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Linguaholic

skywatcher

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Everything posted by skywatcher

  1. If I could understand the language, then I'd probably be reading the material in the original language, too. I might even try and make my own translation if translated materials don't exist yet, or even make a comparative analysis. But even if I couldn't understand the language but could read the characters (unlike in the case of Chinese, Japanese and Korean that I have to study the characters first, too), I think I'd have a lot of fun checking if a certain pronunciation for certain words are correct or not, haha.
  2. I agree! Though for me, it's more of the thrill of the learning than the outcome in itself. It's like, when you're learning a new language, it's like becoming one with the culture of where that language belongs. I'm not sure, but I get to appreciate other places and other cultures more because I get exposed to the language. Whenever I get a hold of a Latin or a Japanese dictionary, I always feel my mind being transferred somewhere else. I think this is the reason why I really like wanting to learn languages.
  3. Quit learning a language? Yep, I've been tempted to do that many times simply because I couldn't master a part of the language quick enough. But I realized that it doesn't matter how "fast" I get to master the language, it's my being able to take it to the heart. Cheesy, yes, but for me that's what matters most now. Then again, the same instance is happening with me and my learning Spanish (at least, the elementary difficulty because it's a requirement for school), hahaha
  4. Achieving creativity isn't always easy for students, especially through writing. Art students could also have a dilemma when it comes to pouring out creativity through their works, and I'm sure students can also have a hard time pouring their creative juice through the medium. And considering that not everyone can use the English language that efficiently, another difficulty of students might be utilizing the language as efficiently as an artist uses his pen to draw. I think the best way to help students more in creative writing is to help them through practice.
  5. They are, actually. I think the misconception falls when we always associate graphic novels with mainstream comics. I've always found graphic novels to contain depth and power through a short span of pages - with a central plot being the focus of the entire literary work, while mainstream comics usually dwell on improving plots through time and through tie-in issues. I'm not saying comics are bad (I'm a huge fan of them), but graphic novels also have their own perks.
  6. I agree with the others above, though I couldn't say I'm 100% sure about my answers, haha. Either way, I've always been told that we generally use active sentences for added strength and power to sentences. This is why articles are often told in the active than the passive voice.
  7. It's not that it's "easy", but I think because English has been exposed almost everywhere that anyone can get to learn parts of the language anywhere they look. I think "ease" comes with practice, really, haha, and more or less through exposure.
  8. This depends on what I intend to text, haha. If it's for formal purposes (say, to a higher-up in an organization), I use correct grammar and spelling. If it's for my peers, I generally do the same. But when I have to hurry up (say, I'm about to ride a train, or I'm on my way somewhere), that's the time when I'd use shortcuts. Of course, when I intend to joke on someone, I generally t4k3 d1s m4nn3r 0f sp34k1ng, haha!
  9. I'm not a native speaker of English but I always think in English - somehow. Whenever I need to think critically, English has been the language I've been reliant upon, but when I casually think, it's a mix of my native language and English.
  10. I do that sometimes, but I can't write a literary piece without actually using a bit of English in it. I'm not versed in any other language in such a way that it still helps me write effective pieces. Perhaps a little hint of Spanish or Italian here and there, depending on the theme, but not completely in another language
  11. Definitely Latin. I mean, we can't speak it, but I've always wanted to learn how to write it. It's been a language that fascinated me for years. Latin has always had this fragrance that seems too elegant to simply let go.
  12. It's like, being able to communicate with another person using another language is an honor - because it means my learning the language was actually worth the while. It's like, I haven't wasted this skill I've simply learned just because of grades or out of compulsion, but I'm actually using this to be a part of someone else's life. For me, this is my biggest reason of wanting to learn other languages.
  13. I know this is perhaps the most "basic" answer ever, but it really helps a lot if you 1.) practice a lot, 2.) write a lot, and 3.) read a lot. Four years ago, my writing was trash. Seriously. Maybe my writing now is comparable to dust, but it's still not good. My English lessons weren't good enough. My books weren't good enough. The only thing I could simply run to was either a book or the Word Processor. For me, I've always believed I used books as an inspiration to force me to write more. I always expose myself to books that I know I like, which forces me to read them - perhaps for more than a few times - which then urges me to write. I don't care if I don't show my writings to anyone, or if no one appreciates my work. What matters is that I'm being able to write, and writing lets me expose my grammar in something I could read and check. Even if it appears as something you should improve a lot, it will eventually get to a point that you're so used to seeing your mistakes, you simply start forgetting about them and automatically correcting them in the process. Don't worry, you'll eventually get to the point that you'd be able to perform in the way you want to perform, but the best way of doing this is to practice and to always expose yourself to things that can force you to write - because writing is the only way we can exercise the things we learn about grammar and actually help us improve.
  14. Pig Latin and Klingon for me, but I haven't fared much as to how exactly I'd gather enough materials to properly learn the language - to my dismay.
  15. It is, here in the Philippines. Since we both use Filipino and English in our daily affairs (and considering English is our second language), we have to study it ever since grade-school (kinder, too, if that counts). Which means we both have Filipino and English subjects that both teach us the Filipino and English versions of writing and speaking, respectively. This is also applicable even during in college - we have an oral communication and writing/grammar class for Filipino and English, respectively, each a semester apart.
  16. I'm born in the Philippines, and I guess I have a normal accent like other Filipinos. My English accent isn't that bad, but I wouldn't say it's appropriate enough for me to be able to use it in other countries, so I guess I need to brush up on my English - especially since I can't speak the letter "R" correctly (either comes off silent, or as "W").
  17. Google Translate is okay for me, though I shouldn't be always reliant on it - especially if I need an accurate rendition of the language. Should I use Google Translate, I should at least have a dictionary of the language nearby with me, just to be able to compare results. For personal reasons/entertainment reasons/curiosity reasons, sure I might use Google Translate, but if it's for official and formal things, I'd rather have Google Translate as somewhat a tool to "check and recheck" other translations I've seen - as second opinion or third opinion, if the terms are correct.
  18. It was grade-school for me. In the Philippines, since our National Language is Filipino and our Official, English, then we're actually expected to learn two languages during our childhood - which means we have both a Filipino subject and an English subject ever since we started studying. We have the same even in college - we have a separate writing and oral communications class in Filipino and English, each a semester apart than the next. And then (depending on the school), we're about to learn Elementary Spanish this coming semester. Depending on your course, you could choose German or Japanese, or even Latin if you're currently taking Philosophy.
  19. I agree. I personally use Taglish in my day-to-day affairs, but only when I need to substitute a Tagalog word I can't remember with an English one I can easily picture in my head. I think the irritating Taglish is the "conyo" type of Taglish, where everything is inappropriately switched with something that can be used in a completely comprehensible manner. For example, "Do you want to make kain sa labas?" is generally a lot more irritating because you start in English, and abruptly end it in Filipino. Not only that, but you used "make", which is already a verb, with "kain" the noun for the act of eating, when you could actually just use, "kumain" or "eat". "Do you want to eat outside?" is a better term, though Filipino elitists might think you're underestimating the Filipino language. "Gusto mo kumain sa labas?" is generally safer and a lot more used, though this is usually between friends who understand the meaning of "labas" or "outside". This can either mean, a carinderia, a local eatery, or a fast-food chain. "Gusto mo kumain ng fast-food?" is the one I tend to use. I tend to switch a Filipino noun with an English word that generally pertains to a bigger set of options, since I'm actually looking for a more specific answer. I don't think Taglish is becoming the language of modern-day Filipinos. A lot of us still respect and comprehend and study the actual art of speaking in Tagalog, but I guess we really do have the tendency to code-switch because we want to simplify things. Then again, language is a constantly evolving part of culture, so I guess the nature of Filipino as a language would most definitely have to change overtime. What I don't want to happen is to see the beautiful language being replaced with a mixture of English and something else. Maybe we could learn English, Taglish and Tagalog all at the same time? That's better, I think, since it makes us more versatile when it comes to the speakers we're dealing with.
  20. I agree with this. I actually had a harder time learning the written variety because of the complexities in the language, but the spoken form is generally easier to learn because not only are you exposed to the environment where everyone almost speaks the language, but remembering the words in their spoken form are generally easier, since much of the language is derived from other languages as well.
  21. Philippine English is okay for me, though I really recommend that should we ever use this variety of language, we need to understand that this variant of English is not always suitable when speaking with users using other English variants. This means not only should we study Philippine English, but we should also understand its differences with other local varieties of English. It might be a hassle, but this is better instead of potentially confusing and letting others misinterpret what we mean by our words and phrases, haha!
  22. Oh no - I actually do some of those things, haha! Though I'm really thankful for our Advanced Grammar classes last semester. I was able to overcome at least some of them and it greatly improved my proficiency in the language. But this is a really cool guide. I'm going to bookmark this just in case. Thanks!
  23. I also agree, though sometimes online tutorials can simplify a lot of things that real tutors might seem to complicate. Then again, online tutorials are also great means, not only to serve as a refresher or to simplify subject matters, but as a means to be able for us language users to focus on a single part of a language that we might be confused about. Some tutors have this tendency to interrelate various parts of their lessons on a single lesson time, which can be very confusing. These online tutorials, then, can help because not only do they focus on a single part of a language, but should they relate this to another lesson, they might reference another online tutorial of theirs. The problem lies when there are inadequate tutorials available the covers the language - that, then, can spark some conflict between learning languages.
  24. It's annoying for me, although I really couldn't blame them for wanting to be "unique" in a world filled with unique people. As they say (unfortunately), "kanya-kanyang trip yan" . Then again, if their using the language will harm not only their growth as Filipino speakers, but as a speaker of all languages in general, then I really do hope they know the limits of the language they're using and that they are still recognizing the proper syntax and grammar of the language they really want to use. Though I admit, I'm also a jejemon speaker, though I mainly use it for fun and to annoy my friends, haha!
  25. Hello! I'm not an expert speaker/reader/writer of Japanese, but I'm willing to learn. I haven't started yet, but I've been watching anime, reading manga, and watching tokusatsu (Kamen Rider and Super Sentai), and I believe I've been engulfed in a lot of Japanese several times a day. The thing that motivates me to learn, I think, isn't simply because I want to visit Japan sometime in my life (which I really want to accomplish), but because I also want to have another language in my skill-set, and it's really my dream to be able to work in a Japanese gaming publishing company, or in a studio as a writer or a producer of anime/manga or Japanese movies
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