Language is elusive

Status
Not open for further replies.

alpacinou

Key Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2019
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
Persian
Home Country
Iran
Current Location
Iran
Hello

In my language there is a saying the literally translates to "language is elusive".

It means that you have to keep repeating the material you learn otherwise "it will escape" from you.

For example, if you don't study English for 6 months, all the material you have learned will escape from your brain!

How can that be expressed in English?
 

GoesStation

No Longer With Us (RIP)
Joined
Dec 22, 2015
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
A general expression of the principle is If you don't use it, you lose it. This obviously doesn't apply only to language.

Anglophone cultures are typically so resistant to learning languages that few if any common expressions relate to the subject.
 

emsr2d2

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 28, 2009
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
UK
I frequently use the shorter "Use it or lose it".
 

probus

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jan 7, 2011
Member Type
Retired English Teacher
Native Language
English
Home Country
Canada
Current Location
Canada
Interestingly, though, alpacinoutd, the loss is only temporary. For the most part, my wife and I live our lives in English. When she returns to her native place, she is tongue-tied for a day or two in her mother tongue. I find that when I visit France it takes a couple of days before my ear for French begins to work and I become fluent. (French is my second language.)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top