Trellum

My favorite actress is Natalie Portman   She speaks 7 languages:  Hebrew, English. Some French, German, Japanese, Arabic and Spanish.  She was already bilingual when she was just 14 years old.  I think she went to Harvard, not sure, but I'm 100% sure she went to one of those big universities.  I really admire her and see her as a role model; she is so modest!!

It was for me; if it wasn't because I learnt english a long time ago there is no way I'd have been able to take the oportunities that came knocking on my door.  I'm 100% sure those oportunities wouldn't have knocked on my door if it wasn't because I learnt english early. 

I might actually land a nice job thanks to my englsh skills   This year might be the year for me!  So I need to improve my english a bit more in the next few months before I even apply for that job.  I'm so thankful I learnt english... I strongly believe it was destiny!

Dennis, I had Hebrew a while ago... I learnt to read it, but I have almost forgotten everything. Reading the lanugage is NOT hard at all, believe me, it's actually super easy, specially if you are reading religious texts, because most of them have ''nikkud'', which makes everything so easy to read.

I don't agree with a posted that said you have to learn the alpabeth and how to read it in order to learn hebrew, this person obviously has zero experience with hebrew!  Truth is you can learn to speak hebrew without writing it or reading it, but know how to read it would give you a clear adventage. 

If you want to learn some basic phrases in hebrew then you must check the Pimsleur approach, I know a lot people don't like it and isn't for everyone, but if you are just looking to get to speak this language as soon as possible, then you must give it a try.  Once you learn some basic words and start to recognize the sounds everything will go smoothly! 

After that you can start learning to read it   Which is supper easy!  Writing it in the other hand will take a while, but with some patience you will make it. Just focus on learning as much hebrew as you can and ignore all those people that say you can't!

Welcome to the forum!  Sorry to hear about your predicament!  I'm also mexican btw   Do you have any plan to learn spanish? Are you planning to take a language course or something like that?  If you are this forum will come in handy for you, because we are more than ready to help you with all your questions   There are a couple of native spanish speakers, incluiding myself  

Very interesting, I wonder what he has to say about the Pimsleur couses, lol.  I bet nothing good, since it seems everyone out there seems to hate the Pimsleur approach, which is weird for me because I really like that approach.  I admit isn't for everyone tho, but isn't bad at all if you're trying to get to speak the language fast (forget about grammar rules and spelling for a moment!).

Yes, I'm learning Dutch because my partner is Dutch and he wants me to move in with him anytime soon. We want to start a life together, and is actually a requisite for me to learn it.  I'm not a big fan of the dutch language, and I never EVER thought I'd even try to learn it, but I'm doing it for love right now. Is there a better motivation than love?

As for english, nah, I learnt english on my own for no real reason.  I mean, it was more like a game for me than anything else.  It was so bizarre and weird.  I think it was destiny.

I never had the chance to use one of those electronic dictionaries, but I heard about them when I was little, I think.  I thought they were kinda fancy and cool, but sadly I never got to use one   It'd have been interesting tho, but I never really had contact with that kind of things until I was a teen (my mom bought me my first computer when I was 16). But I never got the chance to use an electronic dictionary.

I'd be lucky if I could dedicate at least one hour to learning Dutch everyday  The guy on that video must not have a lot things to do during the day, but it still is quite admirable he dedicates all that time off to learning languages.  I'm sure it will eventually pay off  

As for me... the max I've ever spent is probably 30 minutes listening to the dutch audio course I have.

I might consider paying for a tutor to learn dutch, since it's really important I learn it as soon as possible (so I can start working as soon as possible in the Netherlands).  I might actually consider it, because learning a language on your own isn't easy at all!  Mostly because there are a lot things that can get in the way of your study session...  For some reason is easier when you know you have to go take classes at some place, because you feel pressed to find some time for it.

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.

Well, thank you for taking the time to analyze my view   I must say I appreciate the fact those folks haven't forgotten their roots, in theory is really nice, but in the US people are using spanglish way too much... even at home.  Which, as you said, might lead to form some variations and changes to the original languages.  Some people say spanish in the US could be replaced by Spanglish in the future.  I hope not, I like the fact english and spanish can be used as two separate languages

As a person who grew up an hour from the border in California, I think Spanglish is a language. It's a pigeon language that makes it possible for teenagers to communicate at school as well as with their parents and extended family.

Many people that speak Spanglish know Spanish as a spoken language and not as a written one, because they learn it at home, but don't study it in school. When I was in elementary school, we were separated into an English speaking and a Spanish speaking class, and we didn't interact much until about 4th grade, once most of the 'Spanish' kids were fairly English fluent.

Obviously, English speaking students didn't have to worry about becoming Spanish fluent. I found out later that learning English was made priority number one for those kids, and English learning came before things like science, math or history.

For kids like this, speaking English (in the US at least) is basically non-negotiable. But Spanish is an avenue of keeping in touch with one's roots. So combining the two is a way of walking a very complicated cultural divide.

Wow, Audsauce, thanks a lot for sharing your story with us!  Thanks for taking the time to write your very personal view of this language, and the complex and deep implications speaking this language implies.  I hadn't think of it the way you explained it. I thought of it more like a fad, but right now I feel humbled to find out what you guys (the spanglish speakers) think about using both spanish and english.

It's so nice you are still trying to honour and never forget your roots, that's really noble and I appreciate it so much!  This has definitely changed my view of this language.

Well, I worked as an au pair in Norway for a while... that required me to speak english, and hopely learn some norwegian.  I never managed to learn norwegian because my employers always spoke to me in english, and to be honest I never made a real effort to learn it, but I did learn some words after a while.  I have forgotten most of it tho... I guess the old phrase: ''use it or lose it'' is true when it comes to this, lol.

I used to study in a city close to two other countries and it was of vital importance to speak English fluently if you wanted to work anywhere, because I got a lot of encounters with people from other countries. So yes, speaking English, together with a good bit of German helped me get the job that I worked at for about 6 months before I moved back.

I think knowing english will always give you a lot advantage almost everywhere   I'm glad to hear knowing this language helped you a lot.  I think there is nothing more rewarding than seeing that your effort has actually paid off!  I think the act of learning a new language is really noble, but getting a benefit from doing it is a huge plus and when it happens it can be considered a real bleeding; specially if it helps you land a good job.

I'm not surprised at all to be honest!  It's a really interesting article tho, but I think most people knows that learning chinese is way harder than learning english.  It's nice to have some scientific proof to back that claim up... way better than just assumptions

I'd never dare to learn chinese! I've always thought this language isn't for everyone.  A lot people over here claim is becoming a really important lanugage for business, but despite that I'd not give it a try (too hard!).

I use the english language on a daily basis, but strangely enough it seems I'm stuck with the same words everyday.  For some reason I just can't expand my vocabulary the way I'd like!  I guess using english on a daily basis is just not enough for me! 

I'd like to create a list of words and also look up words I don't understand and write them down. Then try to use them as much as possible on a daily basis.  I'm afraid this alone won't do tho... since expanding your vocabulary and keeping it that way requires a lifelong commitment and effort.

It's really weird I used to love poetry when I was younger as well, but as I grew up I totally lost the interest in it!  I remember I even loved to write poetry, I invested a lot time in it as I was really passionate about it.  I really wonder how people can keep that interest once they grow up... some people must be poets by vocation...

The body language compromises a huge percentage of ourt overall communication, some dare to say it's almost as important as the spoken language form, I couldn't but agree more.  It's amazing how knowing more about  body language and how interpret it can help you to be percieved as a totally different person. 

For example, if you are a shy and insecure person, but you can manipulate your body language right, then people could percieve you as a really confident and independent person. You can easily tell when someone is lying to you as well.

I'm unable to do this,  reading out loud requires a lot concentration on my side, actually!  It's a shame, because my teacher often asked me to read out loud many texts from the books.  I couldn't remember a word!  I thought it was linked to the fact I suffer from ADD, but I guess it isn't!  Glad to know I'm not the only one with these issues

I do it almost all the time!  I have memory issues.  It can be so embarrassing, I'm so glad I don't have a job that requires me to have the best and widest vocabulary.  Sometimes it would seem as if I was really dumb or slow because I forget the words for some things I'm about to say.  I try not to make a big fuss about it tho, because if I do people tend to notice it even more.  I just act as if nothing had happened and cool about it.

Uhm I guess short and straight in most cases   I've been told I tend to be an extremely direct and frank person, so I guess that's why I like this ''form'' of language. 

If I'm reading a manual, then I really prefer a detailed description... with a diagram if possible!  I expect some really complete and descriptive instructions... with as many instructions as possible! After all that's what I needed when I was trying to figure out Windows 8

Food for the thought, his hypotesis do make some sense, I mean I see the logic in his assumptions.  It would be nice to be able to blame my poor financial decisions on the language I speak   Seriously, it would be really interesting if that had an actual link.  I enjoyed reading the article. even tho everything was just assumptions, it still was a great read  

I think they made a mistake when they put norwegian in the group of languages that doesn't clearly distinguish between the present and future.

That's really interesting, Sidney   It looks like the Philipines is one of those countries where a lot languages are still spoken   I had no idea about that.  I guess this is common in asian countries like yours, and countries like Singapore   I wonder how hard those languages spoken in your country are!  What is tagalog like?  I'm guessing you have borrowed some words from spanish, right?

Thanks for the answers guys   So far only you (two portuguese) folks have answered this thread.  I'm sure there are countries where several languages are spoken   I don't think Mexico is the only country where a lot languages are spoken, I believe a lot languages are spoken in a lot countries located in south america; most must be indigenous languages (just like in Mexico).

Nice little quizz, too bad it advices me to learn spanish, lol.  So funny because that's my mother language.  As a second option I got latin, but that language is kinda useless nowadays. I clarified in the quizz I wanted to learn something I'd be able to use everyday!  Like for example englisg

I am not really much of a resolutions person, as I believe that if I really wanted to do something, I would start it tomorrow instead of in January, however I am hoping that by next year I am somewhat fluent in Spanish, I keep up with my workout and exercise regime, as well as continue the tradition to eat clean healthy meals. 2013 has been going greatly for me, at least compares to the last few years, so I guess I would just be happy if I continued to swing that way next year, and make the best of it.

It sounds like we are on the same boat!  I'm also planning to keep on eating clean and healthy and workout.  I already do those things, but you know how easy it is to stop and how hard is to start again!  Good luck with your goals!  Keeping a healthy lifestyle is a real feat!  I know because I keep on trying and trying every day.  As for language... I think I'll be happy if I learn the basic Dutch language phrases.  My boyfriend already say we can buy a dutch language package or I can take Dutch classes.