takibari

Wow! Interesting. Am I correct to assume that the general idea of 'kipi' is just for two people with different language backgrounds have a 'common language' to use enough for them to get by? Meaning, through the use of kipi, they're able to communicate only the basics given that there are only 30 words in all. Generally, extended discussions won't be the goal for kipi?

I haven't used it myself. But if we speak of its usefulness as a tool to learning a new language, I'd say it's a great tool. I think it can be an effective tool because to me anything that allows a person to have a 'more experience' of something, creates a bigger impression and impact on one's learning. By 'more experience', I'm talking about the 'active' things you do, such as the listening to the song, the act of writing down the lyrics, then getting help from good old dictionary to make sense of the words. All these help create memory and facilitate better recall.

Off the top of my head, probably it has something to do with the person's language goal. If the person is just interested in knowing 'just enough' to get by, then it's probably the reason they're OK with reaching the comfort zone. In contrast, from what I just heard from Korean co-workers before, a lot of the Korean students push themselves to studying and improving their English skills MORE because of their American dream to enter U.S. universities. Anyway, I'm not sure this is relevant to the topic. But, the Ministry of Education in Korea, found that the students have become well-versed in pin-pointing grammatical errors, but have difficulty explaining the errors or even constructing sentences. {There is high emphasis on standardized tests in Korea - mostly multiple choice tests}. Thus, there was a change of tactics on the part of the Ministry and added more premium on "speaking". I guess, in a way this how the ministry was pushing the students to get past the "comfort zone" [being good at grammar, but not on other areas] of their students.

I will try to ask her, but I doubt if she would want to. She's too shy of her English ability, and is scared of a strictly English forum, hehe. She's actually more interested in the Korean language. She's now in Level 3.

I think this is a preference issue. As for me, I often think along the line of 'the goal of communication' - which is to appropriately convey a message. If word by word translation is able to communicate the same message as the original, then I'd go for this technique. However, if it is clear that the original text use idioms, then I'd go for translating the textual meaning. As regards word-by-word translation, this might also prove difficult especially if the two languages follow different grammatical syntax.

No problem. Glad to be of help. Extending gratitude to my co-worker who helped translate it.

While I did mention before that I find 'thinking in a foreign language in decision-making' a bit odd, this, however, juggled my memory regarding a discussion back during my university days. Pardon me, but it's been yearssssssssss since I was a college sophomore (circa 1999, haha!). So, I asked my good friend Google and led me to this article: "THINKING IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE MAKES DECISIONS MORE RATIONAL." Anyway, for everyone to have a better idea and for a more livelier discussion, I encourage you guys to read the article. It's an interesting study and might give you a clearer perspective.

I find this a bit odd. Primarily because to me decision-making has a lot to do with weighing the pros and cons of things. I doubt if I can make the best decision to a given dilemma if I have to express the pros and cons in a different language. Besides, if I were to weigh things and use a foreign language, I'm only deluding myself.

Sorry. But this is wee confusing for me, too. I think a better guidelines has to be provided. But then again, if you are allowed to speak and you know the name of destination, then simply asking for directions as you go along is the way to go, hehe.

I'm not sure I understand what you are trying to point out here. So, I will just base my understanding on the title of the thread. I have a co-worker who's trying to learn our local language, Cebuano. So, every time he hears phrases from locals and he doesn't understand them. He basically would type those phrases in his cellphone. He would then ask as the next day what it means and in what context those phrases should be used. He checks on these phrases he's written on his cellphone from time to time, and update as he goes along. I believe writing the meaning of the local phrases he heard has helped improved his understanding. Although, he's still not fluent in the local language yet, he can now get by on his own speaking to locals in our language.

Hmmm. Wow, I can't seem to think of one, haha! I tried to look for one in youtube, but unfortunately I couldn't find one with English subtitles. Anyway, there's this movie a long time ago called "Muro Ami". It's about the life of children working as reef hunters. I believe it's one of the good Filipino movies.

Thank you! I like our tropical weather than the cold, too. I don't think I can thrive in the winter season. I was in HongKong once, and their temperature during December was I think around 10 degrees or lower, and boy did I have a hard time. Although, I would want to experience snow at least once God-willing. Yep, we are a happy bunch even with a lot of problems around. Funny, I don't know Zendee Rose until you had that song translated. Anyway, here's a video of something you can expect from our country. Hope you can experience the Philippines, sometime soon!

Oh, the movies. I forgot Anyway, the Philippines is a tropical country. Though we don't have snow, the weather during December can get colder. (Cold by our standards, at least! Probably just around 18 to 24 degrees. I know this isn't cold for those with WINTER season). So being cooped up in the house to watch movies during the Christmas season IS NOT a thing here. Although around Christmas time, we have the Manila Film Fest. So, during this period ONLY FILIPINO-produced movies are shown in the cinemas ALL over the country for a week or two. This is a huge bummer to Hollywood movie fans as not a single movie from abroad is shown during the duration of the Film Fest.

Sa Maybahay ang Aming Batì (Tagalog) To The Householder We Greet (English)[3] Sa maybahay, ang aming batì, "Merry Christmas!" na mal'walhatì!" Ang pag-ibig, 'pag siyang nagharì, araw-araw ay magiging Paskô lagì! Koro: Ang sanhî po, ng pagparito, [ay] hihingî po ng aguinaldo. Kung sakaling kamí'y perhwisyo, pasensya na kayó't kamí'y namamaskô!! To the householder we greet, A "Merry Christmas!" that is glorious When Love, if it doth reign, every day will be Christmas always! Chorus: The reason we have come is to ask for gifts. If we happen to be a bother, please be patient, for we are carolling!

Found a few translations of some songs above: Ang Pasko ay Sumapit Christmas Has Arrived (English) Ang Pasko ay sumapit ----------------- Christmas has comeTayo ay mangagsiawit ----------------- Come, let us go forth singingNg magagandáng himig------------------ Beautiful hymnsDahil sa ang Diyos ay pag-ibig ---------- For God is love.Nang si Kristo'y isilang ------------------ When Christ was born,May tatlóng haring nagsidalaw -------- There were three kings who did visit,At ang bawat isá ay nagsipaghandóg -- And each one did presentNg tanging alay.---------------------------- A unique offering.Koro: Chorus:Bagong Taón ay magbagong-buhay --- 'Tis New Year, so we must reform our livesNang lumigayà ang ating Bayan --- That joyful might be our Nation;Tayo'y magsikap upang makamtán ----- Let us strive that we might achieveNatin ang kasaganaan! ----- Prosperity!Tayo'y mangagsiawit----------------Come, let us go forth singing,Habang ang mundó'y tahimik. --- Whilst the world is silentAng araw ay sumapit -------------- The day has arrived,Ng Sanggól na dulot ng langit. --- Of the Infant sent from heaven.Tayo ay magmahalan, ------------ Let us love one another,Ating sundín ang Gintóng Aral --- May we follow the Golden Rule,At magbuhát ngayon, ------------- And from now on-Kahit hindî Paskô ay magbigayan! -- Though it not be Christmas, let us keep giving.

Oh, we're a meat-loving bunch and we love our foods much, haha. In fact, the Christmas season leading to the New Year is like a threat to your diet. Everywhere there's an invite to several parties or get-togethers. The holidays are like one BIG reason to catch up on old friends and families, or simply to party. Sometimes, it's kind of difficult to book these reunions/get-togethers. Popular dish in the Philippines during big celebrations is the infamous "lechon" or roast pig! I don't know, but "queso de bola" [one big ball of cheese] and ''hamon" (ham) are also popular during Christmas. AS to songs, you'll likely to hear English songs played such as Jingle Bells (and curiously, the titles of the other songs currently escape me, haha!! But we do have original Filipino songs that you can typically hear among kids. In the past, a group of kids go from house to house to sing christmas carols. For a song or two, the kids will receive a few coins from the house owners (or sometimes NOT). But due to economic reasons, a lot of the owners don't want kids to do caroling now. So, it's becoming scarce each year. Check out these original Filipino songs: Christmas in our Hearts by Jose Mari Chan and his daughter. This song has become an OPM (original pilipino music) Classic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wxmePzEpFo These are some traditional Filipino Christmas songs: Hope you enjoy them! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foIjK4Jlzkw 00:00 - Ang Pasko ay Sumapit --- Christmas Has Arrived06:21 - Sa Paskong Darating - The Coming Christmas08:54 - Namamasko ( Sa may Bahay ng Aming Bati ) - {Here we come acaroling} [*namamasko - the tradition of visiting family and friends at their houses in the hopes of receiving Christmas gifts from owners)10:29 - Noche Buena - [talks about the food during dinner on Christmas eve]13:30 - Kampana (Bell) ng Simbahan (Church) - {talks about how churches ring their bells to help wake up and remind people about the simbang gabi}16:23 - Ang (The) Magandang (Beautiful) Christmas Tree18:56 - Paskong Anong Saya ( Bati Nami'y Merry Christmas ) - A Christmas that's so joyous21:36 - Misa De Gallo - Midnight Mass (Misa de Gallo culminates the Simbang Gabi I mentioned earlier)24:05 - Ang (The) Diwa (Essence) ng Pasko (of Christmas) -

Here in the Philippines, Christmas is a most-loved holiday. In fact, as early as the first 'ber' month (September), you'll start seeing people putting on Christmas decors in their homes. Inside malls, you're bound to hear Christmas songs being played. A few things that anna3101 mentioned are also expected in the Philippines. Some homes put up their 'fake' trees (we don't use pine trees or something) and place gifts underneath the tree. During December, you'll also expect a lot of reunions among families, friends, classmates, etc. On the eve of Christmas, families and friends gather together and feast on a variety of dishes to welcome Christmas day. We call this Christmas dinner "Noche Buena!" (Not exactly Tagalog. Know that the Philippines was under Spain for more than 300 years!) The country being primarily a Catholic country, Catholic churches have this tradition of "Simbang Gabi" (literally, Going to Church at Night!) Simbang gabi is a 9-day novena that starts on December 16 and ends on Christmas day. Oddly, simbang gabi happens early dawn (probably 3 or 4 A.M), and NOT in the evening at all! It is said that if you successfully finish the 9-day novena (attend church every single day), your prayer petition will be answered. New Year is highly celebrated, too. Its counterpart dinner is called "Media Noche". People again feast on a host of food at the strike of 12 midnight. Useful words and expressions - Tagalog / (Cebuano) Happy New Year! - Maligayang Bagong Taon! / (Maayong Bag.ong Tuig!) Merry Christmas - Maligayang Pasko! / (Maayong Pasko!) Wrap presents - Magbalot ng regalo / (Mamutos ug regalo*) [haha, I don't know the Cebuano of gift Don't forget my gift - Huwag kalimutan ang regalo ko / (Ayaw kalimti ang akong regal) Cook food - Magluto ng pagkain / (Maglung-ag ug pagkaon)

It is indeed Hangul! Anyway, I asked someone from work and according to her it reads as: insaeng-eun neomo siwon hagoissda! Closest translation is "Life's too cool!" Although, the following is google translates' version of: Life is too cool! 인생은 너무 멋지다. 인생은 = insaeng-eun (life) 너무 = neomo (too) 멋지다. = meosjida (is cool) (kindly delete the reply prior to this one. sorry, slow internet connection. thought, the previous one didn't go through) Deleted your double post as per request. ~Blaveloper

Transcription as a method of learning a language is quite new to me. I personally have not used it. But it can be a useful tool as regards familiarity of common occurring words. It can prove helpful in improving a person's conversational skill, I think. At least, in the aspect of one getting used to words being string along together. It's like you imitating the words heard. However, in this method, learning is limited only to having the ability to repeat what were spoken. A case of learning by imitation. Comprehension is lost as learner, especially a beginner, has no way of knowing the meaning of the words/phrases heard.

Having a teacher whom you can interact is definitely an advantage to language learning. The company I work with develops programs to aid Filipinos learn Korean. Our programs were successful in teaching English to Koreans. Thinking that it could work the same way, we employed the same programs in teaching Filipinos learn Korean. Unfortunately, the results weren't the same. To many of our Filipino students, using technology alone is not as effective as when they have one-on-one sessions with our Korean teacher.

Not stupid at all. There seems to be an assumption that because you are a local, then you probably know ALL the words in your language. I remember a comment from a Korean co-worker before who was surprised that I don't know the local equivalent of English words. He pointed out that since I'm local, I SHOULD know how to say things in the vernacular. NOT knowing ALL the words in your language is clearly indicative that language is truly dynamic. Exposure, exposure is key. If you are exposed to old people who seem to know deep-rooted words, then there's a chance that you'll have a wider vocabulary compared to someone who may be local but continuously use the second language in his daily communication.

This is nice. I added a few equivalent Tagalog idioms. Just realized that there are also many Tagalog idioms, but can't seem to think of the exact English equivalents. Some of the English idioms listed are also new to me. How about adding a "meaning" column after the English column. Perhaps, with the meaning - it might trigger an equivalent idiom of the local language.

Haha! I had the same exact feeling. I thought it was also a bug and didn't think much of it. But with everyone seemingly active on board, I figured it only affected me. I was about to message Admin to ask if there's something I need to do since I noticed that the problem only occurred a little after the changes in the site. Curiously, sending a message also won't work because the text box just wouldn't appear, haha.. Luckily, I came across this specific thread and saw the 'clearing cache' advice. I was about to download Chrome as it was the browser mentioned in the post, but before downloading I figured to follow the advice first, and voila! SO, haappy I can post now even if I'm using Firefox. Yay! Anyway, this is a tad late, but I too like the new theme. Though I agree with those that it has leanings towards a Chinese Mandarin vibe. Still, I like it.

It is truly frustrating for us who only speak English as a second language to be treated as second class citizens to native speakers. I agree that English being only our second language, there is truly some limitation to our capacity. But language schools should give us a little bit of credit. Hire English teachers on the basis of capacity and ability to teach the language and NOT on the basis of whether it is one's first or second language. I agree with the poster who said that sometimes the credential of the native speaker is only at the superficial level. Of course, they speak with perfect intonation but when it comes down to explaining sentence structure, grammar and what not, the native speakers can be found wanting. (Of course, I'm not speaking about the native speakers who truly have the credentials to teach.) I guess focus should be given on ability. Native speakers will always have that edge over second-language speakers. But at least, native speakers should at least live up to that expectation and be able to transfer learning effectively. It is a rip-off to those who are trying to learn English and end up not learning anything because the native speaker fails to explain things.

I personally don't swear myself. Swearing to me is plain offensive regardless of the language used. I have a Korean co-worker who is learning our local language. I see that he's only having fun with it. It's not like he means those when he says them in our language. I say this because he often laughs every time he use them primarily because he can't get the intonation right. In any case, the swear words in the second language may sound cute spoken by a foreigner, but to the local who's listening to it won't find it cute especially if directed at them.