How do I manage, some ask. Granted, the several surmounts ninety-nine percent of the population in number. On the other hand, next to such hyperpolyglots as Tesla, Heinrich Schliemann or Richard Burton (among a small sample my research generated), my array at best appears humble.
What does keeping in shape entail anyhow? Only that none of the languages decays beneath the ability to deploy at a moment’s notice and gradually recover plasticity from strictly the input fed by the interaction and those rusty neuron connections, without resorting to artificial recovery mechanisms - for any interaction greater than a few-second exchange.
But also bear in mind: polyglot aspirations have occupied my top priorities for over a decade. I’ve desired it that much more than most.
Psychological prerogatives contribute extensively. One, I’ve assimilated the notion of it being not complex, but tractable and characteristic of what a human being has achieved for centuries. That, and the inherent need to excel in this area as a vain human being.
And whether inadvertently or not, I’ve made sacrifices enabling the above elements to proliferate, sacrifices inconceivable by many:
- Sufficient disassociation from even my native language traditions to encourage the development of others. It follows that whatever language I speak at great enough length doesn’t entirely project belonging nor intimacy, though the fractured Russian still triumphs over others in said regard.
- As a corollary, less engagement in the native/comfortable languages to make room for others.
- Lengthy travel without home base or easily explainable roots.
- Mostly temporal if not ephemeral connections, which otherwise conflict with language entrepreneurship, all the above and below considered.
Don’t misconstrue: I don’t conscientiously abandon or sabotage relations. On the contrary, I’ve long been ineffective at sustaining them (for factors not the least of which are the contemporary, digital means involved with all associated toxins): at least as far as I’m able to interrogate the subconscious. And thus the extra mental space enables language cultivation.
Now to directly address the inquiry, I adapt the multiple languages to and across the following modus operandi:
Read literature particularly in the language of sufficient strength but in most need of active sustenance.
For the last year and a half I’ve voraciously read fairly advanced French; at one point even Italian, though an anomaly. For a brief span returned to reading a bit of Polish. Beyond that, Russian and English readings cut my brain some slack.
Now reading out loud, however beneficial to the pursuit, I’ve not the energy beyond short bursts. But of huge benefit, especially for those of us lacking active conversation practice is to pronounce words internally or at least whisper, this all the more energy economizing.
That means no speed reading, but slow and pensive across each semantic unit, a reading philosophy entirely counter to plain consumption of information, a philosophy I apply to any quality literature and language.
Listen to specialized topics or Ted talks in some less developed language or languages. Whether YouTube or plain audio podcasts is mostly irrelevant. Paramount is a) genuine interest in the topic and b) an acceptable and likable character. One of these points violated and I quickly scrap the content.
Important to weed out catered or sterile deliveries - often the case with those TedX presentations. Try to approximate natural, fairly well paced, flawed speech. As a bonus, repeat what you hear.
Time demanding? Not if you don’t squander it listening in your native language and watching hours-long TV shows. Leverage any available time intervals whenever possible, though I encourage fifteen minutes per session at the very minimum.
A decade back I accompanied my walking commutes with lengthy Spanish and Polish language podcasts. That makes for substantial listening practice for the inclined. But for years now I prefer to walk unencumbered.
Thus replace your native/comfortable language(s) with some less developed secondary where possible. That concerns the device language settings, online accounts or even film viewing, should you indulge. Personally, I find films too cost-time suboptimal next to the above.
Harness every conversation opportunity in any secondary language: chance encounters, conversation clubs, online portals .. Rid yourself of awkwardness and talk in this or other language with those capable friends of yours, native and non-native speakers alike.
Journal in some secondary language particularly if writing is not a prevalent or professional activity of yours, where same-language journaling might otherwise reinforce publishable work.
Travel for catered language exposure.
Last but not least, actively develop the weakest and probably your most recent language: natural content supplemented by the drier academic matter just long enough to fill the cognitive void, before further progress becomes semi-autonomous. This is where a lot of writing also goes a long way.
Obviously, not all methods deliver with equal efficacy. But consistent, short listening sessions, lots of reading supplemented by occasional writing and however little conversational engagement target the major muscle groups across my various languages.
Questions, comments? Connect.