takibari

Translating poetry is indeed a challenging task. I don't think I can do it. The best I can do if ever I attempt to translate a poem is to get to the 'meaning' it wish to convey. Not so much the translation word for word. Writing poems is an art form, and for me, you kind of lose the form once you translate it as there will never be perfect correspondence between original and target language.

Wow, very interesting. While I don't know what language that was, I sure appreciate that because of this thread, I've learned a new thing: Futhark. It was a very interesting read.

All right, thanks. I'll go check it out. I just sense that he's a name to watch out for or should I say stay clear from.

Of course, of course! The translations aren't necessarily bad. I guess it's safe to say that there will always be NO perfect correspondence between the original and translated text. Primarily because the two languages are different on their own. The original and the translation may share the same meaning, but there will always be that 'zing' that's missing.

Hello! Sorry, first time to hear about Benny Lewis. Who is he? Perhaps there are other people out here who wish to learn Mandarin and might be curious as well. Of course, his name is just a google away. But I think an opinion from forum members will be more enlightening (haha, sorry - I'm sensing there's an opinion waiting to come out somewhere (why to stay away from his products?).. OR I could be wrong. in which case, just ignore this reply. Promise, I won't get offended if this is ignored, hehe..

I think any game that can help increase familiarity to words is helpful resource. The game as you described allows the learners to review on the words that they have previously learned. Additionally, it's like an 'informal' test on whether the students have built on their vocabulary bank. This game challenges them to recall the words they already know and what's more they're doing it in a fun atmosphere.

I used to hold the perspective that writing is much easier to do than speaking. As the others pointed out, there are a lot of things you will do without when writing, such as being conscious with your intonation, using the appropriate words and what not. Anyway, I'm currently connected to a company teaching the Korean language to Filipinos. We have this student who is truly fluent in Korean (verbally). However, since she just acquired the language through speaking with native Koreans, she finds it hard to write. See, she didn't get formal lessons in learning Korean. Now, it is a challenge for her to write because she's so used to the pronunciation now that translating it into the written form is a bit hard for her. This student's experience has truly changed my perspective on which one is easier between writing and speaking.

No problem. Glad to be of help. I appreciate that you find this Filipino song interesting and beautiful enough to want to know its translation.

Local color. I think that's precisely what gets missing when an original work is translated. While a lot of the essence of the original work might be preserved, there will always a few words or lines there that gets lost in the translation. For example, the Poetry of (Rainer Maria Rilke) while I enjoy the English translations, I still feel that I'm missing something.

Disclaimer: My native tongue is Cebuano. So, my Filipino might be a little off. But I hope this helps. Habang Kayakap Ka While Embracing You (While in your embrace) Sa bawa’t nagdaang araw --- In each day that passed Hinahanap-hanap ------------ (I'm) missing Iyong mga lambing ---------- your tenderness (affection) Dama lang sa ‘yong piling --- which is only felt by your side Sa tamis ng pagsinta'y ---- The sweetness of your love nangungulila --------------- (I) long Uhaw sa ‘yong halik ------- Craving for your kisses Sa t’wina’y nananabik ---- Oftentimes yearning Nanlalamig na puso’y ating pagbigyan --- (Let's) give in to our cool hearts Sa gabing ito, ako’y iyo lamang --- Just for tonight, I'm yours alone Chorus: Ibubulong habang kayakap ka --- (I'll) whisper while embracing you Ibibigay ngayong kapiling ka --- (I'll) give now that you're by my side Ang nadarama na init ng pagmamahal --- all the warmth of the love I feel Habang ating pinapatila ang ulan --- While waiting for the rain to stop T’wing ako’y umiidlip -----Each time I fall asleep Nananaginip ----- (I) dream ‘Yong labing kay tamis ----- (of) your sweet lips Yakap mong kay higpit ------ your tight embrace At sa pagbuhos ng ulan, ----- As the rain pours Tayo’y sumilong ------------- let's take cover (shelter) Pawiin ang lamig ------------ dissipate the cold Pag-ibig ay damhin ---------- (Let's) feel the love

Talk about perspective!!! Upon reading the original post, I was so ready to say to just not take heart what the other person is doing. If the person is not helping, then go find someone else (even if that person is essential in your learning process.) BUT with Bloomsie's reply, I was enlightened to the reality of what she was saying. NOT everyone who knows the target language is eager to help learners. Some find learners annoying. Thus, they avoid contact with them. Anyhow, I also feel your frustration especially if you look up to that person to be the key resource for your learning process. So, just press on. Depend on your own motivation.

I've heard of TED Talks before. I used to watch some of their videos. They have very interesting topics and speakers there. However, it's my first time to hear about OTP Project. Did you say you made a presentation for TED Talks? Wow! That's truly great. TED Talks speakers are shakers in their field. So, yeah congratulations for being one of the speakers.

I only saw two episodes of Black Mirror. They were wickedly good. My first impression was like 'wow! this show is different'. I say it's wickedly good because I actually was confused when I first saw it. I can't exactly pinpoint what it was about the show that made me like it. I thought it was weird, too but at the back of my mind I'm convinced that they were good shows. Regrettably, I was unable to find follow-up episodes of the show.

I don't intentionally use English just to practice. In regular situations, I turn to my native tongue. But since my work involves the use of English, then I get to 'practice' it on a regular basis. For entertainment purposes, I however, prefer watching English movies and TV dramas. Primarily because doing so challenges me and forces me to sharpen my listening and comprehension skills.

Everyone's given great advice. I'm not sure if there's anything more I could add. I think everything can be sum up to just one; immersion. As everyone suggested, the more you immerse yourself in the target language, the more you can easily acquire the new language. Things like listening to news daily, watching TV or listening to music in the target language can enhance familiarity in the language.

I, too, see that writing is a bit more restrictive compared to speaking. But could you care to elaborate on what you meant by rigid barriers, lushlala? I mean, what specific examples do you think beginners struggle with that hinders them from acquiring speaking skills. I'm thinking along the lines that if newbies are aware what these barriers are, they can better find a way to deal with those issues.

Are these your new reads? If it is, I'm glad you're back to reading. Guess, you have the time now. Anyway, Winesburg sounds familiar. I may have read one of his stories or two. But I can't recall now. I maybe wrong. If I've more time in my hands, I'll go check out your recommendations myself.

Writing is only second priority to me. I get more satisfaction if I acquire speaking skill first. Being able to speak the new language is a bit satisfying especially if you can successfully engage another person using the new language. The feedback is immediate compared to writing. But I do believe that acquiring the writing skill should not go far behind in your language acquisition goal.

English is widely spoken in my country. Among my friends, we have the tendency to use English more than our native tongue. It's primarily because there are thoughts that are easily expressed in English. Having native-English speaking friends is definitely a big help when you are trying to improve your English. There are nuances in the language that only the native speaker can offer. In my case, we have a Korean colleague, but was raised in the US since he was two years old. So, that's the closest I have to a native-English speaker. It can be quite challenging to speak with him, but thankfully I can get by, LOL!

Just out of curiosity. Have you made the plunge to a career change? Have you started teaching Business English as you planned? If you have, how did it go? Was it hard? What adjustments did you have in making the shift?

We'll we can only speculate as to why the people you've described have forgotten their own language. IF they are only 'pretending' to have forgotten their own language, then only they know the reasons for it. Each of us has a reason for doing the things we do. In some cases, our actions may not be logical or incomprehensible to another person, but to us, it makes perfect sense. Having and being perfectly comfortable to one's own identity may make sense to you, but to the next person, it can be seen as pointless. This only goes to say that things are truly relative.

How long is 'for a while'? In any case, I think watching English-only TV as the SOLE exposure to the language can only help to a certain extent. Language is a dynamic thing. If you don't use much of it, then there is the tendency that you will lose it, especially IF the foreign language you've just acquired has not been TOTALLY IMPRINTED in your mind. Watching TV alone can prove difficult. You'll probably improve your comprehension level on things heard orally, but won't have anything to add with regards to your writing skills. Remember speaking and writing are two different skill sets. I think it's best to supplement your TV watching. For example, you can keep a journal or a blog (doesn't have to be published) to express your thoughts and opinions on the show you just watched. The speaking skill might be difficult, the best you can accomplish here is just mimicking what's on TV. NOT having someone to interact with will be challenging to your 'speaking' skill.

It is damn hilarious! If I say so myself. Nothing can spoil anger better than spewing wrongly used expressions. I can just imagine the person supposedly getting the brunt of the anger trying to keep from laughing because what the angry person is saying is no longer making sense due to intense anger. Not to mention the look on the angry person's face while trying to think of the right words to say. Again, plain hilarious!

To summarize, in order to avoid confusion - determine the function. Is it being used as an object or as a subject?

I personally haven't taught business English. But the Japanese company we once worked with had preference for Pearson's Market Leader Series. You can check out the books here --> http://www.market-leader.net/coursebook.html I've seen most of the books in the series and I've to say, it's one of the greatest Business English books I've come across. The English is flawless and the samples are very relevant. I think each of the Market Leader books is very comprehensive, presenting different scenarios involving varied departments of a company (Marketing, Human Resources, Sales etc.)!