hoodoowytch

It makes me cringe and go "yargh". I use proper grammar even when I text. It irks me to hear people go WTF or LOL If you're going to say it then SAY it or just freakin' LAUGH. I'm not one who gets easily offended in any case and quite frankly would prefer people to utter the actual words rather than all this nonsensical censoring of everything. The standards of proper grammar and speech have certainly been buggered up with the advent of texting...in my opinion anyway.

Wow, I have only ever used the text only dictionaries and honestly, they just sometimes make remembering some things harder for me...at least at first. I am going to have to try these visual language dictionaries. I think that would make it so much easier to learn a language! Hmm...wondering if I can get these sort of dictionaries for any kind of language? Would be really nice if I could get these sort of dictionaries with spelling done in the actual language, and then a picture and then pronunciation of the word. That would be extremely helpful in learning a dead language as well as modern languages.

Yep. Without at least a decent grasp of any language, and it's structure, you may as well be grunting and pointing to try and convey what you are wanting to get across to someone else.

I am wondering where I could find a basic Cherokee, ( or ANY of the Native American languages for that matter!), language book? CD? An online dictionary even? I have a passion for dead, and nearly dead, languages. I know that most of the languages of many of the tribes that once lived here are as extinct as they are...but I know a few still remain and few still speak these beautiful languages. I'd like to add any of these to the collection of dead languages I am studying.

I'll be happy to spread the word! I know a few folks who hang out at the local Bookstore/Coffee shop who would probably love this forum. It's the big local hang out for the college crowd. Lots of the professors and students go there everyday.

GREAT IDEA! A language exchange buddy! Actually, this is often how people who want to learn ASL, (or any form of sign language for that matter), is they look for a deaf friend(s) to sign with. Sort of the same idea of immersing yourself in a culture enough to learn the language. Very cool idea. Looking forward to it.

What are these courses you speak of? I've never heard of any of them. I am going to go out on a limb here and guess they are language courses, (but that is only because we are on a language forum and I don't figure they would be anything else. )

YES! I think a Sign Language Forum would be very nice. As for a 'concept' for a dead languages section of the forum...I'm not entirely sure what you would be looking for....but I can give it a shot. Maybe one could start with one or two dead languages...like Ancient Greek and Latin, or try for a couple of the old Celtic Languages. Irish and Scottish Gaelic perhaps? Or the Manx from which both come? Not sure if that's what you mean, but maybe that helps?

Speaking as a professional writer, well, I would say proper grammar is quite important. However, when I am speaking I am a bit more relaxed because no one I know actually talks in proper grammatical sentences. I'm not sure it's as important when actually speaking, unless you move in circles that require proper grammatical speech, such as politics. I do believe it's very important when it comes to writing though. Makes it so much easier to properly convey an idea or intent when one uses proper grammar and spelling when writing.

I guess I've been using proper grammar for so long that I hadn't really thought of the actual rules for years. I realize I still remember a few, but also realize I've forgotten plenty too. I suppose I just got so used to it that I just use it without thinking. I read and write all the time so it's easy for me to keep in practice. But, if you really want to know all the rules then getting a grammar text book or dictionary should work fine. Otherwise, I suggest reading a lot...both fiction and non-fiction. Notice the way the words, sentences and paragraphs are put together. Read enough and it'll stick with you on a more subconscious level.

Fellow Zelda-phile here Kaynil! Which is your favorite? I'm still working through Skyward Sword. Love your icon. LOL (Sorry, off topic, I know... ) Never thought about trying to make a language out of some of the Zelda symbols. Cool.

Unfortunately, it's like any language, if you don't use it you lose it...especially if it's not your first language. As for telling the difference in the sort of Signs used in different countries, it takes being immersed enough in American Sign Language, (ASL), to be able to tell. I am learning ASL, BSL ans ISL right now to try and see the differences. (BSL is British Sign Language and ISL is Irish Sign Language.) I've just started with both of them, and right now it's mostly like learning how to sign an accent and understand the slang signs and so on. While there is a lot of signs that are the same or very similar with all three, there are an awful lot that are different.

I think it is always worth learning new things and gaining new knowledge. That being said, I think it is definitely worth learning multiple languages if you are aiming for a job an interpreter. I can see where it would especially be handy in politics where knowing multiple languages would definitely be an asset. Also, if one tends to travel a lot, whether for pleasure or business, it does help to know the language(s) of the place(s) you travel to.

Oh I just LOVE a British and Aussie accent! I think they just sound incredibly sexy and when you get someone like Hugh Jackman, (WOOF!), talking in his native Aussie accent it just makes me go all weak and quivery inside. I think one of the prettiest accents I ever heard before my hearing went was a woman from Africa actually singing in Swahili. She knew English quite well, but would sometimes sing in her native language and it was absolutely beautiful.

Yes. I love the Elven Languages from Tolkien's Lord of the Rings and the Silmarillion. I think they are some of the most beautiful spoken and written fictional languages out there. I watch my LoR movies often and crank the hearing aids up to try to hear when the characters are speaking Elvish. Also, I just LOVE it when Pippin sings in the Denethor's chambers. I crank everything up at that point.

I am wondering if I am the only HoH/Deaf person on this forum and the only one who is learning any form of Sign Language? American Sign Language or any other form of Sign Language from any other part of the world? Believe it or not, different countries do differ quite a bit on some hand signs for a concept. Sign Language is a conceptual language that uses facial expressions and body language as well as using the hands to form specific symbol signs to convey a meaning. It is a surprisingly complex and beautiful language. Syntax and grammar aren't as important as it is with written or spoken language because the person is merely trying to convey an idea in a sort of picture language so grammar and syntax doesn't play much of a role. Some signed concepts are quite easy to understand and remember...others not so much. Anyway, that's my question. I wait patiently for an answer.

I tend to think it matters a fair bit where you live. If you are learning Swahili then I suppose it would most certainly be easier to learn if you lived with people's in Africa that spoke Swahili. It's the same with learning Sign Language from any part of the world. If you immerse yourself into Deaf Culture then you will learn the language more fluently. Also, one thing I learned very quickly is if you do not use the new language often then you will forget it. If you don't use it you'll lose it.

I think it would depend on the language. Since I would not actually be learning to speak it because I can't actually hear the way most letter sounds are made, then it might come easier learning to read and write a language. I have picked up bits of various languages over the years...particularly Mexican Spanish and French because they are written on just about everything you buy anymore. (I say Mexican Spanish because there IS differences in the language in Mexico and Spain.) I can read a little bit of Hebrew, French, Spanish, Latin, Greek, Gaelic and some others. A dictionary that gives translation and pronunciations of the words of ANY language is definitely a must too.

I love dead languages. Manx, Egyptian, Ancient Greek, Latin, Norse and lots of others. Cuniform/Sumerian would be awesome to see on here. Just a suggestion. Any chance of my suggestion happening?

I think the lack of decent grammar and spelling is due to a LOT of things. Short hand texting on cell phones is a big one to be sure, but what was the excuse before cell phones and such things came a long? Some people have dyslexia and never really learn to read or write very well; still others might just be too lazy to learn. For some folks, it just might be that spelling and grammar are just really hard for them to understand while they excel at maths and sciences. Sometimes it's just due to the way you're wired. :wacky:

Too and Also pretty much mean the same thing and they are used interchangeable. I tend to use 'also' when 'too' doesn't fit so well in the sentence placement. So, it sounds like you are doing pretty well, 003, with going on instinct. Saying a sentence out loud to see how it sounds is always a good thing to do as well. I do that ALL the time when I am writing. I'll say it out loud and I'll also step back for a minute and then go back and read my sentence or paragraph and see if I can improve it.

I improve my grammar by reading and writing. I read and write...A LOT. Everyday. I suggest reading authors like Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, Carl Hiaasen, Jim Butcher, J.R.R. Tolkien, Roger Zelazney, Stephen King and lots of other great authors to help improve your grammar, spelling and punctuation. When you're reading, and you start reading a lot, you'll tend to start recognizing styles of writing as well as remembering how the sentences and paragraphs were constructed; as well as the sort of punctuation used. Reading and writing. Works like a charm.

For me, the hardest thing is, without a doubt, speaking another language. I can learn to read and write another language fairly easily, but speaking it is a whole other ball of wax. I have problems with detecting all the sounds of a word. The inflections and nuances of the sounds of a language and it's words. So, reading and writing another language actually comes easier to me than speaking a language. It's the same with my own native American English. It's much easier for me to write and convey what I am trying to say to a person than speaking it. I use A.S.L. a lot too.

Oh yes. I have a very southern accent as I was born in Savannah, Georgia, U.S.A. as well as a "deafie" accent. Because of the two accents colliding I have been told I actually sound a bit English. Not sure exactly how that could possibly be, but that is what I am told. I am a fair bit hard-of-hearing and that is with my hearing aids, without them I am deaf. I went for sometime before I got them and so my speech had somewhat deteriorated because I really couldn't hear myself. I've had some speech therapy but it seems the ' deafie accent' has sort of stuck.

Hello! I'm Hoodoowytch and I am so glad to be here! I just LOVE languages and writing....they are a passion of mine. Particularly Dead Languages. I am also VERY Hard of Hearing/Deaf. I wasn't always this way, so I at least have a grasp and understanding of sound and language. I have been learning Sign Language from various parts of the world and I am pretty fluent in American Sign Language. Recently, since both my hubby and myself became semi-retired, I have a lot more time to devote to writing and study of languages. I want to learn Ancient Greek, Manx, Egyptian and many others.