Learning New Words

As I am now immersed in the process, language acquisition has become a top interest of mine.  Oh the things they don't teach you in language courses!!!  I have been  fortunate to develop a group of extremely patient French friends, who converse with me in French, correcting my grammar and supplying vocabulary as we go along.  That's one way, and probably the best way to learn.

Another way is to translate--newspaper articles, or as is my case now, a book.  I am a little less than halfway finished with a translation of the History of Carcassonne, as seen from the point of view of the stones of the city.  I have developed some vocabulary that way, and am learning about the people and events that shaped this city as well.  I have picked up archaeological terms, and architectural terms and words pertaining to sieges and warfare tactics.  Interesting, but I wonder how useful those terms will be in my life here. 

Now that I have a stepladder, I can finally see the inside of this and clean it.

But there's a third way, and it's not been altogether wonderful. During the past week,  I have learned the words for leak, and  extractor hood filter and stepladder...and you might wonder just how those came into my vocabulary----it's the necessity method.  We had a series of storms over the past couple of days and I have a leak in the vent over the kitchen stove.  I have had to learn the vocabulary in order to report it and deal with the repair people.  What a journey.

Cleaned and newly filtered extractor hood panel 

Not only have I learned the vocabulary, but I am learning the way some French appliances work, how to take them apart and clean them, and where to buy the necessary supplies.  They sure didn't teach that in my high school French class!  

As I have said before, living the dream!