I know a few words, but I've learned that ignorance is bliss here. You don't hear any negativity.
Difficulty? It is all relative... I know 30+ computer languages, but can barely speak english (haha). =) So for me, both would be impossible. Vietnamese is tonal + context and I just don't hear the tones at all.
A few other ways to look at things... yes, I miss out on a lot by not knowing Vietnamese, but at the same time it is a low value language in all other countries. I won't need it elsewhere and I'm not sure I want to live here forever.
Not knowing the language has made me tune my other senses more... I can usually pick up on what people are talking about just by gestures.
The other thing I've noticed is that I just don't have much in common with people who don't know english... there is just so much that you miss out on in the world that cultural values and judgements tend to be vastly different.
Travel. Live in other countries. Pay attention to what is around you. It really gives you immense perspective that you don't get otherwise.
Difficulty? It is all relative... I know 30+ computer languages, but can barely speak english (haha). =) So for me, both would be impossible. Vietnamese is tonal + context and I just don't hear the tones at all.
A few other ways to look at things... yes, I miss out on a lot by not knowing Vietnamese, but at the same time it is a low value language in all other countries. I won't need it elsewhere and I'm not sure I want to live here forever.
Not knowing the language has made me tune my other senses more... I can usually pick up on what people are talking about just by gestures.
The other thing I've noticed is that I just don't have much in common with people who don't know english... there is just so much that you miss out on in the world that cultural values and judgements tend to be vastly different.
Travel. Live in other countries. Pay attention to what is around you. It really gives you immense perspective that you don't get otherwise.