Weekly Lists #215: Dream Languages

As some of you might know, I studied languages at university. In particular, I got my master’s degrees in Dutch, French and English literature and linguistics. That’s not where it ends for me, though. Oh no – I have a good few more languages I would love to be able to speak… So without any further ado, here’s 5 of my absolute dream languages!

1. Swedish

As long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be able to understand Swedish. And you know why? Because of Astrid Lindgren, that’s why.

You see, as far as I can remember I’ve loved all of her books – especially the books about Pippi Longstocking, Children of Noisy Village and Madita. And because I’m that person that wants to watch movies in the original language as well as read books in their original version… Even as an 8-year-old… Well, my obsession with learning Swedish started… And I’m finally doing it right now!

2. South Korean

Because K-pop. And K-drama’s. And also, I just want to understand all of Big Bang’s interviews – I mean, my wishes are quite simple, right?

3. Irish (Gaelic)

There’s something about this language that just speaks to me. Is it the fact that, because of the Artemis Fowl, I’m secretly still kind of convinced elves might be real in Ireland? Is it because all of Cathy Kelly’s books take place in Ireland, and she’s one of my favourite chicklit authors? Is it just the fact that I got to take an “Introduction to Irish”-class in university and the teacher was just blooming amazing? Or that I love Celtic Woman and would quite like to be able to understand all of their Gaelic songs as well? Whichever it was, I really hope to one day be able to understand this language!

4. Russian

Sometimes, the reasoning can be as easy as: the bf really wants to learn this language and I kind of want to be able to do the same.

Or, at the very least, I’d like to be able to read this language – get a maximum of alphabets I can read, as right now I can only understand the Latin and the Greek alphabet…

5. Fries

Fries is such an interesting language, because it’s something of a mixture of Dutch and German, while at the same time being its own language completely.

The song above is the one that first introduced me to this language and – it has to be said – there’s something almost eery about it. Maybe that’s what struck me so much about the language? Either way, I feel like this one should probably be doable if only because I do speak Dutch already, and I can understand some German… But still – got to get that study on!

Anyways, what dream languages, if you could choose any that you could suddenly speak, would you opt for? Are you currently studying any foreign languages? If so, what tools are you using? Do you take classes? Use Duolingo? Something else entirely? Be sure to let me know below!

-Saar