The ability to conduct business in a language other than one’s own is worth the struggle. I bless the memory of the nun who started me along the road, the adult education teacher who took me further, the friend whose Scrabble board gave me a wide vocabulary and the Open University courses which gave me the tools and the confidence to live my life in France and to help others sans souci.*
*without a problem
I am envious Viv. My French is basic and so is my Portugese but the miracle of the brain is that when I am back amongst it, all returns. There is no doubt living in a country where the second or third language is spoken makes a huge difference. Needs must!!!!
Struggle was the key word in my post – an awful lot of dogged determination went into my language learning!
I’m not sure how I’ve been missing your stones Viv (probably haven’t been paying close enough attention) but stumbled on this one today and am so glad I did … it’s lovely, esp, the san souci ending …