Baburra

I've always found the saying "Pie in the sky" amusing. I don't exactly know why, it's probably because I picture it every time I hear it, and a floating pie would be a pretty interesting sight to see.

I think you should just stick with what appeals to you. It's hard enough to learn a whole new language, and it gets even harder when your heart's not in it, so it's quite important that you choose one that you would personally find value in. I think Japanese or Italian would be an excellent choice.

My guess is no, but like you said, they were all probably constructed in a similar way or manner. The results probably even ended up being pretty similar in structure too. But I don't think people who live apart would naturally use the same language. As long as we started out scattered, we probably had different languages back then too.

I can't say I've experienced this before. Fortunately for me, I've always been running into nice people when I traveled. Even the sellers are nice, but of course, I know they are disappointed when I don't buy anything from them as a tourist sometimes.

Yup, that's true. My nephew watches only English shows and he almost only speaks the language now. It's pretty interesting to see, but I think the environment he's in helped a lot too. We all speak both languages when at home.

I usually just poke around anyway even if it's not in my language. Sometimes, you can guess enough times and actually find what you're looking for. I find pressing translate a little tedious, it works a little too slow for me.

I think things are only important when people make them important, and since it's not important to them, then maybe it's not, obviously not to all people at least. There are lots of ways to be successful in business, and there is no one particular overall requirement to attain said monetary success.

I've heard that in some countries like Japan, it's hard to communicate in English, since the people aren't required to learn it, but I question if it is still an accurate assumption nowadays. I think that may be a little less true today, since information is a lot more available through internet and I think more Japanese people are getting exposed to the English language and culture a lot more, such as the wealth of American videos and comments on Youtube, for example. I suspect this is the situation as well for most other non-english speaking countries, what do you think?

I've formed the habit of saying "welp" in place of "well" at the beginning of some statements, like "welp.. it's done". I don't know where I picked it up, but it feels very natural for me to say it, and none of my friends use it either.

It is a pretty good way to casually get into a new language with less effort, I agree, since it does still play out a little bit like normal conversations. I think the best and easiest things to learn while watching these are the short phrases and daily used words, and it helps to see the emotion of the actors' faces alongside the words being used to get a more complete essence.

I'd rate it at 8 or 9/10 difficulty. It's certainly a lot more difficult for me to learn it than musical instruments. Like all difficult things, however, it just makes it all the more delicious to taste the sweet victory and accomplishment when you do conquer it.

I don't recall having to learn my native language, I think it was too early in life and it's kind of like walking to me. I don't know if anybody would have a different experience, but I am doubtful. I'd say the main difference of learning a second language is that you're consciously learning it, which makes it a little bit more difficult.

I am half Chinese, so I was practically required by my parents to learn it to some degree as a child, and I didn't have much choice on that. I'm very grateful to have learned the language now as an adult, I can certainly appreciate the beauty of this language a lot more now.

I suggest getting acquainted with the alphabet first, after that, you can practically read any Chinese word that has the alphabetical translation, and as long as you understand the basics of how they combine, you should have a relatively easier time teaching yourself how to pronounce individual words.

I don't correct them unless the mistake looks like it's going to be embarrassing for them if they repeat it in front of someone outside our group. Otherwise, as long as we're understanding each other, I think it's fine.

Is it true that there are Japanese phrases and words used solely for when talking to a senior either in age or rank in work? I'm sure there are, as I do know they use "sang" as a suffix instead of "san" for when speaking to an equal, or for casual conversations. Are there more notable differences besides this, like changes in tones and phrases or manner of speaking?

I do not think of it as arrogance, a nation has a right to choose whether or not they should teach their citizens a foreign language or not. Japan doesn't teach their citizens many languages outside of their own, I assume, but yet they are not as demanded by the rest of the world to learn another language like they do Americans. I don't know what it is about America, maybe it's just because they are so widely visible through media. Anyway, my point is, no, it's not arrogance, it's just pride in one's own language and nation, and I think that's okay as long as we all still remember that we're all still only a part of one human race.

I see it as a very good hobby to pursue. Not only is it inexpensive to learn, if it even costs anything at all nowadays, but it provides for a very good tool for when you do travel to the designated country of your choice in language or even just meet a person from there in your own country; and best of all, you can even make a living out of it, and seeing as language is a free and unlimited resource, you will never go out of business.

I think it is just personally enriching, like any of the other hobbies in life. If you do not find much life value in it, then it just may not be for you. I often ask myself why people love toy train sets so much, and I suspect it's pretty much the same situation for you.

I often associate words with familiar language so it's easier for me to recall. For example, "oyahou", is Japanese for "good morning", so I remembered it as "Oh, hi, you!" in English, and I imagined it as something you'd say in the morning. I never forgot it since. Good luck!

I'm sure some of you have heard some "invented" terms once in a while, the ones that are said by the speaker because it will obviously be understood by the audience. The best example I have of this is when people use nouns as adjectives, such as saying "sirup-y" or "lemon-y". Of course, there are real ones like "woody" or "grainy", but as for the others, I wonder sometimes if they are officially recognized, but I sure do appreciate them. I understand things a lot more when they are compared to similar objects. What do you guys think of these? Do you have some other notable examples?

Agreed. There are a lot of tips and tricks that someone who needed to practice will know that the natural speaker might not. I think this is true with most, if not all skills. On the contrary, there might also be some details that a native speaker might know of that a non-native speaker never picked up on. However, I think as far as basic learning goes, just in general, I think a non-native speaker might be able to empathize more with the whole experience, so like I said, yes I do agree.

If it were me, I'd probably go for books like Harry Potter or the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. They are children's books, technically, but they are very mature in nature and not at all too easy to read. What I like about these types of books is that because they are supposedly made for children and adults, then they put in extra effort to make it entertaining because children are very easily bored, I think. That's just my take on it, at least.

I think it's just the most practical way of testing, and I prefer it over other ways. Having the choices in front of you does make it a little easier, yes, but there are also the other optional answers that can confuse you, and I think that balances it out. The only problem with these types of exams is the luck factor, which I think is alright. Luck plays a role in real life as well, anyway, so it's not that much of an inaccurate representation of real situations.

I think translating by meaning is the best way to translate in most situations, regardless of language. Still, it's a little vulnerable to becoming subjective, so a healthy does of literal translation for good measure being thrown in might still be best.