15 things you'll know if you're a language student

So I've decided to hop on the Buzzfeed-style-list bandwagon, and do my own list of things language students know...just because I am a teensy bit addicted to them at the moment, and I thought it would be fun to write. Everyone needs to have a good old laugh at themselves from time to time...


1) that awkward silence when you tell someone you study languages and they try out their one word on you...am I meant to laugh? Look impressed? Feign mock-ignorance? I just don't know

2) that nagging feeling that your degree is completely useless in your own country...

3) ...but also the elation you experience when you go abroad and realise there are other people who speak this language too; your teachers haven't been winding you up for the last 10 years, it actually exists

4) the resentment you feel for your parents for not getting their act together and bringing you up bilingual. I mean, how hard is it to just learn a second language?

5) realising how hard it is to 'just learn' a second language

6) that sense of superiority you get when people look over your shoulder and nod, and you know they have no idea whatsoever what you're writing. You could be writing about them for all they know

7) moaning about how ridiculous the language is with all your language friends when you're doing a difficult translation...

8) ...but defending it fiercely when a non-linguist tries to attack it. Who do they think they are? Of course the rule detailing when to use the subjunctive makes perfect sense...

9) WordReference is a gift which surpasses all understanding

10) treating languages like cards that you need to collect; 'I was thinking I might take up Russian ab initio next term...and then maybe try my hand at Mandarin...', and judging other linguists on how many languages they speak

11) knowing in a conversation with other English people that a word from another language would explain what you're trying to say much better, but not wanting to sound pretentious

12) the overwhelming desire to correct someone when they pronounce a foreign word wrong (it's 'wingardium leviosar', not 'leviosar')

13) coming out of a particularly good class where you said some amazing idiom in the target language and feeling like you're practically fluent

14) coming out of a particularly bad class where you forgot the present tense form of avoir, and considering transferring to Biology

and best of all...

15) talking to a native and having them understand, and knowing all those hours of awkward conversation classes and agonising grammar exercises were worth it