second language

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Hey. I do well with languages (which makes me crazy to think about since I'm basically non-verbal) but definitely do not do as well with numbers - or, more specifically, maths and math-related. I'd like to think I could do better with the maths...seems only feasible with a very different teaching/facilitating style than the 'flavor-of-the-decade' style apparently trending in my surroundings. Maybe part of the overall 'issue' is that I've figured out how to learn languages basically on my own but haven't figured out how to do the same in math/calculations/etc. Ah well.

I can read and write Japanese well enough. I'm pretty good gramatically when using Hiragana or Katakana, but not so good with Kanji. I can't speak it too well (but I can't speak English well either, and it's my native language!).

my problem is not vocabulary but that my brain is just too slow to process the sounds of the words coming from other people speaking a foreign tongue. it takes me forever to comprehend what they are saying. it takes an additional forever for me to think of the proper words to say back to them. i'm just too damned slow.

My native language is Polish but I had no problems learning English. When I came to US at age of 22 I was speaking well enough to get around on my own, find a job, etc. I want to learn Spanish, I just never have the time or mental energy to do this.

if i had been stationed overseas when i was in the army, i'd have been one of those GIs to come back home never having learned a bit of the local language. my late father spent much of his career overseas and learned no new languages, and my older brother spent a year in 'nam and learned no new languages. i guess we all have "learn nothing genes" when it comes to facility with learning foreign languages.

My native language is Hungarian. I started to learn English when I was 13. I had been taught by non-native teachers who used standard ways of teaching. Originally we had to learn Russian form 5th grade on in the communist era, but I can hardly remember anything of what's been taught, except for a few words and counting. I also know a few words in Slovak and German, and I had had good use of what little I know of Slavic languages when I was to Slovenia. I'm at least 1/4 Slovak, by the way, and have German and possibly Romanian roots as well.

I'm not at all good at learning foreign languages. I've developed my English primarily to have a powerful means to connect with the world outside my country. It felt claustrophobic in a sense. Besides, I guess I'm somewhat obsessed with English by now, despite I'm still having difficulties with it.

One thing that keeps me focused on learning English is that I have combined it with some of my other obsessions: ASD and other mental disorders, ASD specific books, Wrong Planet, Oliver Twist, Start Trek DS9 and more, all in English.

I'm not convinced that Asperger's is a net detriment or benefit for learning additional languages. It seems to be overshadowed by other factors, most especially the number of languages a person is around while the person is still growing up.