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Learning a new language
GrimmyTOA
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So.
I've decided to improve my mind a bit and pick up a useful skill at the same time. Learning a new language seems to me to be a good way to kill both of those birds with a single stone, so that's what I've decided to do.
Great so far, right? Here's what I need help with.
A) What language should I learn? I'm not particularly picky about the actual utility of the language. I know that I should learn Mandarin or Spanish, but I'm in this more for interest's sake than to improve my business acumen. I'm looking for a language that will be useful occasionally (at least once in my life would be nice), and more importantly fun to learn. I don't feel any particular need to struggle with eighteen tonal inflections, to be honest. I'm also more interested in speaking than writing the language, although if I can pick up the latter skill too, then great.
How shall I go about learning said language? I'm not really in a position to scamper off and immerse myself in a foreign culture right now (although I'd love to do so once I've built up some basic competence), so something more local would be ideal. I've heard good things about Berlitz courses and the like. I've also heard mixed reviews of various language software programs (Rosetta Stone etc etc). Anyone have any experience with either of those two styles of learning?
Anyone have any advice in general?
Thanks in advance.
P.S. -> I speak English and can get by in French already.
I've decided to improve my mind a bit and pick up a useful skill at the same time. Learning a new language seems to me to be a good way to kill both of those birds with a single stone, so that's what I've decided to do.
Great so far, right? Here's what I need help with.
A) What language should I learn? I'm not particularly picky about the actual utility of the language. I know that I should learn Mandarin or Spanish, but I'm in this more for interest's sake than to improve my business acumen. I'm looking for a language that will be useful occasionally (at least once in my life would be nice), and more importantly fun to learn. I don't feel any particular need to struggle with eighteen tonal inflections, to be honest. I'm also more interested in speaking than writing the language, although if I can pick up the latter skill too, then great.
How shall I go about learning said language? I'm not really in a position to scamper off and immerse myself in a foreign culture right now (although I'd love to do so once I've built up some basic competence), so something more local would be ideal. I've heard good things about Berlitz courses and the like. I've also heard mixed reviews of various language software programs (Rosetta Stone etc etc). Anyone have any experience with either of those two styles of learning?Anyone have any advice in general?
Thanks in advance.
P.S. -> I speak English and can get by in French already.
GrimmyTOA on
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colleges sometimes offer basic courses for it (mine offers an interpreter training program, but those are few and far between). sometimes churches have basic classes as well, but i can't speak for their usefulness.
it really is a wonderful language. it's worth looking into.
I know that, I was just using french and spanish as an example because he said he already speaks french
I know you don't want to and mandarin does have 4 tones, but it is still relatively easy to learn.
Honestly though, do any of your friends speak languages? If you know a few people who speak, say, Spanish, learn that. You'll be able to get plenty of informal lessons out of them, and have fun with it.
Spanish is an incredibly easy language for English speakers to pick up. It completely phonetic so the written language is actually a useful tool to learn the spoken language. In the western world it is everywhere, so it comes in handy in business, travel and daily life often. Also, a huge portion of Spanish vocabulary is instantly recognizable because it has the same Latin root as the English translation.
If you are interested in Mandarin, don't be too intimidated, though. There are only 4 tones and a toneless pronunciation. You get used to those pretty quick. The main challenge is mostly that many of the sounds in the language are very hard for the English speaker to get used to producing and they can sound very similar to the English ear. Also there is absolutely zero vocab cross-over between cultures.
On the plus side for Mandarin, there is a Latin Alphabet writing system (called pinyin) in wide use, so you don't have to learn the Chinese characters. Those bastards are intimidating.
One last thing on Mandarin is a random example of how their vocab can work, which may entice you. A semi-common reply to "how are you?" among friends is "Mamahuhu" which means "so-so", but translates directly to "Horse-Tiger"... as in. There's an animal approaching me and it might be a horse (good) or a tiger (death).
I'll also check out the Berlitz self-teaching dealio.
Thanks again, everybody.
(That said, if anyone has any super & undiscussed ideas, I'm still amenable to suggestions.)
I'd definitely suggest not Mandarin, as you'll never get to a point where you feel even slightly fluent.
I second French. I mean, I am French, so I could be a little bit biased.
But nonetheless, it's a beautiful language, and it's not too hard to learn if you know English, but just hard enough to be satisfying when mastered.
Plus, it really woos the ladies ! ( I would know, seeing as I am one :P)
The only problem you may come across is learning all of your der die and das, other than that it's not that difficult or that much of a jump from english - some sentences are just jumbled in terms of english translation (also learning that most of the words are said from the throat). But then again, I'm pretty biased seeing as how I'm mostly German, it was a load of fun for me.
Suggestions for learning it I'm not so good at; I'm taking classes, but I'm sure some books would be helpful - I'd resonate that Teach Yourself series.
As to how, I'd advise taking a few classes at the local community college. I haven't had any experience with "do it yourself" methods, so I'll leave those suggestions to others.