Re: Let's talk about langages (Advice/Help)

From: Q=A9N=A5ikuli=2C_Willi=E5m=A9=22?= (hmmm_at_thisisbetterthan.MSOexpress)
Date: 08/14/04 

Date: Sat, 14 Aug 2004 14:58:26 GMT

Mxsmanic wrote:

>
> One is my native language; the other I learned out of personal interest.
> I've briefly studied a few others, but never long enough to develop any
> useful ability in those other languages.

What do you consider "useful" ability? Speaking fluently? Being able to
ask for a beer? Knowing Grammar structure? Knowing the most vocabular? etc?

>>So, I grew up in France. I was in France from 2-9, but I went to an
>>American school. Still I was exposed to a lot of French. Never ever
>>really got fluent, but I have the accent and pronounciation in me.
>
>
> Accent and pronunciation are not wired in. Your early experience might
> provide enough memories to help you if you were to pursue the language
> again, however.

Well,apparently I picked it up very fast after a 10 year layoff ("you
speak and read very well, are you Francophone?" many instrutors have
asked me). As an example, others seem to have problems with that 'r' in
*r*egarde*r*ai. Or problems with the 'g' in Paris St. *G*ermain.

>>It's pretty much French with a different dictionary!
>
>
> Only as compared to Chinese.

I don't understand what you mean.

>>1) Does it matter that you can't understand audio?
>
>
> If you ever wish to converse in the language, yes, it matters a lot.

You missunderstand. I realize the importance of all three areas
(listening, reading, and speaking) I mean for learning purposes, at an
early stage, should I be trying to listen to streams of RAI even if I
don't understand it well enough?

>>2) I'm greedy. I want to learn another language. I'm torn. Is it a bad
>>idea to start learning a THIRD language while I'm at staggered levels
>>of French and Italian? It won't mess me up will it?
>
>
> It depends on your goals. It takes about two years of nearly full-time
> study to go from zero to a reasonable level of fluency in a foreign
> language of the same family as your own (e.g., another European
> language). If you jump from one to another you're not going to develop
> this fluency. However, it's up to you. Some people really do pick up
> languages extraordinarily fast, but most simply don't realize how little
> they've learned until they are actually forced to use the languages
> they've been studying.

Hmm.

> Remember, it took you a decade to learn your native language.
>
>
>>The main thing is that I want to be better at what I'm doing, and I'm
>>finding it really rewarding when I see or hear the odd phrases in
>>movies or print, and I recognize them because of my studies!
>
>
> Then this might not be the moment to start on yet another language.

Thanks for your advice!

Which are your two languages?

Relevant Pages

  • Re: I have no programming experience. Would you recommend C?
    ... Also how do you suggest that I learn it?What books/tutorials should I ... expressive yet simple language, which is also very popular, then C, (or ... learning purposes, with lesser flexibility, perhaps you should consider ... group and it's FAQ are great resources too. ...
    (comp.lang.c)
  • Re: I have no programming experience. Would you recommend C?
    ... Also how do you suggest that I learn it?What books/tutorials should I ... expressive yet simple language, which is also very popular, then C, (or ... learning purposes, with lesser flexibility, perhaps you should consider ... C Programming Language" second edition by Kernighan and Ritchie. ...
    (comp.lang.c)
  • Re: I have no programming experience. Would you recommend C?
    ... It really depends on your flair. ... expressive yet simple language, which is also very popular, then C, (or ... learning purposes, with lesser flexibility, perhaps you should consider ... C Programming Language" second edition by Kernighan and Ritchie. ...
    (comp.lang.c)
  • Re: I have no programming experience. Would you recommend C?
    ... It really depends on your flair. ... expressive yet simple language, which is also very popular, then C, (or ... learning purposes, with lesser flexibility, perhaps you should consider ... C Programming Language" second edition by Kernighan and Ritchie. ...
    (comp.lang.c)
  • Re: The old who/whom again
    ... Acquiring fluency in the language ... With some teachers, they will never attain ... ability to communicate. ...
    (alt.usage.english)