Tapping Into Duolingo
There was no better time to learn something new than during a stay-at-home order. Of course, this was only for the privileged. It seemed we were all discovering new recipes and hobbies not normally worth trending worldwide before a pandemic.
Inspired by my friend’s social post about her Duolingo streak, I began my streak in August 2020. Last week, I celebrated my 600-day streak in Spanish. These daily Duolingo lessons amounted to something worth being proud of during the pandemic.
I have always wanted to learn Spanish. I don’t remember why this is so. When the only options at school were languages of colonizers, I wanted to choose Spanish. Instead, I had to oblige my parents by learning French because I’m Canadian. With a few years of acing French, the lack of practice meant I couldn’t properly order a meal in Paris when I finally made my way there in 2013. Thanks to a fellow Canadian in my tour group for helping some of us out! At least we didn’t end up eating a meal we didn’t understand like when Brenda and Donna of Beverly Hills, 90210 visited Paris. I still recognize words and phrases in French from time to time. All is not lost. I hope I can better retain Spanish as I continue to learn it. Just don’t talk to me in Spanish quite yet. I’m still nowhere near being comfortable with even the simplest of conversations.
While English is my first language, some people find it absurd that my first language isn’t one that matches my skin tone, facial features, and last name. My first memorable experience with racism was when my mom was registering me for kindergarten. One of the teachers enthusiastically greeted us by saying she’ll see me in her ESL class. My mom told her English is my first language and that I was born here. I still had to take ESL classes. And the racism hasn’t stopped.
Whether at an event or on a local train, strangers strike up awkward conversations with me in attempt to prove they are worldlier than I am. They ask me ignorant questions as if they were intelligent, and immediately dislike that I’m not the stereotype they assumed me to be. The topics range from fast trains to religion to language. It is almost always about language, specifically Mandarin and Cantonese. “It’s never too late to learn,” they would say. They are right, but I can learn any language I want! Maybe Japanese, Korean, or American Sign Language (ASL) will be next. Who says language has to be seen or heard? My cetirizine medication from Oslo has braille on its packaging! This is the inclusivity every country should strive to achieve! I’m keeping the box forever.
While I’m disappointed that COVID-19 cancelled my Costa Rica trip in 2020, I’m grateful for my health and safety. I’m proud of myself for spending five minutes a day tapping out Spanish words in Duolingo on my phone. After visiting several Spanish-speaking countries over the years without being able to communicate beyond a basic greeting or expression of gratitude, I hope I’ll be able to put my 600-day streak and counting to good use. See you one day, Costa Rica! Estoy muy ocupada!
