Learning languages through fandom
Apr. 23rd, 2025 01:40 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dividedbyblueI can safely say that I learned English by reading fanfiction. Xena fanfiction, back when the internet was young. Now, in the mid 2020’s, I find myself at a similar crossroad.
For a long time, I’ve been wanting to learn Spanish. But it wasn’t untill about a year ago now, in which I’m watching a Spanish telenovela with a sapphic couple, that I feel the same motivation I felt back in the day to learn a new language. About a year ago, I decided I wanted to be able to read Spanish fanfiction stories, so I set out to learn Spanish. Some daily Duolingo studying combined with a few other apps later, I can say that I’m now at a point where, with looking up words, I can read Spanish fanfiction. This is amazing.
It is amazing that fandom can have this impact and motivate you to learn a new language. I’m still on my language journey with Spanish. Though I understand it somewhat, I’m far from speaking the language. But the love for the language is something I owe to fandom and my love for sapphic ships. I’m excited to continue on this language journey.
For a long time, I’ve been wanting to learn Spanish. But it wasn’t untill about a year ago now, in which I’m watching a Spanish telenovela with a sapphic couple, that I feel the same motivation I felt back in the day to learn a new language. About a year ago, I decided I wanted to be able to read Spanish fanfiction stories, so I set out to learn Spanish. Some daily Duolingo studying combined with a few other apps later, I can say that I’m now at a point where, with looking up words, I can read Spanish fanfiction. This is amazing.
It is amazing that fandom can have this impact and motivate you to learn a new language. I’m still on my language journey with Spanish. Though I understand it somewhat, I’m far from speaking the language. But the love for the language is something I owe to fandom and my love for sapphic ships. I’m excited to continue on this language journey.
