Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Multitasking in a Second Language

How easy is it to learn a second language?

Trick question, of course. It's hard.  (Unless you are a young child)

If you are trying to live a life, while also trying to exist in this second language, you may appear foolish to others.  It's the strain of multitasking.

You are concerned about the task at hand, performing it correctly, that somehow, other concerns fly out the window.  There is a funny effect, a sense that "all rules are null and void". 

Beware of this when designing things for travelers & tourists especially. They will be grateful for things which are simple to visualize. Don't dumb things down, especially thing like history or maps-accuracy is always important.  But understand that each complication must be clearly spelled out.

International driving signs don't always exist in the United States.  If a rotary is not labeled as a rotary, who is expected to yield first? Especially if there is no sign. Put extra signage when in doubt.  I've witnessed near accidents because of this. Look out!!