knowing a language and knowing about a language

[Margha]

what's the difference between knowing a language and knowing about a language??

Thanks!

[BobK]

what's the difference between knowing a language and knowing about a language??

Thanks!

"Knowing a language" implies the ability to use it. "Knowing about a language" implies simply being able to talk about it.

I know [a certain amount] about Rumanian. I know it's an Indo-European language, for example. I know the infinitive of the verb to leave (because it contrasts neatly with the Portuguese for to arrive, and they're both derived from the Latin verb to fold). But that's pretty much the sum of my knowledge about Rumanian; I don't, by any stretch of the imagination, know it.

b

[Tdol]

Many students know a lot about the grammar of English, but find it hard to maintain a conversation.