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Linguaholic

lushlala

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Everything posted by lushlala

  1. I often hang out with expat friends who are keen to learn the local language. There are a few awkward but also funny moments here and there as they try to get their tongues and brains wrapped around the language, but I don't think we've yet experienced anything embarrassing. The approach that we've taken is for them to just go with the flow, and basically have fun with it. Of course, as with any language learners, you just encourage them to practice as much as possible, be their sounding board and their guide. You don't want the experience to become a chore and something that they end up hating because of the negative experience.
  2. Wow, that's understandable @Nekomimi_mode......I always thought Chinese or any other langue that employs the use of characters in place of letters would be hard to learn. I would imagine in this case, speaking would always prove easier, as you've experienced. It would be interesting to know how you would fare learning a new language that used letters of the alphabet, not characters; whether you'd still hold the same view?
  3. Aww @Mameha....thanks so much, you say the kindest things! I wish we had more people like you in the world What a coincidence, ei? Yes, I knew that Ferrara was referred to as 'the city of the bicycle' because people there cycle everywhere. In fact, my host family was very surprised to learn I couldn't ride a bike. The lady then tried to teach me, but we never got anywhere because my coordination is so bad, I was rubbish! We just kept collapsing in fits of laughter, so we gave up. So I'd take the little girl to school on foot, then pick her up when she finished. Oh man, I have VERY fond memories of Ferrara. Before we moved to Ferrara, we were out in the sticks, just outside of Ferrara in a little place called Stienta......I LOVED it, too!
  4. @czarina84.....you make a very good point because in as much as animals don't communicate in a language that's comprehensible to us humans, they DO have their own language(s). I mean, some of it can even be observed in the way animals interact with their human friends. To me, there's some level of communication there. These animals even show a degree of understanding when spoken to. But I think in the context of this conversation, when people say they can't can't talk, it's in reference to how human speak and articulate their speech and thought processes.
  5. Hehe that's fine then, @Blaveloper LOL i could almost feel the joke in your post, but i just had to make sure. that bit about the animals just made me giggle LOL But on a serious note, I didn't know much about Esperanto before. So I did a bit of poking around and found out it's the most widely spoken constructed language and that it actually dates back to 1887! It's all very interesting. Do you speak any Esperanto? Think I may look for an audio clip because I'm intrigued!
  6. @Blaveloper, your comment ..."If it would have been a natural thing, then why animals can't speak any language (except for parrots)?" made me laugh out loud! Were you being serious or pedantic?! Anyway, @ Mechanic1c, i've never had any first hand experience of these 'constructed languages" . I think I've heard of Esperanto, but I really don't know anything about it or any others. But it would definitely be interesting to hear one spoken. Whether or not I'd take the time to learn one, I don't know.
  7. That sounds very interesting! It's also very noble and generous of you to offer up so much of your time and resources to help those who are interested in the culture and language. It's very rare to come across such a fantastic offer, all for free. I bet you'll get some takers here. But I probably won't join up, as I don't think I'll have much use for the language. Thank you very much, though
  8. I lived in Ferrara, and I absolutely loved it. I found it to be a pretty town with very warm people. They used to make me laugh though, when they'd compliment me on my 'nice tan'.....oh yes, my natural tan LOL On a serious note....everywhere i went, I made friends. Most people seemed friendly and welcoming, and as is usually the case, the minute I started to speak in Italian, they opened up even more. It never mattered that my Italian was nowhere near perfect. In fact, they'd express how well I was doing in the short time I'd been there. I hope to return to Ferrara one day in the future
  9. It's a pleasure, @pesic87.....I reckon you'd probably struggle with the pronunciation because a lot of the sounds are very unusual LOL You see a lot of letter combinations that you don't often see in other languages, for instance. But get this, for some reason, I've observed that Americans don't seem to struggle in picking up Setswana! I really wish i had an answer as to why Americans would fare better at it than say the English; it beats me.
  10. I envy you, @Saholy! In my head, learning to speak my chosen foreign language before ever setting foot in a formal setting to learn all the grammar is very much my ideal situation. I don't know, I just feel as if if I did that, I'd find it a lot easier to then put the meat on the bones, so to speak. For some weird reason, my sense of confidence is very closely linked to how well I can speak, not so much how I can write. Well done on your achievement!
  11. Well, it's not a thread wholly based on language, @takibari. But it opens up a lot of questions that hinge around language, culture and identity, something I'm sure people with an interest in languages might find of interest. I know I certainly found it a curious situation, and thus my desire to seek others' views on it. Anyhow, you raise some good points, and I also asked myself the same questions. I found it very curious that the TV presenters who were interviewing her (in all in Spanish) seemed....very precious about what a Mexican should look like, and itched to know what in their minds qualifies as being Mexican. But of course, I couldn't put the question to them. The case of the Filipino presidential candidate is another interesting one. I hope she gets all the support she needs
  12. Ok, maybe that wasn't the best choice of words. It wasn't meant to offend or indeed hit a raw nerve with anyone. I'll rephrase; she doesn't look like what most people would describe as looking like a typical Mexican, which is the argument that these TV presenter were trying to push. I guess the same could be said of someone like Charlize Theron, who many people are often shocked to hear is south African born and bred. I'm not judging, I merely put out a burning question out there, which has had people talking about, each with their own thoughts on the matter; some of which are not very pleasant.
  13. Hehe Now that you say that, I vaguely remember it and what a silly thing to say. But then, some people are just so ignorant, things like that just throw them. These days though, many countries are a melting pot of different cultures. The world has truly become a global village. This also brings to mind the case of that poor white American lecturer who was recently under fire in the media, for claiming to be African American.
  14. I have always said my language Setswana is the least romantic language out there LOL It tends to go around the houses, and is not very 'economic' with words. But here goes: Ntle le wena, Nka se tshele.
  15. I absolutely agree with you @Chris_A....I think it's a huge plus, and in my opinion, the child who received such a gift will never feel out of place in his/her mother or father's country. You really are lucky and have a lot to thank your parents for When (or if) I ever have children of my own, I hope I can do this for them too!
  16. Ok, it's very interesting to note that this doesn't just happen with people here! Just out of interest, how did this come about? I mean, were there any reasons that prevented you teaching them English from a young age? where do you guys live, and could that have contributed? just curious.
  17. Wow, teachers who get annoyed at their students LOL What I find worrying is that they are even willing to openly utter such words! Those are definitely not the types of teacher I'd get involved with. I take it this is a question of being inpatient with slow learners, and/or not wanting to have to lay the foundation for the learning process? It sounds to me as if they'd rather deal with students who've been fully 'prepped' by someone else, which makes their life a lot easier. I'm a teacher by profession, and back when i did used to teach, in as much as teaching can be extremely hard work, I always found it very rewarding knowing I had played an instrumental role in any student's learning process. Knowing that I'd contributed to taking them to a seemingly hopeless situation to a better place was always a big part of what I found fulfilling about teaching. Very interesting!
  18. Oh, and i know exactly the types you mean! They just have to be seen to be the ones in the know. I have a cousin who actually likes to laugh at or make fun of people's English as well as their accent. These types of people really are unaware of the amount of damage they can cause. Because let's face it, if you're timid and lack in confidence to start with, being subjected to this sort of immature behaviour can and will knock your confidence and worsen the situation. Not cool at all.
  19. For me personally, if I had the money and time I'd opt for total immersion. When it comes to foreign language learning, I feel I'm the sort of person who needs to be thrown in at the deep end. Ideally, I'd prefer to be somewhere where not many people speak a language I understand, so that I'm forced to put in some practice and do away with this being shy business. I like Blaveloper's idea of 'immersion first, rules later' because I reckon it would work better for me. It's worked like magic for me when I've done it in the past. I do believe that you can't divorce the rules and grammar from it if you really want to excel at your chosen language. At least that's what I prefer.
  20. @Mameha, I admire your drive and passion for learning English. I have to commend you, because your English is very good....so keep at it, and you WILL only get better over time. After all, practice does make perfect! When I lived in Italy briefly I made friends with a few Italians, and communication was very difficult because I spoke very little Italian and they spoke even less English. But what amazed me was the fact that they were more than happy to meet me halfway. I wonder if me making an effort put them at ease and spurred them on to also put in an effort.
  21. Wow OminHead, I agree with you on everything you've said! There really's no excuse to get pronunciations wrong. I mean, obviously you can't get it all right all of the time. But people can certainly try harder. With advances in modern technology; the internet, TV programs and movies being at their most popular; people could pay more attention through watching and listening to how things are properly said without ever having to leave their country. It's amazing what you can pick up from just those sources! Maybe it comes down to interest and the extent of the passion in relation to language skills for each individual. Maybe some people just don't really care, as long as they can 'communicate' IDK Hehe I like your comment on the 'how do you do' expression! It's very common for people who've learnt English as a second language to stick to very dated text book English that most English speakers don't use in normal day to day situations. I guess you could say we're taught the proper Queen's language, which can come across as being too stiff and old fashioned.
  22. I totally agree with you, Mameha. Sadly, there appears to be people in this country who seem to think it's COOL for their children not speak their own mother tongue. I just find it bizarre and very disturbing. I grew up in a mixed house, but interestingly we all speak both English and Setswana. I also have people close to me who share my sentiments and ensure their children get the best of both worlds. We can only hope and pray that my language and culture don't disappear. Thanks, Mameha
  23. I know what you mean about learning from someone who may not have the proper pronunciation down pat! It can be very frustrating and you then have to go back and undo all those 'bad habits' you inherited from them. A classic example is of many state school teachers in Botswana teaching English. Although they have English Degrees and all that, sometimes their pronunciation leaves A LOT to be desired, and their teaching obviously falls short. That's why it's easy to distinguish state educated people from privately educated ones in Botswana. Sadly, some people, especially those who haven't travelled outside of Botswana, show no interest to reverse the damage caused by their former teachers. Or they simply don't know what's wrong and what's right, because that's all they've ever known.
  24. I just read what I find a very strange article! Controversy and a heated debate has erupted around actress Lupita Nyong'o's ethnicity. The long and short of it, she's been doing the rounds promoting her latest movie and off the back of that, it has emerged that she regards herself as being "Mexican-Kenyan'. Clearly, to look at her, she's not Latina. But she feels she has every right to declare herself as such because although she was born Kenyan parents, she was also born in Mexico. She was then raised in Kenya and educated in the US. Lupita also speaks fluent Spanish. Her claims of being "Mexican Kenyan" have led to to some Latino TV presenters heatedly insisting she's no Latina lady, while her defenders feel she has every right to identify herself as such. What are your thoughts on this; in your opinion, what defines your ethnicity? Do you feel Lupita has a right to say she's "Mexican African"?
  25. Botswana has a lot of mixed race/interracial couples, me being one. I don't have children of my own yet, but I've observed that many interracial couples don't seem to care to teach their children Setswana. Many of these children tend to speak English only and can't communicate with their elderly relatives. I know it's their prerogative, but I also feel it's a crying shame. If or when I have children, I'd like to believe I'd do everything to ensure they learn about both mine and their father's culture, as well as both languages. What's your take on this?
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