January 16, 2013, 08:15:31 pm
You know, Nico, I started to learn English in 3rd grade (ehm... almost 40 years ago now) but when I really started to understand English syntax (sentence build) was when I also learned Latin (alas, only at university).
I believe I know English grammar better than 99% of native English speakers (I am a qualified translator and interpreter - even taught it at university for a while) but that Latin (and a pinch of Greek) was the real enlightment for me. Not to speak about the advantage that once in Spain or especially Italy for a couple of days, I can already understand a lot and after a week or so, I can even speak basic stuff. Then I of course forget but it comes back.