even have difficulty understanding some southerners there) but I can understand any accent in Spanish except the Cubans.

Though it turns out about half the people in Punta Gorda can speak Spanish as well as English, which helped me immensely.

Later, in Guatemala, I was at the grocery store asking where to find raisins. And saying not just raisins, but describing them as little black dried-up grapes. Most Guatemalans understand me, and I them (in Spanish). But now I know that is because they are accommodating me by slowing their speech. Every once in a while, I run into someone who is like me with the Belizeans and foreigners speaking English. And then there is a failure to communicate.

One compelling theory I’ve seen for why children learn languages so absolutely quickly, is there in a completely positive environment, where every single person around them encourages them to learn, and any mistakes are seen as cute and meet with more encouraging. There is no shame in a child’s language acquisition.

Adults… Have more roadblocks :)

Glad your getting out there!

Ah, you’ve reminded me to review how to ask someone to repeat themselves. I have only spoken via text with 1 native speaker so far and it was really eye-opening how unprepared I was, haha. I still have trouble with basic sentences that you might find in a kindergarten-level book so I think I jumped in too soon.

Every interaction in your non native tongue is a positive. Period. The biggest hurdle learning a new language is dropping your self consciousness and speak. Keep it up and you’ll be comfortable in no time at all!

Though I learned Spanish over a decade ago, I barely used it since. So as I found someone who I talk to also speaks Spanish, I asked if we could interact in that language so I could train, and we have been talking mainly in Spanish since.

I also try to exchange some messages with a Norwegian I talk to in his native language, though I’m not quite there yet so non-English exhanges tend to be short. He also comments in a direct and (to my understanding) polite way when I make mistakes. =)

Both text only.