Do you know the feeling when everyone speaks to you slowly and conspicuously loudly, like to a small child, just because you don’t know the language? I felt treated as if I didn’t have all the cups in the cupboard! They must think I’m a bit slow-witted. Thirty years ago, I was probably one of the first tourists in Ikaria, today they try to make it easier for tourists to get started with a few words of English.

Greek is not without it! It starts with the writing. Although somehow familiar from math class, some of the letters already appear to me. And why do the Greeks keep arguing? How? Just about the weather? So loud, so impulsive! Or why do they talk about taxis all day long! “Entaxi!” (Ok) And when they answer the phone: “Ela!” (Come!) If I could come, I wouldn’t have to call. Or if I meet someone by chance: “Pou eisai?” (Where are you?) Am I not standing in front of you?

You can’t get very far without language, I quickly understood that, and always quickly regretted not being able to know at least a few words…

Language is the gateway to another culture

When I was learning Greek, I suddenly noticed how many Greekisms or Greek loanwords we unconsciously use in German. Pharmacy, for example, means storage space. Tactical, practical, pseudo, psycho, mega and so on.

So don’t despair! Just try it out. Anyone can learn Greek!

Here are my suggestions:

Summer workshops in Armenistis

Language course at the Icarian language center

Free online course from Göthe-Verlag Especially practical in winter when preparing for a holiday

With languages against Alzheimer’s

If you want to stay mentally fit for a long time, you should learn languages. Language skills can protect against dementia. Several scientific studies have shown this. It doesn’t matter how old the learners are. The only important thing is that the brain is trained regularly. Learning vocabulary activates different areas of the brain. These regions control important cognitive processes. Multilingual people are therefore more attentive. They can also concentrate better. But multilingualism has other advantages. Multilingual people can make better decisions. You come to a decision more quickly. That’s because their brains have learned to choose. It always knows at least two terms for one thing. Each of these terms represents a possible option. Multilinguals therefore constantly have to make decisions. Your brain is trained to choose from multiple things. And this training not only promotes the language center. Many areas in the brain benefit from multilingualism. Language skills also mean better cognitive control. Of course, dementia cannot be prevented through language skills. However, the disease progresses more slowly in multilingual people. And their brains seem to be better able to compensate for the consequences. The symptoms of dementia are milder in learners. Confusion and forgetfulness are less severe. Both old and young benefit equally from language acquisition. And: With every language it becomes easier to learn a new one. So instead of medication, we should use the dictionary!

Source: Goethe Verlag