How Languages Shape Our Understanding of History

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When I learn a language, I also learn the history of the country. I am transported to that area. I gain a new outlook on the world. It’s a process I always enjoy and am in no hurry to end. In fact, in language learning, the process is the reward.
0:00 I learn languages to better understand cultures and histories.
0:55 The language and history I am currently exploring.
3:25 Learning about the history of Iran and the Middle East through studying Persian.
5:58 Maybe one day I will study Latin.
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#languagelearning #languages #polyglot

[@Thelinguist]

The app I use to learn languages -> bit.ly/3ZZEr4F My 10 FREE secrets to language learning -> www.thelinguist.com What is your biggest source of enjoyment in language learning?

[@thenaturalyogi5934]

Being able to read literature and learn the history! One of the biggest motivation for me in actually enjoying Mandarin while is school was because we learned Chinese history through Mandarin or learn Mandarin through History haha. Portuguese was because of Paulo Coelho and Russian because of Dostoyevsky!

[@yko1419]

Enjoyed the video. Thanks. Can you do a dialogue with this polyglot? He speaks Catalan, Spanish, English, Arabic and French. The way he describes the process of language learning is also very interesting. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2etdIWVfcyHp5o

[@krzychood]

I come from Poland, live in Switzerland and my best friend here is English. When I compare those three versions of history, it's like they happened in parallel universes. It's really amazing how huge the differences in focus and interpretation are.

[@PolyglotSecrets]

You are so right, Steve. Perspective is everything. We all have our different "versions" of history based on which country we were born in and what language we speak. Tapping into different versions of events thanks to languages is so precious.

[@laughingpolyglot]

That is a good idea. Knowing the history of a country can really help you avoid offending someone with the wrong question. I learned the hard way.

[@davirochaaulasonline8224]

when we learn languages we become more emphatic to other cultures. It is amazing how every culture and language has a lot to teach us! Thank you!

[@user-jc7jw6tx1d]

Hello，Steve.I am learning English as a Chinese native speaker.I was struggling with learning English.But now I really get a lot of confidence by watching your youtube videos and using Linq to learn English.Appreciate for you

[@JasperSynth]

I'm interested in reading the history of the airplane from a Brazilian perspective. Many Brazilians will argue that Alberto Santos-Dumont invented the airplane, rather than the Wright brothers. Also, reading an ancient language is like walking into the back of a wardrobe. Suddenly, you are in a different universe.

[@amandanelson9697]

I love your style! I've had an insatiable interest in documentaries on civilizations of the world, from antiquity until today. I couldn't have articulated my interest anywhere near as brilliantly as you just did. Thus, the natural progression to language learning in order to have access to varied "versions" of history. Thank you for posting your informative, insightful videos- what a wealth of knowledge to draw from!

[@senorbaobab7700]

Part of my interest of learning languages, it's because I wanna have contact with the history, culture and traditions of people all around the world. If it's possible in their own lenguaje. Thank you Steve! Greetings from Argentina!

[@MahmoudMohamed-ye9pk]

I was accepted in a job in which I'm gonna deal with customers from the United Kingdom, your words inspired me to learn more about the history of the UK, thank you Mr. Kaufmann

[@garyhuizilopoxtli9701]

I want to read nonfiction histories and biographies in French and German. My current method is to spend an hour reading French on one day, German the next day, and continue alternating. I'm reading mostly online news articles on a variety of topics in order to broaden my grasp of vocabulary. I hope eventually to be able to read books in French and German, and Spanish as well. Thank you for the videos, they inspire me to never surrender.

[@writtenwordsschoolofenglish]

I couldn't agree more! Languages and reading are invaluable keys to understanding and empathy.

[@fimashavin]

Of course learning a new language from other country helps me to figure out their culture even when I travel in or talk to the person from a country's language gives me a fascinating learning.

[@TheRedleg69]

Definitely one of the reasons I'm learning a couple different languages. I'd like to be able to learn history through a non English source

[@jameswoods1086]

I really love to hear your perspective on history Steve. You have talked briefly about using history as a source for reading and audio materials for the languages you learn and I always wonder what an amazing perspective on global historical events you must have. It’s great to hear you share on this topic even though it’s not your primary purpose for the channel.

[@Nihilnovus]

Not only does it affect our view of history but it also shapes how we think. In Latin there is no word for electricity but there is a word for lightning and in Italian there is no word for private or privacy. When you witness a new concept, thinking in the abstract when a word doesn’t sum up an event or something in front of you is one of the most interesting and perplexing part of language…in my opinion at least

[@Ballykeith]

Why do you say there are no words for private and privacy in Italian?

[@Nihilnovus]

The Italian word for privacy is a loan word from English. Most likely due to the prevalence of Facism in Italy the concept of privacy did not exist so for a time there was no word for privacy in Italian.

[@Thelinguist]

words in different languages don't have to match exactly. Vita privata, intimità sort of work and the same is true of other Romance languages it seems to me.

[@belstar1128]

Leaning languages is essential for people interested in history .even small languages like Norwegian have a lot to offer.

[@putinisakiller8093]

Norwegians "invented" the English language. :)

[@belstar1128]

@@putinisakiller8093 no

[@putinisakiller8093]

@@belstar1128 Really? ;)

[@101Cecilia]

Thanks Steve!

[@xavierpaquin]

Languages and History, the bedrock of the humanities

[@olgachernysheva3079]

Thank you, Steve. It's interesting.

[@lipop4054]

thanks for shareing

[@miloamma6070]

Thank you

[@karineckhard1]

Great video Steve!

[@johnczech7074]

Very interesting perspective!!

[@user-gt9pc3tp3i]

Your videos always give me guide and motivation for language learning ! What you say in this video, for me, resonates with what a famous historian, E.H.Carr wrote in “What is history”.

[@apaul9776]

Excellent talk. The theme doesn't actually hinge on language learning, fortunately. As you say from many of your examples, it is possible to gain a different perspective on the world by reading the right books, even when they are in English. Being able to read them in the relevant language must be wonderful. It does provide me with a further incentive with my modest language learning. Thanks for this thoughtful, concise mini-lecture.

[@francocorona6092]

Steve, tienes que contarnos en qué momentos del día lees. cómo haces para leer tanto? yo trabajo 8 o 9hs al día y cuando termino de trabajar no tengo ganas de leer. Tengo ganas de sentarme a mirar tele jaja En tu época de más jóven supongo que trabajabas y aún así te hacías el tiempo de leer, y disfrutabas ese tiempo de lectura. Sería interesante conocer tu experiencia! Saludos desde argentina!

[@Thelinguist]

Gracias. Ese es un tema interesante para uno o dos videos. El aprendizaje de idiomas en diferentes momentos de mi vida.

[@JM_12_]

Thanks for the video! I would like to hear you speak about the languages people has created, like Esperanto or Interlingua and what is your personal opinion about that.

[@gaffartarraf2260]

Oooo sir I'm learning languages for the same reason I hope one day I'll be a polyglot just like you 🌹

[@valentinaegorova-vg7tb]

Amazing! Now I am going to read some history books about Turkiye in Turkish

[@zweifel8]

I was in Mombasa and I saw Chinese pottery in the museum. Center of the world indeed!!

[@mtmtmtmt]

That's it. TY.

[@StillAliveAndKicking_]

Yes it does. It’s odd how facts often don’t cross the language barrier. According to Wikipedia, criminal profiling was essentially developed in America. I was listening to a podcast in French which described how a French man in the mid nineteenth century predicted the characteristics of a killer, which led to the offender being caught. He knew the approximate age, and area of residence of the offender. Whilst I don’t have your linguistic ability, I can still enjoy listening to the French perspective on the world.

[@springtime4722]

Me same reasons !

[@ariellebeamer2956]

Ok so before I get into story learning what “basics” of a language should I know? I’m self studying Tagalog as my second language and I’m able to read and write a decent amount because of LingQ, but I want to know what “basics” I’m missing and what should I do to get to a “basic” level in the language. I know you say to just keep reading, but I’m struggling to progress.

[@thenaturalyogi5934]

If they can't learn world history then teach them another language! I was shocked when those videos came out showing how little people from the USA know about countries and continents outside of the North American continent and the USA. I thought everyone was taught world history around the world. It's hilarious, that girl who thought Egypt was an ancient city and not a current country. Then that man who thought that one could walk from Australia all the way to the US. 😅😂

[@prince223681]

I speak over 15 languages and my knowledge of history is very low. I think it may be because u pay more attention to history than I

[@yoshi9204]

Hello, I'm studying to become a French and Spanish teacher but it's not something I want to do forever. There's something else I want to do at a later time. However, I have daily anxiety about eventually forgetting the language. It makes me feel like I wasted time and my parent's money on my college tuition. I genuinely want to learn these languages, but I'm afraid I'll forget them if I have a career change. Do you have any advice for that? Thank you, sorry it's not related to the video. I just saw that this was your most recent one.

[@nikkimetztli9629]

hey Steve, which book are you reading about Danish history? I'm learning the language too and am interested!

[@Thelinguist]

www.bol.com/nl/nl/p/danmarks-historie/9200000114800270/

[@earnestlanguage4242]

If you've already learned Romanian or other romance languages, Latin would be a piece of cake! I'm reading Gilgamesh (in English), learning Chinese, dabbling in Korean, and enjoy comparing all of that to Latin. The new perspectives really are the most fun. Have you read Rejected Princesses or Tough Mothers? (In English, summaries of interesting women from everywhere & throughout history.)

[@Thelinguist]

I'll check it out!

[@AyanAli-vm9hl]

love u sir so so much, I follow your all suggestions❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@LanguageswithErman]

👍

[@Rudjel51]

Dead on 🎯

[@imacatbutthatsok2289]

My goal in english is to be able about creepy stuff

[@amarmo3569]

1st to comment 🎉

[@miniemaria3970]

Solo habla en inglés y quién sabe lo que dice

[@aquamarina7944]

Este video tiene subtítulos en español, así sabrás lo que dice.

[@miniemaria3970]

Habla y habla y no explica ni enseña nada