31 Steps to Learn a New Language: Step #3 - Accept That You Cannot Always Be Fluent
In keeping with the second goal, it is important to get rid of the word "fluent" in a learner's vocabulary. Although it is quite counter-intuitive to the purpose of this book, it is necessary in learning any language. A person can never be truly eloquent in a language foreign to their mother tongue. That is, unless they are a native to the country the language they are learning originates from. And even then, they still wouldn't be entirely fluent. That is because language is fluid, it is volatile, alive and not rigid in form. It might be hard to keep up especially if you do not always get to use the language.
The structure of a certain language will continue to change and develop before a non-native speaker can even begin to catch up. Acknowledging and respecting the fact that one cannot be fluent in a language is important. This enables a learner to maintain a consistent drive to keep learning it. Instead, it is better for learners to yearn to be functional in a language and let it continue to inspire them. These ambitions are easier to define and achieve. Because of this, an individual is less likely to feel disappointed or discouraged from continuing on the otherwise beautiful journey of language learning.
