--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It took me a year to really learn the…" description: "\"It took me a year to really learn the American lingo. I really feel for people who are coming here and don't speak English at all. It must be hell.\" — ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d4b/helen-reddy-12741_hell_it-took-me-a-year-to-really-learn-the-am_2743669.jpg" --- # It took me a year to really learn the American lingo. I… ![“It took me a year to really learn the American lingo. I really feel for people who are coming here and don't speak English at all. It must be hell.” quote by Helen Reddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d4b/helen-reddy-12741_hell_it-took-me-a-year-to-really-learn-the-am_2743669.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d4b/helen-reddy-12741_hell_it-took-me-a-year-to-really-learn-the-am_2743669.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d4b/helen-reddy-12741_hell_it-took-me-a-year-to-really-learn-the-am_2743669.jpg) > “It took me a year to really learn the American lingo. I really feel for people who are coming here and don't speak English at all. It must be hell.” [Helen Reddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-reddy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Learning a new language is essential for immigrants; it eases integration and reduces suffering. **In simple terms:** Language learning eases immigrant life. Key Takeaway Learn the local language quickly. Themes immigration language integration Mood empathetic hopeful Type motivational practical When to use this quote - newcomer support - language classes - community programs Key Concepts cultural adaptation social inclusion Questions to Reflect On - How can societies better support language learners? - What resources aid rapid language acquisition? A Different Perspective Language barriers persist despite effort. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Hell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hell/) [Lingo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lingo/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) ## Related quotes > [I had to learn American sign language. And I did stuff in it, stuff that was just for me and was fun, that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-lowe/i-had-to-learn-american-sign-language-and-i-did-stuff-in-it-stuff/) [Rob Lowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-lowe/) > [It's hard to learn an American accent. Some of the Rs at the ends of words are incredibly hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-mcteer/it-s-hard-to-learn-an-american-accent-some-of-the-rs-at-the-ends-of/) [Janet McTeer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-mcteer/) > [I believe if you want to convey a complex philosophy, its advisable to keep it simple: day-to-day lingo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amish-tripathi/i-believe-if-you-want-to-convey-a-complex-philosophy-its-advisable-to/) [Amish Tripathi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amish-tripathi/) > [“In many a case, the phrase ‘I’d like to get to know you better’ is a euphemism for ‘I want us to fuck.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/in-many-a-case-the-phrase-i-d-like-to-get-to-know-you-better-is-a/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [If I have a bunch of computer lingo that I have no idea what I'm speaking about, I really need to know what I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chloe-bennet/if-i-have-a-bunch-of-computer-lingo-that-i-have-no-idea-what-i-m/) [Chloe Bennet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chloe-bennet/) > [I have an old soul. I don't know any real-life lingo, so I have to take it from movies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-lawrence/i-have-an-old-soul-i-don-t-know-any-real-life-lingo-so-i-have-to-take/) [Jennifer Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-lawrence/) > [“Yeah, baby, learn Git lingo and impress your date!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravishankar-somasundaram/yeah-baby-learn-git-lingo-and-impress-your-date/) Ravishankar Somasundaram > [“Every world has its distinct lingo, you gotta catch the right chord. Same language evokes different feelings, based on time and age of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/every-world-has-its-distinct-lingo-you-gotta-catch-the-right-chord/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [“He’s more a shape in a drape than a hep cat”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-sheridan/he-s-more-a-shape-in-a-drape-than-a-hep-cat/) [Sara Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-sheridan/) > [I got a song called 'Bicking Back Being Bool.' That's our lingo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yg/i-got-a-song-called-bicking-back-being-bool-that-s-our-lingo/) YG > [Can you keep up with the lingo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-gates/can-you-keep-up-with-the-lingo/) [Kevin Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-gates/) > [I believe if you want to convey a complex philosophy, it's advisable to keep it simple: day-to-day lingo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amish-tripathi/i-believe-if-you-want-to-convey-a-complex-philosophy-it-s-advisable/) [Amish Tripathi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amish-tripathi/) > [With 'Agent Vinod', there was a lot of chaos with schedules and the film took a year and a half to shoot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sriram-raghavan/with-agent-vinod-there-was-a-lot-of-chaos-with-schedules-and-the-film/) [Sriram Raghavan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sriram-raghavan/) > [I took about a year to fully adjust. Like there's a death at the family or a divorce, you don't just snap your fingers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-barker/i-took-about-a-year-to-fully-adjust-like-there-s-a-death-at-the/) [Dan Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-barker/) > [The songs started as a soundscapes, and then came the words and music; each song took at least a year to make.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-vernon/the-songs-started-as-a-soundscapes-and-then-came-the-words-and-music/) [Justin Vernon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-vernon/) ## More by Helen Reddy > [I've been in a serious conversation with one of my children, and a fan has come up. I've been in a public bathroom and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-reddy/i-ve-been-in-a-serious-conversation-with-one-of-my-children-and-a-fan/) [Helen Reddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-reddy/) > [A lot of women are turned off by the physical appearance of some of the first feminists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-reddy/a-lot-of-women-are-turned-off-by-the-physical-appearance-of-some-of/) [Helen Reddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-reddy/) > [I'm still an embryo with a long long way to go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-reddy/i-m-still-an-embryo-with-a-long-long-way-to-go/) [Helen Reddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-reddy/) > [You're not going to find a man whose socks don't get dirty or who doesn't snore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-reddy/you-re-not-going-to-find-a-man-whose-socks-don-t-get-dirty-or-who/) [Helen Reddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-reddy/) > [Depression, as far as I'm concerned, is just a waste of time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-reddy/depression-as-far-as-i-m-concerned-is-just-a-waste-of-time/) [Helen Reddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-reddy/) > [Please don't ask me any questions about the politics of 30 years ago.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-reddy/please-don-t-ask-me-any-questions-about-the-politics-of-30-years-ago/) [Helen Reddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-reddy/) > [I don't know if it's a sign of all the chaos that is happening out there or not, but I've lately craved the structure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-reddy/i-don-t-know-if-it-s-a-sign-of-all-the-chaos-that-is-happening-out/) [Helen Reddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-reddy/) > [Sometimes it seems like you and me against the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-reddy/sometimes-it-seems-like-you-and-me-against-the-world/) [Helen Reddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-reddy/) > [I think that two people who decide to live together in a marriage situation, they have an obligation to make the marriage work for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-reddy/i-think-that-two-people-who-decide-to-live-together-in-a-marriage/) [Helen Reddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-reddy/) > [I am strong, I am invincible, I am woman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-reddy/i-am-strong-i-am-invincible-i-am-woman/) [Helen Reddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-reddy/) > [I wanted control over the merchandising, the actual packaging of the product. That was a big factor. The only way for me to exercise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-reddy/i-wanted-control-over-the-merchandising-the-actual-packaging-of-the/) [Helen Reddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-reddy/) > [Women temper men. We have a good influence on them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-reddy/women-temper-men-we-have-a-good-influence-on-them/) [Helen Reddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-reddy/) > [I think back and marvel that my ambitions were so small.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-reddy/i-think-back-and-marvel-that-my-ambitions-were-so-small/) [Helen Reddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-reddy/) > [There is a wealth of twentieth century music that is being re-discovered by a generation that hasnt heard it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-reddy/there-is-a-wealth-of-twentieth-century-music-that-is-being-re/) [Helen Reddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-reddy/) > [In the '50s, a lot of girls never saw beyond the wedding day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-reddy/in-the-50s-a-lot-of-girls-never-saw-beyond-the-wedding-day/) [Helen Reddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-reddy/) [Explore all 53 Helen Reddy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-reddy/) ## More Hell quotes > [Most of us are convinced that we are our egos, which is who we think we are. The ego is part of our incarnation.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/most-of-us-are-convinced-that-we-are-our-egos-which-is-who-we-think/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [Some people give you that motivation to work harder simply to get the hell away from wherever they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dane-cook/some-people-give-you-that-motivation-to-work-harder-simply-to-get-the/) [Dane Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dane-cook/) > [“God hates Hell. He hates the idea of people going there. He hates it so much that He was willing to take on human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-minton/god-hates-hell-he-hates-the-idea-of-people-going-there-he-hates-it-so/) [Evan Minton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-minton/) > [“Hell is only loneliness, a place without play for the soul, a place without God. How could there be God in loneliness when God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-thayer-hamann/hell-is-only-loneliness-a-place-without-play-for-the-soul-a-place/) [Hilary Thayer Hamann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-thayer-hamann/) > [Just when I thought that I was gtting better, boy was I wrong.. Things just turned to hell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cupecake/just-when-i-thought-that-i-was-gtting-better-boy-was-i-wrong-things/) Cupecake > [I believe that on any trip to heaven, there are always detours through hell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-finney/i-believe-that-on-any-trip-to-heaven-there-are-always-detours-through/) [Richard Finney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-finney/) > [Every saved person this side of heaven owes the gospel to every lost person this side of hell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-platt/every-saved-person-this-side-of-heaven-owes-the-gospel-to-every-lost/) [David Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-platt/) > [I'm what is known as gradually disintegrating. I don't fear the next world, or anything. I don't fear hell, and I don't look forward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katharine-hepburn/i-m-what-is-known-as-gradually-disintegrating-i-don-t-fear-the-next/) [Katharine Hepburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katharine-hepburn/) > [Hey...Hey...What's up?. Nothing much, you? Nothing. K!..What the hell was the point of this communication?...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/hey-hey-what-s-up-nothing-much-you-nothing-k-what-the-hell-was-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [ Except in these latter-day songs, \[Bob\] Dylan is a grizzled old prophet who's already been to hell and back. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-michaelson/except-in-these-latter-day-songs-bob-dylan-is-a-grizzled-old-prophet/) [Jay Michaelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-michaelson/) > [...it was a huge creature, luminous, ghastly, and spectral. I have cross-examined these men, one of them a hard-headed countryman, one a farrier, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/it-was-a-huge-creature-luminous-ghastly-and-spectral-i-have-cross/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [“ALAS, IF ALL HUMANS WERE WISE AND HAD MORE GOOD WILL THE WORLD WOULD BE A PARADISE NOW IT IS MOSTLY A HELL”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irvin-d-yalom/alas-if-all-humans-were-wise-and-had-more-good-will-the-world-would/) [Irvin D. Yalom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irvin-d-yalom/) > [There's little in taking or giving, There's little in water or wine: This living, this living, this living, Was never a project of mine.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-parker/there-s-little-in-taking-or-giving-there-s-little-in-water-or-wine/) [Dorothy Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-parker/) > [It is through suppression that hells are formed in us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-glaspell/it-is-through-suppression-that-hells-are-formed-in-us/) [Susan Glaspell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-glaspell/) > [Beware of self-indulgence. The romance surrounding the writing profession carries several myths: that one must suffer in order to be creative; that one must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brin/beware-of-self-indulgence-the-romance-surrounding-the-writing/) [David Brin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brin/) [Browse all 8,212 Hell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hell/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It took me a year to really learn the American lingo. I really feel for people who are coming here and don't speak English at all. 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