I read a sign today that said “a foreign accent is a sign of bravery”. It made me think….
This is very true! To leave the country of your birth, all those things familiar, friends and family, security etc. and move to a country that does not speak your native language, is indeed a sign of bravery. This is particularly the case for refugees, those displaced by events out of their control like war or natural disasters. They are forced to move to a new country and it must be terrifying to not be understood or know what is going on around you, let alone learning how things work in your new country.
People often tell me that I’m really brave travelling on my own, living the dream, moving to Spain etc where they do not speak English, but I don’t see it that way at all. It just reflects their fear as they can’t picture themselves taking a leap into the unknown like I do. All I see and feel is excitement and anticipation of what will happen next. But I have a choice. This is something I choose to do.
I went to bed tonight thinking about that sign I read. Please do not call me brave. I am not in that category at all.
I am finding out that learning a new language as an adult is not easy to do. I’ve had one week of school so far and I’ve crashed tonight totally exhausted by the brain drain. I keep thinking that I have the luxury of being able to afford classes. How hard would it be if you had to learn on the street without knowing the verb conjugations etc.
No, I’ve taken the easy route. I live with a Spanish friend with whom I can practise. I have paid for Spanish lessons and a local Spanish teacher. I feel for those who cannot do this.
Yes, many of those with a Spanish accent have faced enormous challenges and conquered them. We need to be more compassionate and patient with them. They are brave!!! Their courage should be admired !!!!
Margaret Caffyn 
I’ve just found your blog and it voices my thoughts and feelings perfectly.
Having just bought a property in inland Spain my wife and I are currently trying to learn the language before we move permanently. We suffer the ‘brain drain every week from our one hour lesson.
Being at school, learning it everyday, must create a void where your brain used to be.
It is difficult the older you get to absorb knowledge but we’ll get there. Hope all goes well.
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This is so true 🙂 xxx
From: Margaret Caffyn Reply-To: Margaret Caffyn Date: Saturday, 11 May 2019 at 9:36 AM To: Phyllis Subject: [New post] Bravery
WordPress.com Margaret Caffyn posted: “I read a sign today that said “a foreign accent is a sign of bravery”. It made me think…. This is very true! To leave the country of your birth, all those things familiar, friends and family, security etc. and move to a country that does not speak you”
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How true, when I was doing language classes there were political refugees in my class and they HAD TO LEARN QUICKLY that or they did not eat because they could not get work without the language I really admired their bravery 💝
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True! true! true! Margaret! Xxx
While we have choices it’s easy. When we have no choice and have to step up in the face of difficulties we have no control over…that’s brave! Good point and well made Stotty!!💪 much love you Camino adventurer!!! Mind you…the unknown can be a little scary too…😘🤗👏👏👏
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Thankyou Margaret – and, may I say that I find myself really agreeing with John’s response to your post…..VERY thought provoking indeed on so many levels. So many of us ‘don’t think’ about issues such as language barriers, about just how hard it CAN, and very often is, for us to not only learn, but to really understand, something such as a New Language, both the spoken and the written versions. Yes, most of us can probably learn the basics, such as how to ask for coffee, food, toilets etc, but, to Really delve below the surface and LEARN is not an easy task at all. I don’t think of you as Brave Margaret, but, you DO have my admiration and my respect.
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What a thought provoking wonderful post!
Really loved this post and has enlightened me to something I hadn’t really thought about before.
Thank you 🙏
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Thanks John.
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