To tackle the language barrier in Portugal, I knew I was in for a whammy. My mouth doesn’t seem to make the right shapes in order to make the right words. The sound vowels are the opposite of what I know – a is pronounced “ah”, e is “eh”, i is “ee”. I can’t get the rolled r’s and all those nasal sounds. I feel like a two year old. Yikes. Knowing another language, especially a romantic one, would help me so much now. (Lesson to my younger self: WHY did you not take French seriously in high school?!) Maybe it’s a sign of getting older, or maybe my brain is grasping to find new hooks to learn, but not too much seems to be sticking. I don’t want to be hard on myself though, and know it will take years to learn Portuguese.
We learn how we learn, and I think I might have more success being immersed for a year, but that is never going to happen. So it’s pencils, books and classroom learning for now. And limited conversations. And listening – naturally – but my brian fogs over sooner than later as I struggle to understand. It doesn’t show but I have taken several classes (online, in person, a 3 week intensive), but now I’m grateful to be enrolled in a government sanctioned school – 150 hours – so I can get my A1/A2 certificate. It’s a big deal for me to pass this course because having it means I would have the language requirements to apply for a Portuguese passport (in a few more years), without taking the written, listening comprehension and conversational tests. Last year I completed my A1, but had to leave for work – so I’m back at A1 again. Thankfully! A blessing in disguise. Confidence is slightly growing and it’s clear I need all the help I can get.
My class (2x week, 2.5 hours per class) is like a UN convention – with students from all walks of life and from many countries – Israel, the UK, the US, Ireland, Bangladesh, India, China, France, Uganda, France, Spain… I am the only Canadian. I do my best to represent my beloved birth country when I can – by getting everyone to sample maple syrup, for example, or sharing food and ideas of what Canada is, (clichés a given).
I think the greatest takeaway for me is feeling humble and vulnerable. I’m a high achiever, and haven’t failed too much in my life – or maybe I’ve protected myself from failing by not reaching high enough – and it sucks. The antidote is to find humour, and the courage to continue in spite of. I have a new appreciation and empathy for the countless who struggle daily – with language, and basic securities. I am part of humanity’s “Collective One”. I love the challenges and gifts that learning Portuguese brings, and welcome the doors it will open when I do.
