I grew up in Denmark, where the 2nd language we learn is English, and the 3rd is German. I thought that Denmark was an island in the sea, then England was another neighbouring island, and then Germany was beyond England, etc. And such, all the countries are therefore lined up, with the easiest language (Danish) first, and the hardest last.
A childhood belief about foreign languages
others believed things like this
- I used to believe that England was shaped like a Sewing Machine Box, Germany was a Smiling Sun. Anon
- when I was young, I thought Denmark was a state, just like Deleware and North Dakota.— valerie
- I also thought that people in different countries coughed, sneezed, laughed, or cried in their own language!— Mini
- I used to believe that, no matter what language other people spoke, that everyone thought in EnglishAnon
- I thought the England was EDGE-land but england was ENG-landAnon
- I used to believe that the whole world spoke the same language- English.Anon