Learning a new language: reference, advice, suggestions. - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Phaenx · 06-20-2003, 06:17 PM

Learning a new language: reference, advice, suggestions.

I want to learn a new language during my free time. What I need is some help from you guys in the form of a website/book good for reference and the actual learning process, advice on how to go about tackling a new language, and a suggestion for a new language, why it's a good language to understand, etc.

Thanks in advance
-Dave

mirevolver · 06-20-2003, 07:30 PM

Stop by a local bookstore. Look through books in the foriegn language section for one that appeals to you. A set of books I like are "Teach yourself" It's best to find something with audio so you can also listen to the language being spoken and that is very important.

Once you start to understand grammer and learn words, immerse yourself in that language. A great way to do that is to watch TV from that country if you have a broadband internet connection there's http://www.tv4all.com

The best thing you can do is to find someone who you can talk to in that language. Practice, Practice, PRACTICE!!! Learning a language is a lot of work. I myself speak decent German, halfway decent Russian, and a little bit of Italian, Korean and Japanese.

HeyAgain · 06-20-2003, 08:56 PM

http://www.word2word.com/course.html for your online language resources.

For me personally, I am utilizing Berlitz courses to learn French.

Check your local libraries for these kits.

After learning French, I hope to learn Spanish, and eventually German.

fuelmyfire · 06-20-2003, 09:20 PM

go for the bands who speak the language.

i'm casually "learning" German from a lot of my favourite German bands.

i may never know what the words mean that i am speaking, but my pronounciation is now dead-on!

but seriously....i also read a German-English dictionary that has conversion AND pronounciation of the German word (you would be surprised how many dictionaries don't have this)

ninety09 · 06-21-2003, 07:31 AM

There are some websites that are very good. Try to find one with .wavs or .mp3s, these are very helpful to learn the correct pronouciation.

I'm currently trying to learn Cantonese with the help of these sites..

The_Dude · 06-21-2003, 07:57 AM

surround yourself w/ people who speak that language.

that's the best way

Phaenx · 06-21-2003, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The_Dude
surround yourself w/ people who speak that language.

that's the best way

I chose Japanese so I can understand all the cool imports like video games and movies. I think the only people around here that speak Japanese are raging anime nerds, so...fuck!

Actually, there's usually a japanese soap opera show on the foriegn channel, so I may be good.

Mr Scorcex · 06-21-2003, 06:59 PM

Immersion is the best way to learn a language, in my opinion. One other very important thing is to make sure you learn to pronounce the vowels correctly. Any language sounds positively grating with incorrect pronunciation.

Cynthetiq · 06-21-2003, 09:15 PM

practice practice practice.

Phaenx · 06-21-2003, 10:16 PM

Did I mention learning the japanese alphabet is like shoving a red hot metal pipe up your ass? Well I just did. Really though, it's not as bad as I was told, I'm having fun!

mirevolver · 06-22-2003, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Phaenx
Did I mention learning the japanese alphabet is like shoving a red hot metal pipe up your ass? Well I just did. Really though, it's not as bad as I was told, I'm having fun!

I hope you're saying this after you've started learning Kanji.

Phaenx · 06-22-2003, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mirevolver
I hope you're saying this after you've started learning Kanji.

Just hiragana and katanaka right now. Kanji is going to rock my face.

BillyBaldwin · 07-01-2003, 08:15 PM

Immersion is definately the best way. I spent 4 years learning German, but in several trips in the different regions of Germany I picked up so much that booklearning could never teach me.

You need a good foundation before you try that, though. Try community college classes, or something.

Gangsta · 07-02-2003, 07:13 PM

I dont know how people learn languages on their own in places where the language that theyre learning is never used :/

Phaenx · 07-04-2003, 07:39 PM

Why does Kanji exist?

*curls into fetal position in the corner of his closet.*

Ganguro · 07-06-2003, 05:55 AM

hehehe
you sound like me during my second year of nihongo classes
stick with it.. it's not THAT bad.. I have an ex who is japanese and was born and raised there, and even she cant read all the characters.. It's all about memorization, and seeing the little "pictures" in the Kana..

Hell if you can learn Kanji, you can even read some Mandarin characters.. You know.. since the Japanese stole the written language from the Chinese and all

06-20-2003, 06:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
Phaenx The Northern Ward Location: Columbus, Ohio	Learning a new language: reference, advice, suggestions. Learning a new language: reference, advice, suggestions. I want to learn a new language during my free time. What I need is some help from you guys in the form of a website/book good for reference and the actual learning process, advice on how to go about tackling a new language, and a suggestion for a new language, why it's a good language to understand, etc. Thanks in advance -Dave __________________ "I went shopping last night at like 1am. The place was empty and this old woman just making polite conversation said to me, 'where is everyone??' I replied, 'In bed, same place you and I should be!' Took me ten minutes to figure out why she gave me a dirty look." --Some guy

06-20-2003, 07:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
mirevolver Inspired by the mind's eye. Location: Between the darkness and the light.	Stop by a local bookstore. Look through books in the foriegn language section for one that appeals to you. A set of books I like are "Teach yourself" It's best to find something with audio so you can also listen to the language being spoken and that is very important. Once you start to understand grammer and learn words, immerse yourself in that language. A great way to do that is to watch TV from that country if you have a broadband internet connection there's http://www.tv4all.com The best thing you can do is to find someone who you can talk to in that language. Practice, Practice, PRACTICE!!! Learning a language is a lot of work. I myself speak decent German, halfway decent Russian, and a little bit of Italian, Korean and Japanese. __________________ Aside from my great plans to become the future dictator of the moon, I have little interest in political discussions.

06-21-2003, 07:57 AM	#6 (permalink)
The_Dude The GrandDaddy of them all! Location: Austin, TX	surround yourself w/ people who speak that language. that's the best way __________________ "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." - Darrel K Royal

06-21-2003, 09:15 PM	#9 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	practice practice practice. __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

06-21-2003, 10:16 PM	#10 (permalink)
Phaenx The Northern Ward Location: Columbus, Ohio	Did I mention learning the japanese alphabet is like shoving a red hot metal pipe up your ass? Well I just did. Really though, it's not as bad as I was told, I'm having fun! __________________ "I went shopping last night at like 1am. The place was empty and this old woman just making polite conversation said to me, 'where is everyone??' I replied, 'In bed, same place you and I should be!' Took me ten minutes to figure out why she gave me a dirty look." --Some guy

06-20-2003, 08:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
HeyAgain Psycho	http://www.word2word.com/course.html for your online language resources. For me personally, I am utilizing Berlitz courses to learn French. Check your local libraries for these kits. After learning French, I hope to learn Spanish, and eventually German.

06-20-2003, 09:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
fuelmyfire Insane	go for the bands who speak the language. i'm casually "learning" German from a lot of my favourite German bands. i may never know what the words mean that i am speaking, but my pronounciation is now dead-on! but seriously....i also read a German-English dictionary that has conversion AND pronounciation of the German word (you would be surprised how many dictionaries don't have this)

06-21-2003, 07:31 AM	#5 (permalink)
ninety09 Flavour of the Weak Location: Canada	There are some websites that are very good. Try to find one with .wavs or .mp3s, these are very helpful to learn the correct pronouciation. I'm currently trying to learn Cantonese with the help of these sites..

06-21-2003, 06:59 PM	#8 (permalink)
Mr Scorcex Insane Location: Colorado	Immersion is the best way to learn a language, in my opinion. One other very important thing is to make sure you learn to pronounce the vowels correctly. Any language sounds positively grating with incorrect pronunciation.

07-01-2003, 08:15 PM	#13 (permalink)
BillyBaldwin Upright	Immersion is definately the best way. I spent 4 years learning German, but in several trips in the different regions of Germany I picked up so much that booklearning could never teach me. You need a good foundation before you try that, though. Try community college classes, or something.

07-02-2003, 07:13 PM	#14 (permalink)
Gangsta Upright	I dont know how people learn languages on their own in places where the language that theyre learning is never used :/

07-04-2003, 07:39 PM	#15 (permalink)
Phaenx The Northern Ward Location: Columbus, Ohio	Why does Kanji exist? curls into fetal position in the corner of his closet. __________________ "I went shopping last night at like 1am. The place was empty and this old woman just making polite conversation said to me, 'where is everyone??' I replied, 'In bed, same place you and I should be!' Took me ten minutes to figure out why she gave me a dirty look." --Some guy

07-06-2003, 05:55 AM	#16 (permalink)
Ganguro Army of Me	hehehe you sound like me during my second year of nihongo classes stick with it.. it's not THAT bad.. I have an ex who is japanese and was born and raised there, and even she cant read all the characters.. It's all about memorization, and seeing the little "pictures" in the Kana.. Hell if you can learn Kanji, you can even read some Mandarin characters.. You know.. since the Japanese stole the written language from the Chinese and all