Learning a foreign language

vs

Learning translation

Akhnath D. González 8-843-590

Differences between learning a foreign language
and learning translation
A learner is exposed to the usual techniques
used for teaching the language.
In teaching a language, the text is often
created specifically for that purpose or
adapted.
In teaching a language, the instructor
mechanically corrects mistakes and makes
sure that students had acquired the basic
notions of each lesson.
Akhnath D. González 8-843-590
Differences between learning a foreign language
and learning translation

In teaching a language, translation provides

students with specific entries in the
dictionary, and the most common syntactical
structures.
For example,
We’re tired. We’ve been studying since 2
o’clock

Akhnath D. González 8-843-590

Differences between learning a foreign language
and learning translation

In teaching translation, the text has not been

invented to cope with a particular language
difficulty, it is a real text created
spontaneously by a speaker or a writer.
For example,

Is he gonna make it?

Akhnath D. González 8-843-590

Differences between scholastic translation and
professional translation

Scholastic translation aims to acquiring a

language through methods.
Professional translation is a communicative
process which involves reformulation of
message, and culture.
In a scholastic text, the main tool is a bilingual
dictionary.
The reason for the translation.

Akhnath D. González 8-843-590

Affectivity and Learning

Akhnath D. González 8-843-590

Learning in general is tied to
the affective context in which
it occurs.
A child learns his mother’s
language or the language of
the closest people.
The first words learnt are:
dins dins, mummy, milky,
dummy, pooh-poohs.

Akhnath D. González 8-843-590

There is a sub-verbal thought, which precedes
verbal language and is also much more
elaborate.
As the interest of the child evolve and are not
just limited to the introduction/expulsion of
food/feces, its ability to communicate and
think also evolves.
At this point the infant tries to reproduce the
sound to which he wants to connect to, with
his body (phonation organ).

Akhnath D. González 8-843-590

Foreign Languages

and

Linguistic Awareness

Akhnath D. González 8-843-590

The first experience of linguistic awareness is
at school, when one starts studying grammar
and one faces the learning of one or more
foreing languages.

Multilingualism and Plurilingualism.

Researchers have investigated the possibility

of psychic disorders tied to plurilingualism.

Akhnath D. González 8-843-590

The results point out:

◦ that a bilingual person will have certain depth

and understanding of different worlds and has
acquired a strong defense mechanism too.

◦ code switching is a positive and fruitful

mechanism.

◦ the plurilingual individual has a more complex

and receptive psychic structure.

Akhnath D. González 8-843-590

When a multilingual individual learns a
language at school, he is in fact living a
metalinguistic experience.

The best results are obtained where there is a

strong and positive relationship with the
teacher or with whoever one is learning the
language from, or when there is a strong tie
with the culture or the countries in which the
language is spoken.

Akhnath D. González 8-843-590

 Conclusion
Learning the mother tongue (or the mother
tongues) is an unconscious procedure and
there is no rational control.
What is learnt is tied to an affective
(emotional) relationship of significance
between the child and the person or object or
action intended by the use of that particular
word or locution.

Akhnath D. González 8-843-590

 Conclusion
Verbal language serves as a logic structure
within which thoughts, images, and non-verbal
emotions can be organized.
To take possession of a foreign language is a
deep and involving experience, and at the same
time, for those who are not born plurilingual, it
can be an opportunity to become aware of one's
own language proficiency.

Akhnath D. González 8-843-590

THANKS
SO
MUCH!

Akhnath D. González 8-843-590