Speaking a language that you are learning can be intimidating, especially if you have limited vocabulary in that language.
Before studying Greek, I spent some time learning Spanish. At the time, I decided that I’d only speak Spanish with the Spanish teacher at the school where I worked.
One day, I wanted to tell her something but I didn’t have the vocabulary for it, so I told her in Spanish that I didn’t know the words that I needed. What she said next entirely changed my outlook on how to speak in a new language. I continue to rely on that advice for speaking Greek.
Here’s the best language speaking advice I ever got:
It is your job as a language learner to use the words that you have, to say the things you want to say.
She didn’t say “learn more vocabulary” or “let’s just speak English” or “don’t bother.” She said “use the words that you have”.
From that point on, the way I approached speaking changed. Instead of feeling frustrated by a lack of vocabulary, I try to think of other ways to communicate my thoughts. If I want to talk about an object but don’t know the word for it, maybe I can figure out how to describe it. What’s the color, size, location or use of the object? With objects it can also be easy to employ visual clues or drawings. One time, when the pencil sharpener fell off my classroom wall, I wanted to write a note in Spanish to the school custodian asking for help to fix it. In that case, I simply brought the pencil sharpener with me to the Spanish teacher’s room and asked (in Spanish) “what do you call this?”
It is also possible to “use the words you have” if you want to talk about an action. If you don’t know the word “run” in your target language, you could try talking about very, very fast walking. Frequently, your listener will help you by supplying the word you need.
Of course, this strategy won’t work every time. But if you keep your expectations realistic and are speaking with a helpful listener, give it a try. I mean, you probably can’t expect to use this strategy to discuss philosophical concepts as a beginner, but otherwise, it is amazing advice!
Use the words you have!
Have you gotten great language learning advice?
Modern Greek Learning Journey 
2 responses to “The Best Speaking Advice”
That is good advice. It’s amazing how much can be communicated even with a limited vocabulary. At the end of many live tutoring sessions on Rosetta Stone, I’ve thought about how much information I learned in the conversation, with a limited vocabulary. For example, I learned the teacher’s favorite TV show, movie, where they grew up…I was also able to communicate a funny thing that my mother in law said (she’s Greek)…These are just a few examples.
My advice for learning to speak, which I know I’ve read in several language learning books, and I’ve applied, is to talk to everyone you can. I never miss an opportunity to speak Greek at a Greek restaurant or at a local Greek festival. There happens to be the only Greek distillery in the US right here in my own hometown. I speak Greek with the owner every time I see him.
The best example is from several years ago when I was on the island of Lesvos. I was on the beach with my wife and I walked out into the water and was near a group of about six older ladies who were speaking Greek. I could hear them trying to figure out where I was from “Is he Australian, is he American…). So I said Γειά σας! Είμαι Έλληνας. We then proceeded to converse for about a half hour talking about where I was really from, establishing family lines and relatives on Lesvos and other topics. They knew many of my wife’s relatives, since it’s a small village, Kalloni Lesvos. It also amused my wife that I was out in the water, gossiping with the old ladies in Greek. I was just one of the Γιαγιάδες.
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Great advice. I try to do this with Greek as well as German, but it works better in German, where my vocabulary is stronger.
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