Lovin' languages...

I am flabergasted. I just got a ride from a Rotarian and he was explaining the nuances between two synonymous words in French. Like most people in foreign countries, he took advantage of being w/ an anglo-phone and explained the acute nuance in English. He then gave me a example of similar phrases in Wolof. About 3 minutes later he mentioned that he’s originally from Cape Verde (the island nation off the coast of Senegal. The national language is Portugese but the local language is Creole-Portuguese). I threw in, “oh, I speak Portugese too!” He then switched the conversation in to Portuguese! That’s four distinct languages, fluently implemented within a matter of about 5 minutes!! I’m so jealous!
Yes, I can understand/speak multiple languages but my brain still has a VERY difficult time separating them all. I will fully admit that currently when I open my mouth with the intention of speaking Portuguese it comes out in French. Spanish speaking abilities hit the back burner a good couple of months ago. I’m not saying that I’ve lost it all—the speaking is just delayed-- because thanks to my i-pod I still get a daily dose of each language. Sure, it could definitely be the fact that I’ve stuffed 3 new languages in my head in the last 7 years, they’re all of the same linguistic family and I didn’t start at infancy…either way seamless transition is something I definitely aspire to and dorky as it is, I would be super interested to know how the brain acquires and digests languages.
The language abilities in W. Africa is one thing that completely amazes me. Senegal has a number of local languages depending on the geographic region and the ethnic group: Wolof, Peul, Joola, Manding, Sereer etc. However, for many reasons, urbanization being the main, almost everyone speaks Wolof. In addition, once of school age (if the family can afford school) they quickly acquire French. The facility was specifically evident when we were in the Casamance. There the local language is Joola (in French: Diolla) but there is also a large population of Pulaar (people who speak Peul). Yet when the groups mix everyone speaks Wolof and then you throw in a bunch of white tourists and its switches to French. These are not dialects mind you, they are distinct languages. How can the brain handle that?
I shouldn’t limit it to W. Africa though because even my European buddies could switch with ease. Jonathan my Swedish buddy easily slid between Swedish, English and French. Lies can switch between Flemish, French, English and a bit of Wolof…
The most obvious of deductions, for me, is that it’s an “American thing.” While our passport might get us into many places we are definitely less developed in the language department. And if one begins to suggest, “why learn other languages when everybody speaks ‘our’ language?” well – um, that deserves another blog. Until then, I better get studying!