Languages!

[The Metal RN]

I also know a limited amount of sign language.

That is American Sign Language, right?
There are some differences with others, AFAIK.

Greetz,

Tex

AFAIK, as well, but I do not know enough to tell you what they are, i do know some people who do know more than one type, I will ask them to clafify.

[Mas]

my motherlanguage is dutch,  i think i can talk english and i understand the most things in german

[Metalmaiden]

I am horrible at languages! It is not for lack of trying.

I studied French in school starting at age 5.  I can read it and understand what is being said but realy can't speak it.  Later I did 3 years of Latin followed by 3 years of Spanish and Russian. I've retained very little.  Italian  and German was spoken at home but it was used so us children didn't know what the grown-ups were saying so i never was encouraged to learn it. I the 80's I  attempted Japanese. That was comical. I tried to learn Danish and Swedish before visits there but listening to those learning tapes was like pouring sand through a sieve. No retention. Besides, my European friends always want to practise their English with me so it seems I never get to prractise their language. (or I just butchered it SO badly they couldn't stand it.)

I don't know what it is but both my kids really struggled in school with non-native  languages as well. They learned sign language  very easily.  I think that learning ASL utilizes a different part of the brain. Then, it cames full circle, they used it to communicate with each other so I wouldn't know what they were talking about.

[shadowman]

Metal Maiden :
French, Spanish, Russian, Swedish, Japanese, Latin, Danish...

no Dutch ??
Tss... girl, you have some serious explaining to do here...


 :roll:

[AngelOfMusic]

I think the Finnish language is pretty neat.  I've noticed alot of softer sounds in it, and alot of uses of "a", "i" and "e" with or without accent marks.  I think it's very flowing and musical, as far as the scandanavian languages go.  Is it really that hard to learn?  :?:

[Mas]

i am thinking to learn one of the scandivian language's, sometimes when i watch a movie i can understand things and some words are close to the dutch en german language.

[Avricha]

@Virvatuli: AoP is right with that and  learning Finnish is a lot of fun since my Finnish teacher is a really nice woman..

@Odin: Gaelic is kinda hard, at least if you try to teach it yourself.

I'd love to learn Spanish as well.

[Virvatuli]

AngelofMusic, you're right. Finnish is quite neat.. I think it is mainly, broadly said, because of the vocals. In finnish words, there aren't so many consonants as there are in, let's say, german
Great example of finnish's beauty is Nightwish's Lappi from aff.
But also yes, finnish is really difficult.  Example, in german they have only four ****(i'm not sure what it is in english, I think it's "die Fälle" (Kasus?) in german) we have 15...

[shadowman]

I think you mean Nominativ, akkusativ, Dativ, Genitiv right ?
Not sure about the spelling though.
German friends, feel free to correct me...

so you have 15 of these nasty suckers in Finnish ?
Ok, note to my self :
Never ever learn Finnish...
When I ever meet you Virvatuli I am sure we will be able to communicate using body language...

 :P  :P

[Souleraser]

I think you mean Nominativ, akkusativ, Dativ, Genitiv right ?
Not sure about the spelling though.
German friends, feel free to correct me...

Correct spelling, wrong order
It's
1. Nominativ
2. Genitiv
3. Dativ
4. Akkusativ

and for Latin
5. Locativ
6. Ablativ

so you have 15 of these nasty suckers in Finnish ?
Ok, note to my self :
Never ever learn Finnish...

I just thought the same

[Virvatuli]

Yeah, those suckers indeed! Not many a finn knows those by heart. Not even me
Shadow, yeah.. or international handmarks (like the middle finger), if it comes to that  

[TexJoachim]

and for Latin
5. Locativ
6. Ablativ

Please turn them around.


Greetz,

Tex

[TexJoachim]

Shadow, yeah.. or international handmarks (like the middle finger), if it comes to that  

Unfortunately, body language is culturally dependent and not universal.
So, signs that mean excellent in German can (and do) mean "Asshole" in another country.

Or, different example: try waving your index and middle finger in England. Be sure to have a weapon ready, as this gesture is extremely offensive.


Greetz,

Tex

[Virvatuli]

Oh Tex, always correcting everyone... I know that. Even a smile in some countries can mean frustration or even anger. I was just trying to make a _really_ bad joke, and now look what you've done, you've ruined it  :cry2:    

[K. Beckman]

Only two. Swedish and English. Oh yeah I almoast forgot, Östgötska  So that makes 3.