Saholy

Here in Madagascar, rap is becoming very popular. Here is an example of one of the popular artists: Saboodak. The name of the song is Lafo Be which means, 'too expensive'. Micheal Jackson once said in a magazine article interview (I think it was Ebony magazine), that he didn't feel rap music would last because you need to create songs that even the washer woman in some small European town can hum along to, and she wouldn't be able to do that with a rap song. What I have found interesting over the course of the last decade is that rap artists have had a large impact on the style and dress of local entertainers due largely to music videos. But rap music can now be found in countries with even a very small population of speakers in their own languages. Although I am not a fan of the usual aggressive sounding nature of rap music, I must agree that it seems to be a more creative form of expression much like poetry than I gave it credit for in years past.

Yeah, I had an interesting situation happen the other day that is related. There is a local dialect where I live and since we moved to this part of the country a year ago, we have begun to try and incorporate some of the words when we can. The official language is understood by most but many locals when speaking to one another use this rich dialect to communicate. There are 3 different parts of this tribe who all say things slightly differently: north, central and southern. The other day I tried to incorporate how something is said in the north and everyone (mostly central present) laughed hysterically. I didn't understand why and someone explained that they are illiterate and that is the incorrect way to say it. The proper way of course, in their opinion is the way THEY say it. Which is ridiculous, because the language has almost no known written form! So no one can say which fraction of the tribe speaks it correctly or incorrectly. But this explained something to me, when I inquire how to say something, many try to teach me the official language almost as if they are embarrassed. I think they have been made to feel that their dialect is the language of 'illiterate people' and those who are educated in the official language are some how more worthy of imitation. This is very inaccurate in my opinion. But now it has made me realize that by trying to incorporate their language words into what I know, I might be embarrassing them in front of others as if they have taught me the wrong way. I'm not sure how to deal with this situation. But it proves your point, making fun of someone can really stunt progress, especially in langauge development.

I have had people say that and I usually reply that I 'just like to talk a lot and that I'm not embarrassed to humiliate myself on a regular basis so it makes it look like I'm comfortable, and therefore to a quick eye fluent. But that I still have a long way to go.' What I hate is when my language skill is compared to my husbands. He is quiet by nature and a good listener. But people will say right in front of him, 'You are good in the language but he is not'. This must hurt his feelings and it has made me begin to not speak as much when we are together in public. I want him to have a chance to be heard. Its not fair to compare people's language skills in that way. He is incredible in so many other facets of culture, language and communication that it really makes me want to scream. But I know people are trying to give me a compliment.

This is a great idea for a thread! One of the things that I have always feared is loosing the skill I have in one language through lack of time and use. For example, years ago I was trying to learn Spanish and beginning to show some signs of progress. But due to geographical location, I had little chance to practice. Now if I meet someone who knows Spanish I can barely get out the most basic phrases. So my bucket list is to somehow have my learned languages fixed in my mind so that I can retrieve it anytime I want. Since this is a bucket list I will even put Spanish on it. Then basically, its all the language listed in my profile. This subject has me very interested in Polyglots. They seem to be able to leap in and out of different language with the greatest of ease. That is definitely bucket list worthy.

I'm having trouble scrolling down. Its probably my lack of excel skills or whatever program you used. I love the idea. I don't have a lot though I know of yet in Malagasy but I'm sure there are some proverbs that would fit. I'm going to use this as an activity when I'm with my native speaking friends.

Recently, in a post discussing Polyglots, I came across some articles discussing the Broca's area of the brain. This is the frontal area of the brain which is felt by some to be the main area for language learning. There are some who dispute this but the articles were diverse enough to get me to thinking about how one might be able to build up this part of the brain and thus make it stronger for language learning. I have heard that herbal supplements like Ginkgo Bilboa can aid in learning. (For those with blood circulation disorders, it could be dangerous so always get a Doctors approval before taking any medicine or supplement.) I will attach a photo of the tree which is not related to the Evergreen tree but looks a lot like it to me and the fragrance of that tree can help with memory recollection so I wonder if there is some value in the scent of this tree as well but I have never smelled it or seen one. I have only seen the pill form. Apparently in China you can serve the boiled nut with coconut as a dessert. Do you have any specific vitamins or herbal supplements you use? Are there any things you have found that are 'brain food' or the like?

This was possibly one of the most interesting article I have read in this forum so far! If the administrators see this message I hope they will permanently post it somewhere for others to reference in the future without having to search for it here in this post. I'm going to also download some of the other materials it quoted. What was very interesting to me is the 'Cultural Chameleon' theory and how the actor Harris gave his experience in how this worked for him. I'm re-investigating language learning techniques so as to get to the next level of my language learning. This post proved to be an answer to a prayer!

This is a very true statement. I don't think I appreciated how patient everyone was being with me until I became fluent in my target language and then had to try and teach others who had came. Sometimes I cringe as I hear the mistakes and its very hard to pick and choose which things to correct because there are so many mistakes you could comment on! But for fear of discouragement you try to choose things that they are ready to put into application at that point in time and that will motivate them to feel their progress so that they will continue. My main language teacher was patient but also had a very high expectation for us that if it was not met left a feeling of utter failure. For me, this helped push me forward but for my husband, I think it hindered him and 7 years later he is still feeling that his language skills are not where they should be. He is giving up on continuing to improve but this is something everyone must have the patience to do: continue learning the language no matter how many years you've been at it.

These are some great responses thanks! To answer @czarina84's question, my problem is that since I am a language learner myself and thus don't consider myself the best choice for teaching a native speaker how to read and write, I am nervous I will give her my accent, poor grammar, etc. That being said, I'm the only one at the moment that can help her so something is better than nothing right? I'm going to incorporate some of the great tips people above have given (thanks for the personal greetings as well darkchild). One thing in addition to these that I have tried to do is invite guests to sit in on our sessions. Native speaker guests. This has been interesting for me because where I live has a mix of people from all over the country. I was finding that they were pronouncing the alphabet a little bit different depending on which part of the country they came from. So two weeks ago I invited a native speaker who speaks the 'official' dialect to speak the alphabet into my phone so that each week we will have one standard of reciting the alphabet. This also happens to be her original language even though she has recently moved into an area that speaks a different yet very similar dialect.

Do you either have a You Tube Chanel you like for learning your target language? Or do you yourself contribute to a Channel in your target language? Both are great ways to improve upon the language. I personally do not have my own channel but there are several people I like to watch. My favorite for French is Learning with Alexa: (but there are others who don't have as professional of a set up that are also good. If there is not any in your target language, then you could start your own Channel for free and this would be a great way to meet other speakers and even get help critiquing your language skills. Always 'welcome' comments in the end.

If people think I'm a tourist, they are blown away. So whenever I need a pick me up confidence wise I go hang out with people who don't know me. I have successfully been able to relocate within my present country and despite a change in local dialect, I am clearly understood and can understand about 80% of the time. It has taken me almost 7 years to get to this point. That being said, I still have a long way to go. There are daily things I miss and have to question, write down, look up, and do like research on. But that's the fun of language learning. It never gets boring. You will always keep learning and updating your craft. It is an art and therefore will have its maddening moments. But these moments may lead to your most creative expressions.

What language should I learn? From everyone else's posts it seems I should actually put the name of the language I think would be easiest. But what I want to write is that I would go with the language that can be put into practical application as you are learning it. For example, if you live in an area with a high number of speakers of a possible target language, then that language would be easier for you to learn because you will be able to practice it. Practice is key and it is very hard to do if you have no one around you who speaks that language. With internet there are many new ways to communicate with people in other languages. But this too is in a setting that limits the amount of every day practical speech that will be used. In a Skype setting, you are more likely to go through the typical exercises found in most book work. These are very helpful. But in everyday practice, like grocery shopping, walking though a park, or working, you will progress quicker in your comprehension. And when we can begin to comprehend, it becomes easier. So in my long winded opinion, THAT would be the easiest language for you to learn.

Okay, I'm embarrassed to admit, I had no idea who Benny is so all these posts made me go look up his website and the Skype youtube clip 'Skype me Maybe' is sort of hilarious. He is a native English speaker but his accent is so strong you need to read the subtitles to understand him even if you are a native English speaker! Sounds like a subject for another thread. In which accent should I learn my target language? ha! I've loved reading all these posts about loving language! ;-)

Yesterday I wanted to tell someone I was washing my hair (Avy mandro ny voloko) But instead I said, 'I'm cooking my money.' (Avy mahandro ny volako.) The person just stared at me like I was crazy and walked away. It wasn't until later that I realized what I said. Thats the hardest part, the delayed response my brain has to recognizing error. I have also meant to introduce my husband by saying, 'Hello this is my husband (Vadiko)' but instead I would say, 'Hello this is your husband' (Vadinao) I have that one down now. So I guess these funny experiences help us keep our sense of humor which is also very important for language learning. Great idea for a post! I hope we get more like this.

That makes sense in theory. But many of us learned a new language because we were forced to. And so it is hard to love that language when it feels like it is trying to humiliate you in your error at every possible turn. That being said, I think you are right! We must learn to love the language and see the beauty in it. I find that music, proverbs, and things that use idiomatic expression help me to see the beauty of the language. Also, if the language has root meanings, then by learning how the language was built, it makes more sense and easier to learn. I am interested in history so the history behind the words is also interesting to me and makes me like my target language more.