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Ask HN: Anyone else understand a language but not able to speak it?

2 pointsby xtacover 14 years ago
I can understand hindi, but not for the life of me be able to speak it.<p>Little background: My parents are from india, I grew up in the US. Both my parents do speak english very well. I never grew up with any friends who spoke hindi, or had relatives my age who spoke it, so I guess because I never needed to try to speak it I never learned how to, and I find it extremely hard to speak it now(im 26)<p>Anyone else have something similar?

3 comments

misterbwongover 14 years ago
I have the same issue with Mandarin. I'm a conversational Cantonese (actually Taishan) speaker but Mandarin continues to elude me.<p>It really is 50% confidence and 50% practice. Two weeks in Taiwan did more for me than months studying it on my own. Unfortunately, I've since reverted back due to lack of practice (and subsequently confidence).
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aliukaniover 14 years ago
I'm a lot like the OP [Xtac]. I was born in Oklahoma and raised to speak English. I picked up Hindi off my parents, who are from India.<p>It's not difficult for me to speak Hindi, but it's not easy either. My limits are very basic Hindi, or phrasing answers that are very based on the question asked.
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toblenderover 14 years ago
I have the same issue with Mandarin. I believe with practice you will develop the confidence to speak it.
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