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bryak · Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2006 4:34 am Post subject: awkwardness

This is a question for all the people out there who are currently learning or who have in the past learned a second language, be it Russian, English, or something else entirely.
When you first starting speaking to native speakers of the language you were learning, did you feel incredibly awkward Embarassed

and embarrassed Embarassed

to say anything for fear of wrong pronunciation, words, so on?

I recently started working with a Russian woman and I have a crippling phobia about speaking to her in Russian, even tho she has asked me several times and I know she would be nothing but supportive of the million mistakes I would inevitably make.
Anyways, has anyone gone through a similar circumstance? Any hints on how to overcome my shyness?

Silenced

Bzik · Just Starting Joined: 01 Apr 2006 Posts: 3

yes i feel embarassed couse i just learning english. more embarrassed when i'm writing in english Smile

ssorry for terrible spelling

Paul-Holmes · Lounge Wizard Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 1073

Bad translation is the worst. I wanted to play Rugby in Moscow. I posted a message on the Russian Rugby board" I wanted to play hooker (Rugby Position) for a game in moscow" It can out in Russian" I want to be prostitute in Moscow"

Fire_Goddess · Guest

nikir · Just Starting Joined: 17 Mar 2010 Posts: 2

Bryak learning anything is pretty much the same, you have to learn to crawl before you walk or run. Dont get so uptight and just practise at every opportunity. You will gain confidence as you go along.

Scytale · Just Starting Joined: 15 Apr 2006 Posts: 2

After reading your post, I was surprised to see you were Canadian. I thought it was only us British who had an innate fear of speaking aloud in a foreign language. Ah, the embarassment of getting it wrong.

I only found out I speak passable German, when, on my honeymoon in Bavaria, I got too drunk to care what anybody thought of my schoolboy language skills.

I just wish I could remember what I wrote in the guest book!!!

SPQR · Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2006 4:47 am Post subject:

Nobody here is alone in embarassing language difficulties. Last time I was in Moscow (a few months ago) I very nearly ordered an entire cheesecake instead of only one piece... Embarassed

And I've probably got other things wrong that I don't know about.
Then there was the time I was trying to pick up a few words of Farsi/Persian. I thought the word "kah-jeh" meant something like a shopkeeper...turns out it actually means a eunuch <sigh> Shocked

(My Iranian friend thought that was the funniest damn thing she'd ever heard.)

Mind you, it cuts both ways. I had an Italian friend (female) who spoke English quite well, but still had a few problems with the vowel sounds. We were in a pub once and she meant to ask for a Coke, but got the "o" sound wrong so that she asked the guy behind the bar for a Cock. Laughing

But I'd certainly agree with Nikir when he/she says that the best approach is to practice as much as you can...

charles · Lounge Lizard Joined: 11 Mar 2006 Posts: 180 Location: USA

Is it wrong to laugh when someone asks for a Cock instead of a Coke? Of course not! That's damn funny!! True, it's very embarassing if you're the person making the mistake, but if you can laugh at yourself along with everyone else, then making mistakes is no big deal. When we laugh at ourselves, it tears down so many barriers.

SPQR · Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2006 10:11 am Post subject:

Eta pravilna: laughing at oneself is a skill each and every one of us should learn.
I had to bite my tongue to keep from laughing at the Coke/Cock mix-up. But luckily people have been very patient with my language mix-ups too, for which I'm extremely grateful. Embarassed

This sort of thing can even happen in different dialects of English. One good example is when the word "root" is used as a verb. In the US (and possibly Canada too) the verb can mean "cheer", but in Australia it's used as slang for sexual activity.
The first time I ever heard an American ask me if I wanted "to come and root for the team" it took all my self-control not to burst out laughing. Wink

When the Olympics were on in Sydney back in 2000, it was a source of endless mirth to Aussies that the Canadian team all wore tracksuits made by the large sportswear company "Roots". Laughing

And what was even funnier was the fact that the Roots logo is a beaver! Laughing

I honestly don't mean to offend or make fun of anyone by saying all this: it's just a few observations that I couldn't help but find funny.

nikir · Just Starting Joined: 17 Mar 2010 Posts: 2

It's all part of the great cultural diversity that makes the world go around.
Whether someone wants a coke or a cock is usually easily resolved and the wanter is pointed in the right direction. Even to the sort of coke / cock they are looking for.
Thats a bit of aussie logic. Twisted Evil

I am curious as to how Bryak is getting on overcoming his akwarness.
An update please.

bryak · Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 3:10 am Post subject:

SPQR · Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 9:01 am Post subject:

The best way to learn it is just to do it. That's what I've found, at least...just jump in with both feet.

nikir · Just Starting Joined: 17 Mar 2010 Posts: 2

there you are bryak you have a consensus, just go for it man. laugh at your mistkes before the other pricks do and you'll be fine!

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