Hey reader,
I came across a question around motivation recently, and that inspired me to theme today’s newsletter. Someone’s comment in particular stood out:
For self-study I've found that my "motivation" is liking what I do each day. I like learning a language. Not the "maybe, possibly, after several years" knowing, but the "right now" learning. But that means paying attention: when I notice I actually dislike doing something each day, I need to stop doing it.
I don’t know about you, but this completely rings true to me. After all, if you’re not really motivated to do something, you’re not gonna do it.
It’s important for all of us to think about what those “right now” motivations are, and to double down on them. Let’s have a look at the types of things that might motivate you:
Progress - That feeling of making progress (e.g. finishing a lesson, understanding a sentence), especially when that progress is measurable.
Connection - Things involving people, culture, or communication. The feeling of becoming more connected with the language.
Curiosity - Exploring and discovering new things, such as grammar, etymology, or trivia about the culture. Language is a puzzle to be solved.
You can use this framework to find ways to reward yourself and choose activities that keep you motivated.
Perhaps one or two speak to you more. Perhaps all three hold a lot of sway. Either way, understanding where your motivation is coming from will be helpful in your learning.
🛠️Resource spotlight: Twitch.tv
If you enjoy video games or streamers, did you know you can filter by language on Twitch? It’s basically infinite language content. Just head to the game of your choice then click on the language filter.
A warning, if you’re looking for more formal or standard speech, experiences can vary across streamers. Make sure you pick someone who speaks similar to how you want to speak.
💻From around the web
Some interesting etymology. The word “insult” used to mean “to jump on”. The Spanish “saltar” and French “sauter” (to jump) are directly related.
Where does the alphabet come from?
“Rage bait” is Oxford’s word of the year. Taking a bit of a different approach, The Economist went with “slop”. Pick your favourite!
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