GearZ

The advances made in computer translations are absolutely amazing compared to yesteryear.  But will it ever completely replace learning another language?  No.  I'm not convinced a machine can ever get the nuisances completely right.  And learning language isn't completely utilitarian, it is enriching in its own right.  Still, it is an interesting topic and I am fascinated by what the world of technology will come up with next.

Yes, I have with French.  I am a native English speaker and have a good knowledge of German.  I thought I would try French, but I lost interest fairly quickly and let it go.  I don't regret it as I focused on other things.

I would have to say Koine Greek.  It is the language the New Testament was written in and said text has had a profound impact on western civilization.  It also would make a good springboard to other languages.

Thank you for the links and resources.  Out of curiosity, how active is the Esperanto movement these days?  It was very much so decades ago, but I am not sure about now.  Thanks much.

Hello.  My daughter is just over three years old and we've started to teach her Spanish words.  We've also given her some toys that say the English word and then the Spanish word.  I've read that starting children very young on language learning is the way to do it.  If there is any other parents who have done so, I would be very glad to "compare notes" and hear any tips.  Thank you.

Though I am a bit rusty now, I found learning German pretty easy back in the day.  The rules of the language are logical and it is not to far from English.

I'm finding Spanish more difficult to grasp.  I don't know if it is because it is a Romance language, if I'm getting older, or both.  :confused:

Hello all.  I am curious how many here have lived and worked in a country other than the one of your origin. 

Where did you live?  How did it go? What were some of the struggles you encountered?

Thanks much.

I am told my first word was "lights" (in reference to a lightbulb or other lights source), though I pronounced it "aightz".  Not far from my childhood home was a massive industrial complex that at night had thousands of lights on it.  Apparently, I found the sight rather impressive, so "aightz" were repeated nonstop. 

I have not used this technique myself, but I have a good friend who is Hungarian who told me this helped him greatly in learning English.  His English is quite good these days, so I think there is something to it.  I still help him with some of the idioms, but he's well on his way to fluency.

Wash IS pronounced warsh in the Midwest. However, if you say warsh in the South, they will look at you like you have lost your mind.

That pronunciation ("warsh") also turns up in the Pacific Northwest too, though it always hits my ear wrong.

A common (mis)pronunciation you'll find in the PNW is "fir" for "for" and I admit to using that one without thinking about it.

Well, I think your motivations to learn spanish are really good! I think it's really nice of you to try to reconnect with your spaniard roots.  It's also great you're doing this to help your business... there is nothing better than actually knowing what's actually going on, even if you are using a translator to help you.  So, what's your current spanish level?  Are you taking a class or are you doing this mostly alone?

Alas, my Spanish skills at the present are pretty rudimentary.  I have a book on the subject as well as a number of apps as study guides, but I would really like to take a formal class.  The one at the local college is not at a time when I can attend, so I have been looking for a good online course instead.

There are three big reasons I want to learn Spanish;  one is sentimental, one for practical purposes, and the last a little of both.

The sentimental one is my father's side of the family is from Spain.  I would love to learn the language and visit family we have back in the home country as well as some that moved to Argentina.

The practical reason is I have business contacts in Puerto Rico and, to a lesser extent, Latin America.  It would help knowing more of the language, even if I still needed a translator to conduct business.

The little bit of both is that I would like my daughter to be able to learn the language as she grows up.

It varies a little bit depending on the OS and device you are on.  Which operating system are you using?

Yes, I am a native speaker, and studied Shakespeare in middle school, high school, and in the college years.  While I, generally, liked the classics, I never was a huge fan of the Bard of Avon.

Hearing English spoken with a slight Spanish accent is pleasant to my ears.  Some Southern accents are pleasant, depending on the region.

Kind of a funny side story:  I have a cousin from Australia and she, naturally, has an Australian accent. I am from the the rural Pacific Northwest and we really don't have much in the way of an accent and few regional language distinctions.  I asked her one time what we sounded like to her and she said something like "very plain, simple, almost robotic."  I'm not sure if we sound that way to everyone, but who knows. 

Hello all.  As mentioned elsewhere, one of my goals is to learn Spanish. I am curious if anyone has transitioned to learning Catalan after mastering Spanish.

Was it a help or a hindrance in doing so?  Thanks for any information.

All three are Romance languages, but in my limited experience in studying French, it is very different than the other two.

One of my all time favourites is 'poppycock' which means 'nonsense' - "What a load of poppycock" He said. It is not the sound of that word that makes me laugh as such, it is just the ridiculousness of it.

LOL!  Another one in that vein is "flapdoodle."  It means "nonsense" and always makes me chuckle.  :wacky:

Most of the main ones have been mentioned, but I'd add:

Bombed.

Four sheets to the wind.

Embalmed.

Comeuppance has always sounded really odd to me.

One that doesn't so much sound funny to the ear but still is an oddball is Allegator.  Its a legal term meaning in someone who alleges something.  Not to be confused with an Alligator, which is large, toothy reptile. 

Great thread.  A few favorites come to mind ...

"An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest."—Benjamin Franklin

"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro."—Hunter S. Thompson

"There ain't no such thing as a free lunch" — Robert Heinlein

"Love bears it out even to the edge of doom."—William Shakespeare

"The glow of one warm thought is to me worth more than money."—Thomas Jefferson

"When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on."—Franklin D. Roosevelt

"Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential."—Winston Churchill

"Never take counsel of your fears."—Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson

"Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none."—William Shakespeare

I too have been interested in this package, but the reviews I've read online have been truly all over the board;  ranging from its great to abysmal.  I think I will try to find other resources before taking the plunge, but its still an option.

Hello all.  My first child was born last month and my we've been discussing how and when to start teaching her languages.  Specifically, our plan is to teach her Spanish and German.  I've read that young children can pick up a language more easily than an adult, so we have a good opportunity to help her get started.

So, to parents or teachers, when did you start introducing younger children to a non-native language?  How did you integrate this instruction in day-to-day life?  Any tools or tips we should know about?  Any pitfalls to avoid?

Any thoughts would be great.  Thanks much.

Honestly, I haven't found that German sounds rough or harsh.  At least not across the board.  I've heard my wife sing quietly in German many times and it is a very soft and beautiful sound.

There actually was several reasons why I studied German.  Part of it was to get a better grasp of the language and culture behind some of the great literature of that part of the world.  Also, my spouse is also ethnically German and both her and her parents speak the language.  Finally, I have found knowing a bit of it helpful in the business world.  I've had to interface with people from Austria and the knowledge helped with the interaction.