Comments on: A Look At An Innovative Communication Tool

By: Getting To Know…Ryan Knapp « Rey(es) of Light

Getting To Know…Ryan Knapp « Rey(es) of Light — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 12:03:29 +0000

[...] get to know Ryan Knapp. I first connected with Ryan when he was featured on Gini Dietrich‘s Spin Sucks. When I saw that he was a soccer fan, I knew I had to get to know him! You can find out more [...]

By: Ryan Knapp

Ryan Knapp — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:15:10 +0000

Italian? Well done. Four out of six of my groomsmen speak it fluently along with Sicilian because their parents are straight from the homeland. You would have thought I’d pick it up by now!

Lost in translation is right. We will never get over that fully, but at least having an open mind to another lg can help in those situations.

By: Ryan Knapp

Ryan Knapp — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:03:54 +0000

Good point Gabriel! You definitely have an advantage with your multilingualism, and I’m completely jealous of five languages. Maybe one day I’ll get there.

Your tips for just learning a few words are spot on. Along with those I usually learn ‘I’m not a native, do you speak english’ because after they think you speak the language fluently, they fly off the handle.

Good luck for your Ironman and triathlon training as well!

By: Ryan Knapp

Ryan Knapp — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:01:41 +0000

Thanks for the welcome to Kansas City Kathy. I’m excited to give it a go and see how I like it. Good thing is there is lots of open road to explore on my bike!

Glad to hear you are going to jump back into classes. With the loads of Spanish speakers there, you could just organize a group of people who want to learn the language, similar to a book club. I’ve done it before and it helps keep everyone on track.

By: Amy Akomas

Amy Akomas — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:08:00 +0000

That’s it Ryan! I’m going to take that Italian class after all That’d make me uhmmm, multilingual! Yay!!!

On a serious note, you are right. I’ve seen where many conversations get “lost in translation” where it shouldn’t have been the case, and like you said, learning a new language is not only easy; it’s also intriguing. I wish most people will go for it.

By: Gabriel

Gabriel — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 07:48:42 +0000

While in London for my PhD studies a few (!) years ago, I’d reply to my British friends who’d marvel at the 5 languages I speak fluently with an encouraging “But you DO speak several languages! British English, American English, Australian, etc.”…
Totally agree with you Ryan: some of us often take it too much for granted, but in my view, there’s no other single subject you can teach yourself which comes close to the impact on personal and professional life that an extra language has!
One tip I often use when arriving in a country whose language I do not (yet) speak: ask to be taught just a few words of civilities (thank you, please, hello, good bye, etc.), learn how to pronounce these to absolute perfection, and meet new people by greeting them with just these words, in their mother tongue. Often I end up being (briefly…) mistaken for a local, and have to apologise to the other person for not speaking more of their language. This just has a magical effect: it shows you have tried to enter the other person’s world, and they open up like they rarely would, even if the conversation has to continue with a 3rd language (often English).

Bonne préparation pour ton Semi-Ironman cette année, et ton Ironman l’année prochaine!

By: Kathy Babb

Kathy Babb — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:48:37 +0000

Excellent post, Ryan. And welcome to my hometown, Kansas City. I hope you’ll enjoy living there. The climate should be much more tolerable than Buffalo (NY, right?).

I now live in San Antonio, Texas, where Spanish-speakers are still a minority, but about 60% of our city is Latino. With so much opportunity here to learn and interact with the language, you have inspired me to jump back into Spanish classes. I know that being trapped on our continent makes it too easy for us to only speak English, yet at least being bilingual will benefit me no matter where I live or travel.

By: Nikki Stephan

Nikki Stephan — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 18:13:39 +0000

Yes, Chile is an amazing country.

By: Ryan Knapp

Ryan Knapp — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 17:59:04 +0000

Thanks Nikki for the comment. Like you said, you might not be working with clients now who are Spanish speaking, but when someone randomly calls and speaks only Spanish, you can jump right in and take care of it. Even if you only know how to say “I don’t speak Spanish, please be patient’ you still know more than you did before.

I bet Chile was beautiful!

By: Nikki Stephan

Nikki Stephan — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 17:24:56 +0000

I love this suggestion, Ryan! In college, I double majored in PR and Spanish, and I studied abroad in Chile for a semester. Knowing a second language definitely helped me stand out from other job seekers during interviews. While I’m not currently working with clients who are reaching out to the Hispanic market, knowing a second language has come in handy countless times. Like you said, I would recommend people do the bare minimum and at least learn how to say the basics in a language other than what they primarily speak.