Prakhar Khanna / Android Authority
Recently when testing out Gemini’s ability to recognize different accents and languages, I realized that the AI tool’s Live mode actually understands my second language: Afrikaans. This lead to me having a conversation about different topics in the language and I realized that the chatbot could actually coach me and help me practice.
As a result, I was able to learn new words, discuss topics I lacked the proficiency for, and ask questions about specific meanings. It has become the perfect partner to help me become more comfortable speaking the language.
Do you ever use your second language when using AI chatbots? 295 votes Yes. 62 % I would if they supported it. 28 % No, I prefer to use my first language. 10 %
Practicing my second language has always been a challenge
Megan Ellis / Android Authority
Afrikaans has always been a part of my life — it’s my father’s first language, my parents use it to speak to each other, and certain members of my family spoke nothing else when I was growing up. But early on, I decided I didn’t want to speak it. This was a result of teasing from certain people due to my English accent.
Despite not speaking the language, I picked up a considerable amount from hearing my parents. But my comprehension was always better than my spoken skills. I compromised when I was older and accepted requests from my grandmother to speak Afrikaans with her. By then, I realized how anxious speaking it made me. I didn’t know certain words, jumbled up grammar, and was always conscious about my accent. It was no longer a case of being too stubborn to speak it, but too nervous.
I started out being too stubborn to speak Afrikaans, but then eventually became too nervous.
When I moved away from home, my fluency declined further. I forgot a lot of what I learned in school and that anxiety about speaking Afrikaans only increased. It became the norm that I would only respond in English if someone spoke to me in Afrikaans. I tried out a few language learning apps that supported the language, but often found that the vocabulary was outdated.
... continue reading