Memory - Can I help a client remember a forgotten 2nd language?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Beryl Comar on March 24, 2009 at 12:31am

Hi,
I had a client who was "kidnapped" from a country at age five by her father and taken to US and forbidden to use her native language.
At age 25 she found herself here in Dubai on an internship and close to her "motherland". She found from a friend that her mother and grandmother were still alive and living in the native village, she wanted to visit but no-one would understand her now, and she would not know them. She had already enrolled in a language course, but the going was slow.
She came to me to see what we could do together to enhance the learning and promote a visit. It felt great to be able to help as she had wonderful memories particularly of her grandmother who was her main carer when small.
I regressed her to age 3, sitting on granny's knee listening whilst she told a story, mesmerised and twirling her hair looking into granny's eyes etc. I asked her to listen very carefully and when listening very carefully to the story raise her finger, "Now listen and, in granny's words, exactly as granny says it repeat what granny says" just a short while she started in a stream of what I recognised to be that language, although not knowing it well myself. So, I just kept softly saying. "good, continue" and let it happen. I followed with DS on good ideas about now knowing the language, understanding, confidence, strengthening her ongoing learning in class more and more etc. Remembering what had happened today and all the words easy for her to understand and remember whenever she needed them.
It was an awesome session, We both loved it - and yes, she went to meet granny and mum three months later.
Isn't it wonderful to do the work we do!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Doreen Cohanim C.Ht on March 24, 2009 at 1:26am

Hi Beryl,

Excellent, I have used the same method in the past and it worked as well.... great post....

Doreen

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by John Cleesattel on March 24, 2009 at 6:06am

I had a similar experience with a man who used to play the violin for several year in his youth. Hadn't picked it up for almost 20 years. When I regressed him, I had him focus on remembering the feel of the violin in his hands, where his fingers went, how he held it, and how he held the bow as he played his favorite song. I let him know that he had taught his body how to play back then, and his body would remember. After learning the notes, he used to just have to think of what he wanted to play, and his body would play it for him. I told him to revisit a performance he had given. Remember the place, the audience, the music, and how much he had practiced to get it just right. I then told him when he was ready, open his eyes, pick up his violin, and play just as he had back then. The audience was waiting. He played very well for a few minutes but stopped. He smiled at me and said his hands weren't in condition to play as he used to, his fingers were too stiff, but now he knew exactly how to play again and that's what he wanted.

I hope that helps
John

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Pattie Freeman CH.t, MST on March 25, 2009 at 12:19am

I would think not knowing all the facts that regression to the certain age when she knew it and then recalling it fresh in her mind to current date would probably work for you.

Pattie

• ▶ Reply

▶ Reply to Discussion