Learning a Language using Scripture/Prayers

[identifyasCatholic]

Would it be a good idea to use sacred scripture to translate (like the object to translate) from English to whatever language I want to learn? I want to combine my spirituality and this learning. Also, translating prayers such as ‘Hail Mary’, to the language I want to learn ? I don’t need to learn it but I do want to.

 

[Bradskii]

No. You’re making it way too hard. You need to start with the simplest of grammar and a basic vocabulary before you start thinking about translating anything.

Your aim should be to get to an intermediate level whereby you can read scripture in whatever language you are learning. I just checked a Spanish version (I’m about intermediate in it) and I can understand it. Particularly as I know what the English is.

I recommend Rocket Languages - it’ll cost you but it’s good value (I have no association with the company).

 

[TheLittleLady]

A friend of mine, who speaks several languages suggested, exactly that method to me.

 

[edward_george1]

Whenever I want to learn a new language, I buy a Bible in it, and I find the common prayers that I’ve got memorized. I try to pick up on the vocabulary by reading the new language, not by memorizing the words so much as by trying to find syllabic patterns. How do the phonetic units translate between languages? And once I’ve got a feel for that, I can make educated guesses, and about 80% of the time, be correct. Learning a language isn’t about memorizing a bunch of stuff, it’s more about honing your guessing instincts, if that makes sense.

-Fr ACEGC

 

[pensmama87]

Learning a language isn’t about memorizing a bunch of stuff, it’s more about honing your guessing instincts, if that makes sense.

Right, that’s how children learn, and why it’s actually a sign of progress when they begin making “mistakes” with grammar as they say new words - they’re showing that they know there are rules and how they work, they are just not quite applying them correctly yet.

This may be a little different since I’m teaching myself Latin, and so there’s a lot of Latin easily at my disposal, but I think your method is definitely a good start. You might want to use DuoLingo or another source in addition. Good luck!

 

[Roguish]

What you have in mind can be fun, but if your aim is to learn that other language effectively, this isn’t a good approach, for two reasons. First, the vocabulary you would have to use to come up with a somewhat accurate translation will be so completely different from how that other language is spoken in day-to-day situations, that what you learn from translating scripture will be mostly useless. Second, translating from English to a language that you’ve just started to learn is never a good idea for a beginner. To get started in a new language you need basic question-answer reflexes, and basic comprehension, to use in spoken dialogue. Scripture translation doesn’t give you that at all.

 

[identifyasCatholic]

I am using other sources, this would be one of them. It is to combine my faith and the language.