I dropped out of Lernu -- and Esperanto -- when I began classes in conversational Welsh a few months ago. I didn't mean to, and obviously I'm deeply ashamed of myself, but here I am again. My attempt at Welsh has 'crashed and burned', but at some point I'm going to have to make another attempt.

So here's my question. Does anyone have any handy hints for someone like me who is trying to learn two (very different) languages at the same time? I enjoy the Esperanto community and I don't want to lose that, but learning Welsh is a commitment I've made to my employers so I'm obliged to do that. Can I have both?

You can. Personally, I'm learning English, French and Esperanto at the same time, without many problems. It's especially easy if they're very different as then you don't have the risk of using a word from the other language (I sometimes use Esperanto words in my French...)

Soon i want to learn 5 languages at the same time (Croatian, Esperanto, Dutch, French and Persian. And who knows, maybe Romanian too, but it depends on finding a good book to learn). I wonder how successful it will be, but i have a very positive feeling and the motivation to do that
Saluton!

yes it is possible! I am learning english, spanish and esperanto at the same time, but I often mix up spanish and esperanto because they are similar...
I agree with darkweasel, it is easier to learn languages witch are very different.

but it is most important that you really want to learn it, then you have the motivation to manage it!

rano:but it is most important that you really want to learn it, then you have the motivation to manage it!

I suspect that's the problem. I have to learn Welsh, but i don't especially want to learn it.

But thanks for the encouragement!

I'm currently learning Chinese as well as my Esperanto studies. This is the best advice I know to give. Do what you enjoy...

I used to think that I had to study a language because it was "useful". Honestly, this is illogical. You might think that Spanish is a more useful langauge than, say, "Vietnamese" because Spanish has more speakers. However, in this global world, you might find yourself working in East Asia someday where your Spanish studies will prove relatively "useless". At that point, you'll discover very quickly how useful Vietnamese can be.

In short, there is no such thing as a "useless/useful" language. There is only what interests you. And, I've discovered, I won't continue with something unless I genuinely have an interest. Therefore, this has become my focus.

Now, if you are being FORCED to learn Welsh, that might make this a more difficult matter. Try to discover what fascinates you about the language. For me, Welsh looks really cool because English speakers have such a miserable time trying to pronounce it. When you tell them "I speak Welsh", they will be genuinely impressed because "THEY" don't think they could ever learn it. What's more, you'll know how to say the names of all those cool, little towns in Wales that my American accent won't let me pronounce. (Terribly embarrasing when you're asking directions to a pub) Welsh people also tend to take a lot of pride in knowing their language because so few people speak it. Also, being a minority language, you'll find that Welsh speakers will be very appreciative when you make the attempt. (I've personally seen this with other minority languages) These would be good reasons for me; reasons that make the learning "fun".

I love Esperanto because I'm a language hound and it is such a cool thing to know. I often meet people who know about it, but have never heard it spoken. I'm frequently the only Esperanto speaker they've ever met. Kinda cool. I also love the logic and the genius that went into the planning of the grammar and the vocabulary. For me, this is fun.

Discover what it is about the language that you enjoy. The key is, you'll only stick with something that is fun and "fun" is a relative term. We decide for ourselves what is fun and what isn't. Focus on what you think is "fun" and hold onto that. At that point, you'll WANT to study and it will come naturally.

@andogigi: I can tell you that my motivation to start Croatian (at the beginning I thought about Slovene, but it was quite problematic to find a good source) was Balkan music which I adore.
P.S. To be honest, people's reactions are not always that great. People has treated me often as a weirdo after knowing my passion

richardhall:

rano:but it is most important that you really want to learn it, then you have the motivation to manage it!

I suspect that's the problem. I have to learn Welsh, but i don't especially want to learn it.

But thanks for the encouragement!

I have the same problem with spanish! I could choose between spanish and frensh but I didn´t knew that it is so complicated, especially if you know how easy esperanto is...

Maybe you can raise your interest in Welsh by combining it with your interest in Esperanto. J.C. Wells wrote a small pocket dictionary, Esperanto-Welsh/Welsh-Esperanto. It's not expensive, you can get it from the UEA.

But a word of encouragement. Even though you are not internally motivated to learn Welsh, I think you can learn to like it. I have studied a small amount of French and Spanish at various times - French for work, Spanish for travel. Those aren't languages that I ever was really interested in studying, but I felt I needed to for one reason or another. I did find things in them to interest me. And I guess the best part was (duh) actually being able to understand the language. French started seeming a whole lot more interesting once I found that I could read French texts. I think Welsh is so cool, though, I would love to be required to learn it for work. I have always dreamed of being allowed to learn a language on company time, essentially being paid to learn a language.

prz_rulez:@andogigi: I can tell you that my motivation to start Croatian (at the beginning I thought about Slovene, but it was quite problematic to find a good source) was Balkan music which I adore.
P.S. To be honest, people's reactions are not always that great. People has treated me often as a weirdo after knowing my passion

Not weird at all. My wife's family is Croatian. We listen to tambura music all the time. My nephew is in a group which does kolo dancing.

Music is a great motivator!