In March 2020, I decided to go all in on learning Portuguese. It would be easy because I already spoke Spanish. Yeah, right. Lots of bumps in the road, and lots of joy, geography, food and people that rock. What kind of commitment did it take? Five to ten hours a week. It was more about time than money because there are so many free resources that helped me find my happy places in meditation and music. I even transcreated and sang and played Melim’s “Meu Abrigo”. Want to learn Spanish, Portuguese or English but not sure of what you really want or how to go about getting it? NewMeadowUno can help.
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Stepping outside my comfort zone. Photo courtesy of JC.Dwyer ©2020
Language Learning: Purpose, Persistence, Patience and ROI
How purpose, persistence, patience (and stepping outside your comfort zone) can deliver expected and bonus ROI for those who want to learn a second language.
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Clipped from a friend’s Colorado Rockie Hockey ID Card (Thanks, Joe!)
NHL and World Languages: Around the League and Alrededor del Mundo →
The great thing about the NHL: athletes from all over the world get why learning a second language is so important. Eleven Boston Bruins hail from outside the US and Canada; the current roster includes players who were born in the Czech Republic, Finland, Slovakia and Sweden.
Players from other teams come from those countries, as well as Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Norway, Russia, Slovenia, Switzerland and Ukraine.
No NHL players from Spain, South America or Mexico. Aside from Auston Matthews and Scott Gomez, who grew up in Spanish-speaking households, and perhaps Billy Guerin, whose mother is from Nicaragua, there are few who can at least understand Spanish.
Not that there isn’t anyone open to learning Spanish. Pierre-Luc Dubois of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who considers himself the third-best Russian speaker on the team, would like to recruit teammates to learn Russian, German or Spanish.
Until he wins over a teammate—and this goes for any NHL player or fan who wants to learn Spanish—Dubois might visit NHL.com/es. Launched in October 2019, it’s the league’s ninth native language site.
Dubois could also contact Los Angeles Kings prospect Akil Thomas, who when interviewed by Ron MacLean in April 2020, said that he grew up in Florida and took Spanish in high school. During this time away from the game, he’s reconnecting with the language.
Dubois, Thomas and fans can also find Spanish content from the Kings, Chicago Blackhawks, Vegas Golden Knights, and San Jose Sharks—all have all upped their multicultural marketing games.
If you’re a Kings fan, like my sister-in-law and her family, listen to the first goal called in Spanish on ESPN Deportes (depp-OATER-tess).
If you’re a Bruins fan like me, you can learn Spanish by reliving Juego Siete (who-EGG-oh see-YET-eh) against Toronto (May 13, 2013).
All NHL fans could see the day when ARG joins CAN, CZE, FIN, SVK, SWE, USA and the other fourteen listings in the birthplace column.
Argentina (otter-hen-TEEN-ah). Correcto. One of these youngsters could make it to El Show.
If you’re aiming for the NHL (or not), I can’t help you with your shot or foot speed (I’m a former low-scoring, shot-blocking amateur defenseman).
As a professional Spanish language consultant, I can assist you with your pronunciation, customize a learning plan for you or transcreate your team’s creative content.
Let’s get started with a free consultation.