Thinking of learning another language.

[crinkles]

http://www.goethe.de/cgi-bin/einstufungstest/einstufungstest.pl

i got to the fourth screen and couldn't do any more LOL.

I got 16/30. not too bad for not having dealt with german in 10 years!

"Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options."

 

[crazyoildude]

Sorry this is America they should learn English or go home

 

[crazyoildude]

English! It's so good that i hear it may help keep points off your license...

 

[bradepb]

1492: sorry this is America they should learn native american or go home

I get the point but then again English does not = American as far as I know we do not even have an official language

 

[scurvy]

Originally Posted By: bradepb
1492: sorry this is America they should learn native american or go home

I get the point but then again English does not = American as far as I know we do not even have an official language


I couldn't agree more. We USAians are invaders who have set up shop. We have no national language codified by law, only the de facto common language of American English. You really wanna learn the language here? Pull out your Choctaw, Algonquin, Quechua, Creole, Shahapwailutan & Siouan-Catawban textbooks.

To the OP, congrats, knowing some of a foreign language is a great skill to have. I took French in highschool and German in college. Both have actually served me well. It's a great way to learn a new skill and keep the brain active. Try and seek out a kaffeeklatsch - few things help as much as being around others who are more skilled at speaking the language. I also used to listen to Deutsche Welle radio online. Remember, you can always understand more than you can say yourself but hearing is a great way to better understand the nuances of a language.

 

[Benzadmiral]

Originally Posted By: Popinski
Wie gehts??

Well, looks like I'm learning German. I went to the Salvation Army to look at books and I coincidentally found a "German Made Simple" book by Adolph Geiger. Found it for $1.00. It's old but it'll do for starters. . . .

I remember that book! A large softcover trade edition, right? With the colors of the German flag on it? When I was in high school, still studying Spanish, I got the idea I should learn German (I'd read Von Ryan's Express once too often). I quit when I started mixing German and Spanish words up. But I still recall some phrases and words.

with German, it's those long words and case endings that are a challenge. Good luck!

 

[97tbird]

Originally Posted By: crazyoildude
Sorry this is America they should learn English or go home


Sorry this is America, you should know it's a melting pot or go home.

what [censored].

 

[97tbird]

Originally Posted By: crinkles
http://www.goethe.de/cgi-bin/einstufungstest/einstufungstest.pl

i got to the fourth screen and couldn't do any more LOL.

I got 16/30. not too bad for not having dealt with german in 10 years!


27/30 but I still "maintain" my German
You did good!

 

[Gary Allan]

Originally Posted By: 97tbird
Originally Posted By: crazyoildude
Sorry this is America they should learn English or go home


Sorry this is America, you should know it's a melting pot or go home.

what [censored].


It's a melting pot of cultural influences but has always had a core fundamental that remained a standard. It drifted left or right ..up or down but always managed to prevail. There have been Italian neighborhood, Irish, German, Polish, French, and just about every western cultural enclave that you can shake a stick at ..and the fundamental adaptation of English has endured.

Now it's being pushed out. Even your English may be as alien as Hindi.

What you're misquoting as "the melting pot" is really multiculturalism. Latinos aren't adapting, they're modifying the environment.


Whomever said that Colombian was high quality Spanish was spot on. The island and Mexican "clipping" is very hard to follow for the non-speaker. Colombian is "calm" while the island offerings remind me of a machine gun rattling away.

 

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted By: 97tbird
Originally Posted By: crazyoildude
Sorry this is America they should learn English or go home


Sorry this is America, you should know it's a melting pot or go home.

what [censored].



Together we stand divided we fall...so if we all speak English atleast we'll have a chance. Why does every newcomer want to change the the country based on THEIR culture only - that totally spoils the so called melting pot recipe.

When America was founded - it was english speaking. That is our 1st language and should remain so. Why should the majority of us English speaking adapt to the minority who does not?

 

[GMBoy]

Did you ever notice that most of the people who won't speak English are of hispanic origin? I've never met an asian, italian or german that doesn't also speak English or atleast try.

Just my perspective, not saying it's fact. Oh and I do speak a 2nd language - Spanish. Not the best, but with 6 years of it I can get by pretty well. I would like to learn Chinese in the future.

 

[Gary Allan]

Quote:
Why should the majority of us English speaking adapt to the minority who does not?


It's like anything else. If you remain tolerant long enough, you have no choice. We always wait until it's too late and then say, "to not continue on this path would be worse

"

I don't like many "invasions". I don't necessarily like the westernization/Americanization that the USA has infused upon much of the globe.

 

[Popinski]

I agree with with majority of you on here. Everything in the USA are in English. I don't care if the USA is a melting pot or if the Hispanic population is increasing dramatically--I will not learn a different language just because some immigrant group is dramatically increasing and doesn't want to learn English. Everything in America is in English and I was born with everything in English. No offense to the Native Americans but no one would immigrate here if the Native Americans still took over. 1492?? Who cares about 1492!?! I was born in the 1970's!!! What does 1492 have to do with any of you?

I'm tired of these folks telling me "English is not the official language so screw you". If you're an American and you don't speak English, you're just screwing me and about all Americans.

Why can't people use common sense? One of the reasons why people died for our country is so we don't have to speak another language.

(And for you grammar Nazis out there: I'd rather read something in English with poor grammar than Spanish in perfect grammar).

 

[Mr Nice]

They should make Spanish mandatory for all school children from kindergarden up till high school, they will be needing it in the real world.

 

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
They should make Spanish mandatory for all school children from kindergarden up till high school, they will be needing it in the real world.



My son has to take Spanish in school and he is only 8. I don't like it because I think these youngsters need to learn English first until they attempt another language. Maybe in high school but not in 3rd grade.

 

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
Quote:
Why should the majority of us English speaking adapt to the minority who does not?


It's like anything else. If you remain tolerant long enough, you have no choice. We always wait until it's too late and then say, "to not continue on this path would be worse

"

I don't like many "invasions". I don't necessarily like the westernization/Americanization that the USA has infused upon much of the globe.


Very good points.

 

[Minou]

Being French Canadian, I strongly suggest you take Spanish...

For the many reasons others have mentionned. I so much regret not having taken that option in high school (besides English)to at least get me started in that language.

I traveled to the Carribean islands a few times and Spanish is now so ever present in the US that it would be my no-contest first choice albeit not the most exotic one. And it could help you the most with a new job in your own country.

French is too difficult. The pronounciation, syntax, grammar rules and exceptions make it very tough for the non-initiated unless you have a specific cultural interest or something to sway your decision toward that language.

Oh BTW, if you need a good incentive, French Canadian women are among the most beautiful in the world!

 

[Popinski]

Originally Posted By: Benzadmiral
Originally Posted By: Popinski
Wie gehts??

Well, looks like I'm learning German. I went to the Salvation Army to look at books and I coincidentally found a "German Made Simple" book by Adolph Geiger. Found it for $1.00. It's old but it'll do for starters. . . .

I remember that book! A large softcover trade edition, right? With the colors of the German flag on it? When I was in high school, still studying Spanish, I got the idea I should learn German (I'd read Von Ryan's Express once too often). I quit when I started mixing German and Spanish words up. But I still recall some phrases and words.

with German, it's those long words and case endings that are a challenge. Good luck!


Danke! Yes, that's the correct book. Pretty good so far.. the pronunciation and the "CH" sounds are difficult for me. My friend told me not to roll my R's like Adolf Hitler.

Originally Posted By: Minou
Being French Canadian, I strongly suggest you take Spanish...

For the many reasons others have mentionned. I so much regret not having taken that option in high school (besides English)to at least get me started in that language.

I traveled to the Carribean islands a few times and Spanish is now so ever present in the US that it would be my no-contest first choice albeit not the most exotic one. And it could help you the most with a new job in your own country.

French is too difficult. The pronounciation, syntax, grammar rules and exceptions make it very tough for the non-initiated unless you have a specific cultural interest or something to sway your decision toward that language.

Oh BTW, if you need a good incentive, French Canadian women are among the most beautiful in the world!


I'M LEARNING FRENCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ..........However, so far, Canadians have been disrespectful to me.

 

[Pop_Rivit]

Originally Posted By: GMBoy
Did you ever notice that most of the people who won't speak English are of hispanic origin? I've never met an asian, italian or german that doesn't also speak English or atleast try.


That's sheer nonsense.

My heritage is Italian, and the area where I grew up (typical Midwest town) has a large Italian population. In the 1940's, 1950's and 1960's Italians would flock to our truck farm for their produce. My grandparents never learned English, and most of the Italians (that came over in the 1910's and 1920's) of that era didn't speak English.

From the mid-1980's to the late 1990's I maintained a part ownership in a produce reselling company. We specialized in purchasing produce from grocery warehouses that was almost at its expiration date, and then reselling it locally (very cheap) to retail customers. A significant number of our customers were Asian, and it was rare for an adult to speak English. Usually a child would translate for them as they haggled the price.

Popinski-I congratulate you for considering a second language. I speak 3 fluently (English, Italian and Svenska) and can muddle through a couple others. Fair warning though-language skills are easy for children, but it's hard for older adults to learn a new language.

 

[XS650]

Originally Posted By: GMBoy
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
They should make Spanish mandatory for all school children from kindergarden up till high school, they will be needing it in the real world.



My son has to take Spanish in school and he is only 8. I don't like it because I think these youngsters need to learn English first until they attempt another language. Maybe in high school but not in 3rd grade.


The best time for a child to learn a 2nd language is as young as possible, it's much easier then. It doesn't need to be a major program but exposure at young age is a big advantage. The way the brain develops, the ability to learn a language starts going downhill at about the onset of puberty, about the time foreign language instruction starts in the US.