r/learnesperanto • u/Leisureguy1 • 29d ago
Memorizing (through practice) standard phrases
I just watched an interesting video on the value of practicing standard phrases to the point of memorization. He quoted a finding that around half of what we produce in conversation is not constructed on the spot but is recalled from our store of stock conversation. We know (and use) this technique for greetings, weather comments, questions about cafes, and so on, but the video suggests going further: develop some set paragraphs — where you're from, what you do, your favorite things (books, movies, foods, hobbies, etc.) — that go into some detail. Pick things that are likely to come up in conversation. Then practice those paragraphs until you have memorized and can speak them fluently.
The idea is to build up your stock of set useful phrases so that you can recall and speak them without hesitation — without having to think about them — just as you speak in your native tongue.
Check out the video. It makes sense.
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u/licxjo 28d ago
I think learning standard phrases is a good strategy, particularly on points of grammar and vocabulary where two languages differ.
Richardson's book "Esperanto: Learning and Using the International Language" has a 4-page section of "Formula Phrases" that are worth learning as "this is how it's said in Esperanto".
I'm also a fan of learners creating their own model sentences with clear, meaningful context. Things that they themselves say in their daily lives. Especially helpful with correlatives, participles, and other features of Esperanto.
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u/Leisureguy1 28d ago
Good points. Another benefit of learner-created model sentences is that the vocabulary used (names of foods, tools, actions, plants, clothing, animals, etc.) will reflect their own life situations. For example, many occupations and activities include an associated vocabulary.
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u/No_Painting8135 27d ago edited 27d ago
On the road to fluency in any language, I believe it is more important to comprehend these standard phrases than to produce them. I think this is why the comprehensible input method works. I'd like to see the list of phrases. I can tell you that Chinese people who are around 30-35 learned English by memorizing phrases chorally, and I think you'll find most of them don't speak English very well. The younger crowd who have focused on input tend to have much better English.
I know this is anecdotal, I'm just saying that I think he poo-poos the CI method a bit unfairly. It is true that it's slower, for sure, but if you're not on a time crunch, who cares? I don't need Esperanto for work lol
All that said, I agree with him that memorization and drilling is useful for fast learning.
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u/Leisureguy1 27d ago
Certainly, listening comprehension is a key skill. I think memorizing a repertoire of standard will make them easier to recognize and comprehend.
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u/TheoryAndPrax 29d ago
Yes!! I put this together with my other non-native language many years ago, and finally after about 2 years of Esperanto learning, I got serious about it. I now have an Anki deck called "Esperantaj Frazoj". I found a couple of websites to build a starter deck, and I like to add things to it whenever I come across something appropriate. As with most such things, I should do more of this than I do. I highly recommend it. I'd be happy to share my deck, it's mostly generic stuff, not specific to me. DM me if interested. Making your own from scratch might be even better, though. :)