Second languages... do you "keep" them even if they fall into disuse?

[Alphathree33]

I studied French for many years but I've since "lost" a good deal of it.

I don't speak French on a day-to-day basis.

That said, I'm being exposed to it a lot more lately, and I notice that as I engage that part of my brain again, things are coming back to me -- slowly.

Is learning a language something that I can keep for life -- like riding a bike -- or will I have to constantly relearn it?

As I've said, there is obviously some diminishing over time... but there also appears to be a core "skill" that is retained no matter what. Is this really true, or am I just imagining it?

 

[homercles337]

Language is unique in that it fades FAR slower than other forms of semantic memory.

 

[KarmaPolice]

If you just learn a little it will fade quick. I think if you learn it to a fluent or close to state you will never forget it.

 

[Alphathree33]

Originally posted by: KarmaPolice
If you just learn a little it will fade quick. I think if you learn it to a fluent or close to state you will never forget it.

Interesting -- thanks. I'd say I'm at 25% fluency right now. I understand the gist of what's said and I can respond in basic terms, but sometimes vocabulary or tense screws me up.

I suppose it would only take me a year or two of practice to get to "fluent" -- and then I'd have it for my whole life.

That'd be nice.

 

[mect]

Actually, I've found that if you were near fluent at one point, it usually only takes a couple of weeks speaking a lot for it to come back. You'll still blank on a word, phrase, or expression now and then, but most stuff flows pretty good. For me the problem is when I haven't spoken much, I end up trying to translate from english to the other language (in this case German) in my head whereas when I'm speaking it a lot, I don't have to think.