What is the language that you would like to learn?

Discussion in 'History and Culture' started by kilgram, Nov 3, 2011.

  1. Collateral Damage

    Collateral Damage Well-Known Member

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    Scots Gaelic. I know a few words already, but no one will teach me the really good ones, lol.

    I speak just a bit in 5 different languages, enough to ask for the bathroom without being shot.

    Maybe.
     
  2. Thought Criminal

    Thought Criminal Well-Known Member Donor

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    Thank you!

    The school started me on French lessons at age 9, in what we call fourth grade. I continued throughout my time in what we call grade school.

    In my one visit to France, I could eventually be understood by whichever victim that I inflicted myself upon. They had to work hard to understand me.

    As I said, I just don't want to put forth the effort. But your gracious offer is sincerely appreciated.
     
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  3. unkotare

    unkotare Well-Known Member

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    Enough of a damn to make the claim.
     
  4. Blaster3

    Blaster3 Well-Known Member

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    placing words not spoken...

    an opinion is not a claim...

    learn the difference...
     
  5. unkotare

    unkotare Well-Known Member

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    You said "a few decades from now, english [sic] will be the only language spoken worldwide..."

    That is a claim.
     
  6. Blaster3

    Blaster3 Well-Known Member

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    definition > claim: to state that something is true or is a fact

    explain how a prediction of the future can be considered true or factual...

    it's an opinion...

    learn the difference...
     
  7. unkotare

    unkotare Well-Known Member

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    You made the claim that this will come to be. You didn't say it "might" happen, or "it's possible." If you wish to withdraw your claim, feel free.
     
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  8. Blaster3

    Blaster3 Well-Known Member

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    'come to be' is either a premonition or an opinion...

    still not a claim...

    try again...
     
  9. unkotare

    unkotare Well-Known Member

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    You fail at semantics. Withdraw the claim and move on if it embarrasses you so much.
     
  10. Blaster3

    Blaster3 Well-Known Member

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    learn the difference or keep on keepin on...

    embarrassment is a word of the weak minded individual...

    have you ever jumped out of your vehicle while stopped at a traffic light, dropped drawers and took a dump, used your socks to wipe your arse, pulled up your pants, jumped back in your vehicle and waited for the light to turn green...

    yep, i've done that...
     
  11. unkotare

    unkotare Well-Known Member

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    Let it go.

    As for the traffic light; TMI.
     
  12. Ritter

    Ritter Well-Known Member

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    To be honest, no. English is the language used in business and trade and in today's high-tech world, the best language to learn is a programming one.

    I am fluent in four languages and have not had any "wider" use of this, so called, asset outside of family interactions. I mainly only use the language of the country I live in and English.

    Learning another language is fun and uselful if you want to learn another language, but it should not be a requirement for everyone because not everyone finds it fun and useful.
     
  13. VotreAltesse

    VotreAltesse Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    I think it's great to developp your brain and an important part of education for me.
     
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  14. Ritter

    Ritter Well-Known Member

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    I agree, but I still would not call it an asset.

    I took French for five years, but it has been just as long since I took it. It isstill on a decent level and I have been able to speak to natives. Great language, but a grammar from hell. :)
     
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  15. VotreAltesse

    VotreAltesse Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    The problem of the rules of french is that they were decided by latin user that created an elaborate grammar so only an elite could master it, in the 16th century, that's quite unfortunate.
    A lot of silent letters for instance exist because of the latin or greek origin of the word, even if there is no reasons anymore to be in the word.
     
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  16. Ritter

    Ritter Well-Known Member

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    Yeah. I do not think the pronounciation is that difficult though since French is fairly consistent in that regard. However, conjugations and tenses are terribly difficult for a foreigner to master.

    I still make myself understood and have managed to surprise even myself in conversation with French speaking exchange students. I can understand more than I can speak, but still not that awful at speaking. :)
     
  17. Thingamabob

    Thingamabob Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    I speak the languages I've wanted to speak. If I want to speak an additional one later I'll learn it. No problem.
    People think rules are meant to teach you a language. It's not true. Rules are a map of the language as it is used. They are not there to teach, they are there to inform.
     
    Last edited: Jan 24, 2020
  18. Bezukhov

    Bezukhov Active Member

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    At the moment I have Duolingo on my phone. The menu is:
    German, 'cause it's a challenge
    Spanish, it's practical. And it's a lot of fun.
    French: I think it's the most beautiful language in the world

    What I really want is to at least learn how to read Russian. Huge fan of Russian literature.
     
  19. unkotare

    unkotare Well-Known Member

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    I think Italian or Portuguese sounds nicer than French. Mandarin is more poetic.
     
  20. The Rhetoric of Life

    The Rhetoric of Life Banned

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    Mandarin.
    I know more Japanese than Chinese.
    I studied Japanese, don't know any Chinese, I wish this was different, I wish I could speak some Chinese, and read it too.
    I know how to read and speak a little Japanese.
     
    Last edited: Apr 22, 2020
  21. unkotare

    unkotare Well-Known Member

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    Mandarin seems like a good choice, and is a very interesting language to learn, but you'll find that most Chinese people you need to interact with are very likely more fluent in English than a native speaker is likely to become in Mandarin for at least 5 years. In addition, Chinese people who can speak English often seem uncomfortable speaking Mandarin with a native English speaker unless it is necessary or that person is quite fluent in Mandarin. All that time and energy might - just might - be better devoted to learning another language.
     
  22. Thingamabob

    Thingamabob Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    I you believe. The grammar french is difficult.
     
    Last edited: May 4, 2020
  23. pitbull

    pitbull Banned Donor

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    I'd like to speak like a true Londoner ...

     
  24. The Rhetoric of Life

    The Rhetoric of Life Banned

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    That video's so fake lol 'he said mate'.
    We're not Australian, we don't say Mate, we say Guv'.
    No offense, but this guy looks like his parents were immigrants and he's trying too hard to be Cockney.

    My father's tongue.
    He taught us Cockney growing up.

    To speak Cockney, you have to drop the H' sound from words that begin with H.

    How becomes 'ow, home becomes 'ome, having becomes 'aving, have becomes 'ave, etc, if it begins with an H, you drop it.

    Phrases, Cockney is a language of phrases.

    'ow's your belly full of spots?
    How are you?

    Down the toad.
    Down the road.

    On the camel.
    On the bus.

    Sixes and sevens.
    Crazy.

    Camel = bus.
    Toad = road
    Moggy = cat
    Guv' / Guv'nor = address a guy you don't know.
    China = buddy
    Apples and pears = stairs

    But remember, lose the H sound from H words.


    Believe it not, but my father grew up acting in the same neighbourhood as this actor and knew him before he was called Michael Caine (same vocation, same neighbourhood, same time in history); This above clip is Cockney.
     
    Last edited: May 4, 2020
  25. The Rhetoric of Life

    The Rhetoric of Life Banned

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    Also, my father played us (his brood) cockney music he used to love.


    I remember hearing these as a little kid and him singing them to us.
    The cockney music genre called Music-Hall.

    A Cockney Knees Up just means partying Cockney style; Knees up means party.
     
    Last edited: May 4, 2020
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