What we have always found fascinating is how learning a new language isn’t just about acquiring new tools, but it also means changing your worldview. You think this is an overstatement?! Let us change your mind in this blog post.
The Serbian language has unique logic: seven cases (padeži), authentic emotional expressions (ajde, e, brate), and much more, which challenge and expand your brain. It requires you to change your way of thinking and motivates you to learn more about the culture and the Serbian experience to grasp it fully. The shift begins to happen when you stop trying to ‘translate’, and start trying to understand.
Mistakes Make You Fluent
Mistakes while learning a language are a sign of growth, not failure. Only through your mistakes can you figure out what you are doing wrong and overcome it. There is no shame in being wrong from time to time – that’s the best way to learn!
For example, we had a student who once said in front of his Serbian friends:
‘Ja imam simpatiju za njega!’ – thinking he said he has sympathy for his friend. What he said instead was: ‘I have a crush on him.’ He directly translated the word sympathy to a very similar Serbian variant, simpatija, thinking he did a great job. Needless to say, his friends were rolling on the floor, laughing.
And?! Nothing! He survived. It is a story he gladly shared with us, and something that definitely made him remember his vocabulary better. There you go.
Learning Emotional Resistance - Serbian Will Test You
Yes, the Serbian language is challenging. There are cases, perfective and imperfective verbs, conjugation, pronunciation, etc. All the things that will make your head spin. However, we wrote about general basic grammar and conjugation here, and here – so we will not waste your time with that right now.
What we want to focus on is how these challenges build patience, persistence, and self-belief. While learning a new language, you are going through an emotional cycle of language learning: shame – resistance – breakthrough – confidence. The finish line is where you want to be, right?! Then, go back to work!
Serbian will test you; it will not give itself up easily to you. All the more reason for you to give it your all. You have to deserve it, work hard for it, and you will receive it!
Language is a Way To Connect
Learning Serbian, as with any other foreign language, opens the door to real connection through communication with the locals, friends, family, or even ancestors. Showing interest and speaking at least a little bit of Serbian can shift how people see and treat you. They will receive it as a sign of respect for them and their language. This is not about performance – it’s about belonging.
Through learning, through shifting your mindset, you are not only using the language but becoming someone new through it.
On a Journey of Becoming
Sure, Serbian is a huge challenge to your brain and your confidence; however, what you gain from it is way beyond vocabulary. It’s a deeper connection to yourself and the world. Learning a foreign language teaches you to embrace the chaos with curiosity, not fear! If you need help with that, we are here for you – you can contact us, check out our materials, or simply read what we do here on our blog!
Start learning with us today!
