Learning another language

[ForeverDoneParticipant 2928]

I’ve always been fascinated about other languages. I’ve always wanted to learn Spanish, Italian, German Mandarin and Russian. Any tips from people who already converse in another language? What program to use, etc?

[Anonymous 54]

Still working on English. Haha.
In my dreams I would be able to speak Italian.

[Anonymous 7]

Learn C/C++ or T-SQL (perhaps Java, eww).

[SH3LLZParticipant 5569]

Im trying to learn Python.

#ICETHEMOUT!!! #MANOUT!!! #HIDEYOURWEALTH #VAGINAISWORTHLESS

[MACHOParticipant]

I used Transparent Language, loved it!

You must own a better Crystal ball than I

[Anonymous 7]

SH3LLZ wrote:

Im trying to learn Python.

Python is not my jam but languages share traits.
Python is good for web-apps that deal with databases?
Ping me if you need help, I might be able.

[SuggestiusParticipant 3312]

1. Да нет (which is just “yes no” at the same time).
2. Пить есть, есть нет.
If you have no idea how could you use these phrases in your own language, skip the Russian. The language is hard to master and moreover pointless.

Happiness for all and let no one be forgotten ("Roadside picnic", Arkady and Boris Strugatsky)

[MedwolfParticipant 5]

Duolingo is a good one. Also italki. We all sound funny at the start. We all will mispronounce. Kept at it. 5 to 10 minutes a day. Work on one language for three months. The switch. Think of this. You would not make fun of someone learning English. They will no make fun of you.

[Anonymous 42]

I chose Spanish for practical reasons (It’s the other English) so I can get around on the planet’s two most widespread languages. Helps allot in Central and South America including Florida and the border states. And the North End of Springfield and the entire City of Worcester! El es mi Amigos Amigo.

[ForeverDoneParticipant 2928]

Thank you for the tips and sites. I will check them out.

[MonkParticipant 16977]

Suggestius wrote:

If you have no idea how could you use these phrases in your own language, skip the Russian. The language is hard to master and moreover pointless.

As the West collapses, the East rises. Russian is anything but pointless, as is Chinese.

[Truthseeker82Participant 6406]

Goox idea. Pick one that is closest to your native language. Russian is hard – I am still learning it. The lettering and pronunciation is tough. Good luck!

[MutineerParticipant 1467]

I’d enroll in a class but that’s just me. I like the discipline and the competitive aspect of it. I became fluent in Spanish in 1 year that way.

"The secret to happiness is freedom... And the secret to freedom is courage." - Thucydides

[SH3LLZParticipant 5569]

@Grue

For sure brother. Thanks man. Right now I practice on Codecademy.com . I get through the lessons pretty easily. My problem is retention. I usually have to go back a few steps to remember the syntax.

We’ll definitely talk. Take care of you first though man!

#ICETHEMOUT
#MANOUT

#ICETHEMOUT!!! #MANOUT!!! #HIDEYOURWEALTH #VAGINAISWORTHLESS

[StealthParticipant 5328]

It takes a long time to master a language, and then it’s “use it or lose it.”

It’s good for your brain.

Take classes at a local college. Then find online penpals; I use an app called Tandem to keep up with it. Even then, it’s artificially sustained unless you are living there or interacting with that culture on a regular basis.

"Once you’ve taken care of the basics, there’s very little in this world for which your life is worth deferring." -David Hansson. "It’s not when women are mean or nasty that anything is out of the ordinary. It’s when they are NICE to you that you have to be on high alert..." -Jackinov.

[Dark KenshiParticipant 2132]

The tips I can give you are: Never give up, always do one at the time, because after the second one, it gets more difficult, because your mind starts to jug words together in many languages (I speak 5), so it can be difficult if you are doing more than one at the time.
Also, Duolingo helps you a lot, and if you have a few dime to spare, Rosetta Stone is your place to go.
The only hard language is Portuguese. If you learn this, you can learn ANY language in the world, believe me.

And also, learn how to talk to machines. C++ or C#, or any other programming language that is in vogue right now.

"Young was I once, I walked alone, and bewildered seemed in the way; then I found me another and rich I thought me, for man is the joy of man." Odin, Hàvamàl, stanza 47.

[Colin Combover in a ComaParticipant 5066]

ForeverDone wrote:

I’ve always been fascinated about other languages. I’ve always wanted to learn Spanish, Italian, German Mandarin and Russian. Any tips from people who already converse in another language? What program to use, etc?

ForeverDone wrote:

I’ve always been fascinated about other languages. I’ve always wanted to learn Spanish, Italian, German Mandarin and Russian. Any tips from people who already converse in another language? What program to use, etc?

Currently learning Swedish. My advice would be, to be around(if possible) those who speak the language. Baring this, practise daily, plenty of you-tube videos.

[ForeverDoneParticipant 2928]

Yes, I am familiar with coding. I am/was MSCE, Java, and C++ certified when I was a programmer years ago.

[dcParticipant 1]

I’m still learning English and here is my point.
Learning any language is pointless until you have some sort interest in it. My suggestion first to consider whether the language will be helpful to you. Like if you planing to move to China the good idea is to learn Mandarin (because Chinese people do not speak English). There is no point in mastering language you will never or occasionally use.
As about software… I think Rosetta Stone is good to start with. But you will also need tons of language materials (books, videos, etc) for everyday practice.

[SwampFootParticipant 62]

not a fan of rosetta stone myself. most of the cheaper software out there is better in my opinion.

my suggestion? find a list of the 300 most common words in your target language and memorize them. the easiest way to do that is to use them in the context of an english sentence. for instance, i like to go catch riba in a local river near my house. sometimes i will use artificial bait, sometimes i will just put a worm on a riba hook and reel in whatever riba bites. i usually drive my sayara to the local river, but sometimes i like to bring a boat. in those cases, i borrow my brothers shahina. he has a nice pickup shahina with a hitch, so it can tow a boat. my little sayara cannot do that.

so, in that little bit, you already know the russian word for fish and the arabic word for both car and truck.

learning ten words a day, you can learn 80% of the most common words used in everyday conversation in just a month. after you have that down, learn the grammar and try mixing it up the same way. just remember, when it comes out as easily in the new language as it does in english, then you will probably never forget it.

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