Dora M

I have been trying to brush up on my French language skills with the help of textbooks and CD's in my spare time. But somehow I am not really getting into the swing of things. Perhaps I am not as interested as I think I am. I find myself listening to the speakers and repeating their sentences, but I don't feel a great urge to complete any homework tasks. I flicker through the book and just pick out what interests me, usually stories with pictures. How about you? Have you learnt a language that has lied (or is that "laid"?) dormant over the years that you would like to take up again but lack the motivation?

I already speak a couple of uncommon languages. I wouldn't describe Swiss-German or Serbo-Croatian exactly as mainstream. When I lived in Papua New Guinea, I attempted to learn Pidgin English. I acquired enough phrases to make myself understood, but unfortunately my time there came to an early end and I haven't been able to catch up with that amazing language since.

I had the advantage of growing up with two languages, German and Serbo-Croatian. Later I learnt English in school for nearly 7 years and French for 2 years. When I met my partner a few years ago, I started learning Spanish. I like to keep up with all languages as much as possible, but unfortunately my French has almost completely withered away due to lack of practice.

Trellum, you just made me smile. I was thinking only the other day that some things can only ever be said in Spanish to have full impact and effect. I couldn't imagine them in any other language. Well, perhaps Italian, but that seems like a "softer" version, quiet melodic, even in the heat of an argument. I love the force that comes through the Spanish language. There is something resolute and definite about it, often enhanced by a lot of hand gesticulations, emotion and drama. It's that fire that appeals to me. Would you say that there is "fire" in the English language?

One tends to dream in pictures and symbols, interspersed with all kinds of messages. So far I haven't really noticed any particular language in which those messages get conveyed to my conscious mind. Occasionally a word or a sentence comes to the surface when I wake up, but if I would have to describe that language, I would call it the "language of the soul". :-)

I was brought up bilingual. My parents talked to me in two languages since I was a baby. So I would say it is never too early. Children learn quickly. There are so many games and interesting activities you can involve kids in, and they don't even seem to notice in what language they are speaking. It's all communication to them. But they soon figure out who to talk to when they really want something, and in the right language, too. :-)

Me gusta esta pregunta, ya que hay un plato latinoamericano llamado “Tamal” que me enamora. Es una masilla rellena de rodajas de vegetales, cuya receta original trae algún tipos de carne en el medio; pero yo definitivamente prefiero los Tamales vegetarianos. Finalmente creo que lo que le da el toque secreto a esta receta es que es cocido dentro de una hoja de mata de plátano. Deliciosos…

Mi gusto respecto al cine es muy variados, no tengo un género o tipo de películas en especial que prefiero ver, pero las películas que más me atraen son las que tienen contenido psicológico, aquellas que exploran esos intrincados laberintos de la mente humana y que siempre dejan un montón de preguntas de tinte existencial en tu interior.

Guten Tag, miteinander. Ich wuerde gerne wissen, ob ihr euch fuer deutsche Musik interessiert? Ich hoere gerne Nina Hagen, besonders ihre neue CD, die erst kuerzlich herauskam. Schon als ich noch ein Teenager war, gefiel mir diese Saengerin, die als die deutsche "Godmother of Punk" gilt. Nina Hagen hat ueber die Jahre hinweg schon oefters oeffentliches Aufsehen erregt durch ihr Benehmen und ihre Meinungen. Ich liebe ihre sanft-rauhe Stimme und ihre Lieder, die immer frisch und belebend auf mich wirken. Was gefaellt euch?

I was born in Austria and grew up bilingual. We spoke German and Serbo-Croatian at home. I can't say that I have a preference for any particular language, they are all beautiful and useful to me in their own way. But I have a special affinity with the German language and its unique way of expression, especially in literature. I like the way how there is plenty of room to experiment with words to create a particular intensity that occasionally takes my breath away. And I think: how was the writer able to exactly describe a feeling or situation with those precise words? I guess that's a big part of it, that sense of precision that appeals to me. In comparison, I find the English language more "flowery" or gentle. It might sound strange, but I somehow feel more "rounded" within the English language, whereas German pushes me to ever greater mental challenges. I need both in life. :-)

I like the English version where you are "welcome" after thanking someone. Or someone responds with "pleasure". It actually does make me feel welcome and gives me a feeling that the other person has derived some pleasure from what I had to offer. In Australia people often say "ta", which is an abbreviation of "thank you." In Serbia, people say "hvala" to thank someone. And usually get a "molim" in return. I am so used to the polite English way that many have said to me in either Serbia or Austria, that should stop thanking everyone so much. But I do it anyway. :-)

After doing a little more research, I found out that there are between 100.000 and 2.000.000 million active or fluent speakers of Esperanto worldwide. And some even learnt it from birth. I never knew that. But perhaps it is not a surprise since in Australia it is not very common. I was thinking about the meaning of "artificial language". If I understand correctly, Esperanto is a combination of several different languages. I have a question: When is a language "natural" and when is it "artificial". And who decides over this? Personally I think that all languages that offer a way of communication are natural, whether they have evolved over a thousand years or only over 125 years.

Thank you very much, Bill. I only heard of this language a long time ago from my father. It completely slipped my mind. I have never heard of it again here in Australia. But I see now from another Australian member that there are apparently classes available in the bigger cities. I personally would like to learn it when I have more time available. I am curious to know whether Esperanto might actually help to provide a foundation for learning other languages more easily, since it is a mixture of a variety of languages.

I began learning Spanish for no other reason than to be able to communicate with my partner on many different levels. I figured that I would understand his background and culture so much better through his own language. Acquiring the skill to speak this powerful language fluently, has opened many new doors for me in my private life and in business.

I feel a good starting point to exploring Spanish literature is through the work of Colombian writer, Andres Caicedo (Luis Andrés Caicedo Estela), who describes different facets of society and social problems that surrounded him back in the 1970's. His style is simple and original. Unfortunately he died at the age of 25. I would especially recommend "Angelitos Empantanados o Historias Para Jovencitos" and "¡Que viva la música!"

I would like to acquire a new translation software that helps me with my work. I was thinking of Babylon 9. Are any of you familiar with this software? I have done some research and found excellent reviews, but I am an eternal sceptic and always wonder about the truthfulness of those reviews. I am looking for something that has a high accuracy and works fast. Any suggestions?

I have mixed feelings about the google translator. If you already have more than a basic knowledge of a language, it can be very useful to pick out certain words and connect them in the right way. I just use it mainly as a dictionary, when I am not quite sure about certain words. I definitely wouldn't rely on the grammar. I simply like the speed of it and with the translator application on my smart phone, it feels good to me to have the right word just a few clicks away when I need it.

I read on Wikipedia that Esperanto is an artificial language devised in 1887 as an international medium of communication, based on roots from the chief European languages. It retains the structure of these languages and has the advantage of grammatical regularity and ease of pronunciation. Is anyone here familiar with this language? And is it still in use? And where exactly is it being used?

I live near Papua New Guinea, an island that has around 830 indigenous languages. It is the most linguistically diverse country on the planet. For a place that is roughly as big as the state of California that is rather impressive. They have three official languages, Tok Pisin and Hiri Motu, also known as Pidgin English, and English. I think this is a prime example that some "overall language" really makes life a lot easier.

The Spanish language is probably the second or third most spoken language in the world. It offers a diversity of possibilities of expression through its wide range of synonyms and/or antonyms for the same word. I love this language and all its complexities. Also it is opening many new doors for me. I can communicate with everyone when I am staying with my partner's family in Latin America, and that is very important to me.

Me siento atraido profundamente por un país de centro America llamado Costa Rica. Las personas que lo han visitado siempre me hablan de montañas verdes y ciudades que no son tan caóticas como las grades ciudades alrededor del mundo. Además allí podemos encontrar mar en dos lados del país, lo cual es muy difícil de encontrar en muchos países de Europa. Definitivamente debo preparar mis maletas para empesar mi aventura hacia Latinoamérica.

Me enamoré en verdad del rock que vienen de Argentina por que he podido notar que es muy diverso, puede encontrar facetas muy comicas, sentimentales, concienzudas, sicodélicas e incluso “surrealistas” por que a veces tú crees que no tiene sentido, pero luego puedes encontrar una significado mas profundo en ellas, como pro ejemplo las letras de aquella banda llama Soda Stereo que realmente me gusta.

Realmente me gustaría ir para vivir en España. Desde que mi mejor amigo fue a esa país siempre me estaba diciendo todo tipo de cosas buenas de la arquitectura y los lugares cercanos a los diferentes mars. Y me gusta mucho conocer diferentes tipos de las personas de los varios países, sobre todo los de América Latina, es increíble conocer todos los puntos de vista de diferentes personas de todo el mundo acerca de los lugares que están viviendo

Hi, you might like to look at this link. I really like the way they teach you Spanish in a playful way on that site. There are free self-study courses, games, worksheets, all kinds of useful things. It will get you into the swing of things, and you will be able to surprise your boyfriend and his family with your first comments in Spanish when they least expect it. Good luck with everything!

Oh yes, very much so. I listen to a lot of Spanish bands since I met my Latin American boyfriend a couple of years ago. It is such a fun way to improve your Spanish by reading the lyrics and trying to understand what they are actually trying to convey. But often I don't really care all that much for the words, I just get carried away by the rhythm and the energy of the song... makes me feel like dancing. :grin: