justusforus

I think I have to side with Trellum on this one.  It seems any of these mixes would dilute the base languages.  How does it work to be used consistently?  I would think that the combinations would lead to a looser style and maybe form variations outside of those intended.  Maybe I am a purist, but I agree it doesn't appeal to me.

Bravo!  Labeling your body parts is a new one on me and it made me laugh.  I do believe in visual reinforcement (like labels or the stickies) but it seems you took it to a new level.  I am sure you did learn the words well.

I would love to speak Elvish or the Black Language from Lord of The Rings, it sounds so visceral and guttural, I could curse people in it and everyone would bow down to me  :devil:

I hate to admit I had never watched any of the Hobbit until this weekend on a cable station.  I had the captions on and it identified the "elvish" and "black" language.  I did find the guttural quality you talked about but I did see it fit in the storyline.

For one year in high school i took an Italian classes because i already knew Spanish. One of the primary teaching methods was showing movies in Italian and taking notes on the speech patterns. I found it extremely helpful watching movies that i've already seen in English in Italian. We watched Shrek and a few others.

That sounds like a great idea to see movies that you have already seen.  I have watched foreign language films but never thought of that aspect.  I think overall watching movies is a good and entertaining way to learn.

I know those who do pre-judge based on an accent and there are times I have asked "how many languages do you speak?".  Often times this will quiet them down when they realize the person they are judging knows more than they do.  Actually, I find most accents intriguing and many people find accents charming.

I too was really interested by this post and this is the first time I have heard the distinction in translations.  I am in the legal field and never really thought about the issue having used certified translators.  I can see the idea of "true to word" since the translator is not "interpreting" what the person said, but I also can understand "true to meaning" especially if the literal translation does not convey the "sense" of what the speaker was saying.  It is interesting since testimony is so important, that any changing of the actual testimony, so to speak, would be an alteration and somewhat in the control of a third party.  Fascinating question and answers above.

My next goal is to learn Italian.  I regret not learning it growing up, but it is clearly a goal of mine.  I have not traveled to Europe, but it is definately something I plan to do and Italy is a destination for me.  I so want to be somewhat fluent before I arrive and it has always been on the horizon for me.

I think music is part of the "immersion" you can do (along with reading, movies, etc.) to help you become more familiar and comfortable with a language.  When I was in the northeast, I watched Canadian tv which had songs and shows in French and now I live in the southwest, I watch Mexican channels and do think it helps with Spanish.  I would love to learn Italian and I am an opera fan and I would think this would help with picking up the language.

Thank you for sharing this story.  I too applaud this as both important from an inspirational standpoint as to anyone who undertakes this type of work and from a cultural standpoint to ensure the preservation of languages for future generations.  Great to see those who devote themselves to such worthy pursuits.

I agree with many of the responses above.  It seems like English is utilized in many countries and in many international transactions.  So I would guess it is in the top tier.  I would also agree it is common as a second language.  As to speakers per se, I think you would have to look at the most populated countries and their native language.  I tried to find a specific answer but it seems English and Chinese are the most frequently mentioned.

This is the context I was taught about using exclamation marks.

Also agree that sales copy has abused of them in a call to action attempt, but used wisely, exclamation marks can empower a sentence or simply differentiate one concept from another.

I too thought of words of surprise like "Oh!" when I was reading this.  I am glad because I really didn't think about the "action part" of so many uses.  As to advertising, I always see words like "wow" "save" and "great deals" often followed by exclamation points and do agree they are rather overused.

I have always heard the best way to write anything is conversationally.  So I would not characterize it as simple, but more so think about how you would say it.  Whether native or non native speakers I think anyone who thinks about improving their vocabulary and uses a dictionary or a thesaurus is learning and that is not a bad thing.  I do agree that to use words that are awkward for either the writer or the reader does not lend to a conversational style or even the most pleasant read.

I agree that although I have not tried the app, it sounds interesting.  Overall I think many are fascinated by games of logic.  Testing oneself to find the common denominator sounds like a game that would be appealing.  Even as a native speaker, I can envision it could be challenging, and it seems those that have responded would find it interesting to play alone or with friends.

I believe poetry is quite artistic.  Like anything else though and taking into account the broad spectrum of forms, I think there is an audience for most.  Sort of like beauty is in the eye of the beholder, certain forms of poetry can reach different audiences on a visceral level.  I think if you are open and  will experience many forms, you will find the art in one that appeals to you.

I don't think you can distinguish between a standardized mode of communication and a languange.  Birds fly in formation and somehow communicate to others in the flock.  If you think about bees and their ability to fashion complex honeycombs in unison with others, there seems that there must be a way they communicate with their coworkers and the Queen for that matter.  Some of the higher primates and dolphins have been shown to have intellect to effectuate some higher forms of communication so I think its entirely plausible to label it as a form of language.

I agree that "couldn't" care less is gramatically correct and makes more sense.  I do, now that you mention it, think many people do use "could care less" rather frequently.  Thanks for pointing this out since I think phrases like this are easy to get "immune" to in an incorrect form, just to the frequency we hear them and the fact it sort of is a response we tend to expect in certain circumstances.  For example, if you tell someone "I hate to tell you but I saw Bob is dating again..." you can almost expect some form of this phrase.

I never realized the "cake" evoked so much though until I read this.  Guess I took it for granted and never really thought about it.

When I was younger slang for approaching a person or flirting was "hitting on".  I remember hearing my older siblings saying so and so was "hitting on" some other person.  My thought then was that they were literally assaulting a person and I remember being embarassed when I learned what it meant.

I have been a speaker or trainer in most of my adult work life.  Since this has all been in my native tongue, I am very comfortable and have no "stage fright" ever.  Now take the same scenario in a second tongue and I do get tense.  I guess it is the lack of comfort or not being competely sure of my tone or accent, I am more self conscious.

I do not think if you were any way proficient, you will lose a language totally.  Like anything else though, without practice I am sure you would forget some words and would not be as proficient at speaking or writing.  I would try to keep in practice, by either books, movies or interacting though to stay in shape.

I have never heard of this type of agreement.  It seems from the comments though maybe there was not enough public input or comment prior to it being instituted.  I assume if it is done to standardize for trade or maybe something like signage, it may be a good idea.  However, I do believe the people affected should have been fully apprised and public hearings had on it before doing anything that affects so many.

I do not struggle with them but I see them used incorrectly all the time.  I think many rely on spell check and don't proof their work and an improper usage will not be picked up.  Another reason haste makes waste.

Whether it is friends or business, I tend to use correct grammar, spelling and punctuation.  I equate it with being respectful in communicating and not implying I am too busy or hurried to bother with the communication.  I also think it is too easy to fall into bad habits so why not write properly?

I find that there are so many misunderstandings with text messages, I constantly try to write without abbreviations or short cuts.  Still seems that text messages can be misinterpreted.  I would rather leave a voice message so they can hear the tone and inflection of the words...very little questions that way.  It seems though the world is in a hurry and wants to text rather than talk, or listen.

I really don't mind if people abbreviate English words, it doesn't really sound odd or "cutesy" to me. But I think that if a 70 year old person would start saying that he or she is "more comfy in pajamas" then I would find that to be very funny, since it doesn't suit their age.

  You would really probably never accept them saying "more comfy in pjs" then.  My biggest pet peeve is when people call their designer shoes or bags by a cutesy shortened form of the name.  I knew one who called her bag "Louie" for her Louis Vitton purse.  I think it is being more pretentious than out of a savings of time.

If I read or hear a word I am not familiar with I always stop, look it up and see the derivation of the word (whether from Latin, French or other) and then try and use it in a sentence.  If I am not sure of the word or meaning, I look it up anyway.  I continue to learn this way and expand my vocabulary and often learn something else interesting along the way (like the history of the word or usage).