Should we ask why?

In response to my previous comment one person had this to say.

I don't see anything wrong with someone who asks why a language works in a certain way (so long as it's not excessive or hindering learning how to use the language). Such questions about why a language has so-and-so characteristic or expresses itself in so-and-so way often lead to topics in historical linguistics. By itself, interest in etymology or historical linguistics shouldn't lead to resistance to learning or using the new language.

I replied as follows.

When I started learning Mandarin I had a fellow Canadian learning with me. Confronted with the Chinese way of asking a question "You go not go?", he looked puzzled and said, "why would they say things that way?" He did not get too far in his Chinese. I have seen this over and over. Except for dedicated linguists, the average learner is, in my opinion, better off not to ask questions like

"Which of these sentences is correct?" Usually one of them was invented by the learner.

"Should I say I will go or I am going to school tomorrow?"

In my experience, a new language is something that gradually comes into clearer and clearer focus. There is lots of uncertainty and fuzziness along the way. It is better to go for more exposure and less explanation and get used to the language. In my experience and in observing students, it seems that the attitude of accepting uncertainty and not questioning the language works best.

Comments

[Ro]

Hi Steve.

I agree totally with you on this point. In my experience, learning rules or thinking about structure simply hinders the learning process.

Everyone needs and uses "grammar", but I think it's a natural and instinctive entity. That is to say, the grammar of a language is soaked up by the mind.

Books on advanced grammar do not help me much but I admit they are interesting once one already knows the language well.

There is a very good book on language learning written by a man called Barry Farber. It is quite an inspiring, well written book and certainly got me going in my language learning.

There are many good things to say about his book. However, one thing I really disagree with in his book is his approach to grammar. He describes it as like fighting a war with a language. To him, grammar is the training before you can enlist in the full army corps. Mr Farber suggests reading at least six chapters of a grammar text before starting tackling content of any kind! It is like a form of self-punishment that will toughen you up for the "campaign" that is to come.

This gentleman has learned over 25 languages to varying degrees of fluency so I wouldn't like to rubbish his opinion, but I do disagree with it.

[Ilya]

Being more and more in accord with Steve's approach, I consider his advice to ignore grammar as a result of his vast experience. It also agrees with how I become to feel myself. However, every now and then, I meet or hear about very successful and experienced language learners (e.g. of Mr. Farber) who insist on importance of studying grammar. Interesting. How could it be interpreted?

[naturegirl]

It is very true that there are many differences in foreign languages that seem very unfamiliar at first. Especially mandarin is completely different from english. Although I think the example "you go not go?" is not so hard to understand. In english we also ask questions by using the negation, like "you go don't you?" This even repeats the subject at the end like "you go no go you?"
But there are many other examples in mandarin that cannot really be explained but are just used that way.

[Adriaan Van Doorn]

There are always going to be different opinions on what's the best approach to learning how to understand another language's idioms or train of thought while saying a sentence. The best way to learning a foreign language is to use what works best for you only. Visit my website : www.vandoornslanguagetechnique to find out how.

[Adriaan Van Doorn]

There are always going to be different opinions on what's the best approach to learning how to understand another language's idioms or train of thought while saying a sentence. The best way to learning a foreign language is to use what works best for you only. Visit my website : www.vandoornslanguagetechnique to find out how.

[Adriaan Van Doorn]

There are always going to be different opinions on what's the best approach to learning how to understand another language's idioms or train of thought while saying a sentence. The best way to learning a foreign language is to use what works best for you only. Visit my website : www.vandoornslanguagetechnique to find out how.