JoanMcWench

I feel that regardless of your origin language, if you enjoy any form of rap and you understand English you will use slang terms. You have to know what they are speaking of in order to full appreciate the song. You will have to understand why they are saying a certain word in a certain place. We all know music is immensely helpful in learning another language. The slang we use comes from where we learned it. The difference between slacks and britches, I suppose.

I agree with the opinion on the choice of spelling but also in the pronunciation: e.g. Centrifugal

Thanks! I thought so but I also know a lot of work would have to go into that. I know I have played said games before but I cannot remember where or why. Rosetta Stone has a great way of implementing what I am referring to but they do not do it with any style of Flash program. They use actual images to help you in the learning process.

You know how it goes. You have a word that means something: Apple. A delicious fruit that grows on trees of the same name. Then you have written that word or said that word ad nauseam and the word is nothing but a collection of letters now. Be it in the form of punishment, work, or boredom it seems repeating a word devalues that word. Why the heck is that?

I saw The Simpsons mentioned & yet no this? "To alcohol! The cause of and solution to all of life's problems."

That's a favourite... http://www.pimsleurapproach.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/fire-extinguisher-hand-grenade.jpg

I like to test this on movies that are originally in a different language but then translated with English audio and then matching that to the subtitles provided. It is never the same. Things get lost and, sometimes, added. It is quite the confusing way to watch a movie. Other then proving the translations are off I would not recommend it.

I feel like the initial sentiment was in regard to the languages that person knows. If the percentage swings the person toward English being the backward language than that is clearly because the other languages are swaying the opinion.

I am just not a fan. There is a lot lost in translation (pun intended) when you use applications or free translating services. The accuracy is suspect and the nuances are lost. I would love it if someone took the translating problem so serious that the languages are translated based on location in the world and compound languages. That is the dream...

I mentioned this, I believe, in another topic but I felt like it should be its own: Would it be too Icarus of the forum to add a games section separate of the forum format? What I mean is perhaps a Flash style gaming section that catered to the language you were learning? Something that flashed (no pun intended) images that you match with the word in the desired language?I realize this would take a lot of work but I also feel it would greatly benefit the site.

If I am not wrong, I thought that if you wanted to know a users native language you could check that within their profile? Having native English speaking users in this section adds an interesting element for me as the reader. I try to guess the native language before checking it on a profile. It is impressive when I have a hard time figuring it out.

I am particularly aggravated by the pronunciation of 'epitome' by people. Where they say 'e-pi-tome' as opposed to 'e-pit-oh-me'. For some reason, I have noticed this happens most often when someone is reading aloud. Strangest thing.

Learning a fictional language seems like a ton of work for very little reward. I am trying to see how it could possibly benefit me other than delighting me when I put it on a resume? I would much rather try to master non-fiction languages before I would even consider attempting the fiction.

Completely on the level of the post prior to mine. Being bi or trilingual helps a ton when looking for jobs. Especially when it happens to be a language that rare but desperately sought after. Of course, money should never be the only reason. I like learning new things. I enjoy knowing something I did not before. I also love it when you learn a language and happen upon someone in day to day life who is fluent and you can maintain a conversation. Great feeling.

Ah, but you easily could have made it into a suggestion or request: I suggest you change nothing because you all are so great! I would request that everyone stay super smart and delightful!

I like the suggestions thus far. Would it be too much work to have a section of the site exclusive to flash style games that use images in association with words? Much like Rosetta Stone? Or am I asking for far far too much work to be done?

I am completely a paid passenger on the French train. I would love to get a better grasp on learning the language in a more casual conversation style than the traditional one. For some reason that has been the language stuck in my craw!

Quite happy to be here. Cannot wait to fully read a few of these topics I glanced at. I have a feeling this forum will be a big help.