justusforus

I think children are like sponges and we should take advantage of any early education where a child has a desire to learn.  I remember as a grade school child picking up my siblings high school latin books.  I was so taken by not only the language but also the refences to mythology that it was something I really wanted to read.  I "graduated" at a young age to a love of Greek and Roman mythology and the arts and I believe this had to be a youthful innocence and curiosity.

I learned initially, Latin, in a classroom setting.  Since that time I am currently learning in a more "self study" mode.  I think many are taking advantage of the CDs and online learning due to using commute time or our close relation to the computer more these days.

I think the reaction would have been different if this question would have been followed by a qualifier of some sort such as "...to learn as a second language" or "...for your resume or job search", etc. and not seemingly a question of "superiority".  As a native English Speaker I would never say it is best or better than any other language unless there was a purpose attached.  With for example, China doing so much manufacturing is it the best (...for a global manufacturing market?).  I think the fact that Spanish is becoming more prevalent in the US is based on shifting demographics not that it is "better" than French.

I actually enjoy accents in speaking the English language (like tomato, potato, etc.) and I love hearing the Canadiens say "about" in there own wonderful way.  Some of the "pronunciations" rather than calling it an accent amongst Americans can make me batty though.  When I moved to Southern California I met "natives" who pronounce "wash the dishes as WARSH the dishes".  There is no R in wash and that makes me nuts.  INsurance is another that I could say is an accent versus a pronunciation, but that is just one example.

I think passive learning can be a base for learning a language but I think as pointed out above you must be more proactive.  Learning a few words is different than being proficient which I believe would include interaction and practice.  I have been around many languages and I know a few "need to know" phrases but I am not fully attentive if I am not "engaged".

I am a fast reader who reads a lot for work and pleasure.  I am told I talk fast unless I am putting on a presentation.  If I had to read out loud, I think it would actually slow me down and be uncomfortable.  That contrasts though with I am very fluent and conversant "off the cuff" but scripted I am not used to.

Although some slang is whimsical, descriptive and sometime outright funny, I think it does not lend to the workplace and it may impede a person's progress within a company.  The other  problem is one some slang becomes too universal (like "ain't") I think children and others may just pick it up without question.  I think there is a place for slang, but particularly a time and a place.

I think Italian and French, if said at a normal decible is quite sexy.  I have to laugh when I think of the fiat commercial where the nerdy guy is looking at the tall women (who turn out to be the Fiat Abarth).  When she grabs him and start in on him,  he is mesmorized, although I think her delivery was quite harsh.  You have to love the commercial though!

I think you can compare comedy to our discussions here on idioms.  The "humor" or nuance, the inflection and even slang or grammar can make it hard for a not native speaker to "get it".  A closer example I think may be British and American humor in the same language (essentially).  Although I know some Americans who love British comedy, I have heard many who just can't relate.

I like the multi cultural and diverse flair all those medals add...just like our community.  I always liked the graphics on this site and the badges just add more.  Thanks for thinking of a recognition for us.  We love to post anyway but it is nice to get the badges.

Laura beat me to it, but I saw the "British" spellings on Canadian TV when I lived in Michigan.  In those antenna days we picked up the Canadian Broadcasting Company and I learned to see theater as theatre and the "colour and flavour" used in coffee and tea commercials.  As a youngster, I called it "fancy English" and loved watching the Canadian station not only for the shows but the commercials to learn even more new words.

Welcome British Guy.  Hope you like it here.  As an American I have so enjoyed the threads that compare "British English" to our Americanized English.  Enjoy!

The idea of text is to save time.  I hate it when they use short cuts at all much less ones made up on the fly...I spend more time trying to figure out what a "quick" text means than it is worth.  It really is frustrating and one of my biggest pet peeves.

I guess we all feel a bit self conscious when we think we are not as proficient as others in just about anything.  I would never make fun of a person's "accent" since I respect anyone trying to learn a second (or third...) language.

Know that you feelings are normal, but don't let that stop you from getting out there. Practicing and interacting is what will make you more proficient and fluent. 

I think this question deals with "self study" meaning tapes, online or books versus classroom study.  As to anyone who really is motivated to learn, local libraries have books (yes we forget about them) as well as many have tapes for check out.

So if you are short on funds and do not  necessarily want to do self study, check out the local community colleges and extension courses.

As to self study, sure the fancier computer online courses will be expensive.  You can shop the online for value, also look into getting used CDs or yes videotapes or cassettes if you can save a few bucks.  Many of these older formats are out there..some for minimal amounts or even free.  Then decide what works best for you.

I have had dreams where people were speaking in many languages, including my second.  The problem was although I could understand everyone (even other languages I do not study) no one else could seem to understand.  Perhaps it was more of a nightmare, since all chaos ensued, but I did wake before anything went awry.

Looking at both examples, my challenge would be how to even venture to guess the correct pronunciation.  Even with a vowel, you still have to decide a hard or a soft pronunciation, but with none at all it seems like driving with no lines on the road.  You have gotten me curious enough that I too will check online  to try and hear those words produced.

I would have said Russian as well.  It seems it is harsh sounding and I am not sure what the emotion is behind it.  It seems it all has this very harsh sound and then my friend will laugh, even though it sounded so angry.  As to the cursive above, I never even saw that before.  I agree, it would make cry to try and decipher any of that.

So many great poets have already been mentioned.  I like poetry that tells a story both within, but also outside of the words used.  I have read poetry that is dark, but it leaves so much outside of the written word, it makes me think.  I have read these from just regular people who have posted on their blogs and the raw emotion just screams that they have a story to tell.

I think learning anything new is exciting.  For me personally, learning a new language will be great for some trips I have planned and I know it will help with my business.  It makes clients feel more comfortable if you are proficient in there language as well.  I am also learning with a friend and that makes it all the more enjoyable.

I live in southern California.  This never happened to me, but sort of the reverse.  I have dark hair and am of Mediterranean descent and over and over people came up and started speaking Spanish to me.  So I think people do make assumptions based on appearance.

I went to public school and we had to take a foreign language.  Although I appreciated it and found it useful, I think at the college level people should decide their own curriculum.

Within a day of seeing this thread and responding, I saw an episode of "The Big Bang Theory" where Sheldon said something to some guys at another booth.  One of them asked "Did he just ask..in Klingon"?...I had to burst out laughing, since I said I had not heard Klingon and would have to look up some old episodes.

I always have phone calls for work so I would say the longest was two days.  The only exception to that was when I got really ill and lost my voice for nearly 5 days.  That was really tough being ill and not being able to communicate verbally.

I think that would be quite a challenge.  I live in the US but when I moved from the midwest to the southwest, I realized that so many people were bilingual.  Even employers offered a premium and preference for bilingual speakers.  I know it is not quite the same, but that is what motivated me to study another language.