Language/Language Learning

[Kirrig]

Yes, but Afrikaans gained an army and a navy when South Africa became independent, so that conforms with the rule.

Hmmm... seeing as they were oiginally landlocked, did the South African Republic have a navy?

Should also have a basic understanding of Afrikaans too then.

Indeed.

When did Afrikaans become a language? I imagine after teh navy arrived.

Actually basic is probably the wrong word. Almost total. Given that there have been French, German and English influences as well as Dutch and African languages on Afrikaans.

[Daistallia 2104]

When did Afrikaans become a language? I imagine after teh navy arrived.

IIRC it was recognized as distinct from being a dialect of Dutch before the Union, so it would still be while landlocked.

Actually basic is probably the wrong word. Almost total. Given that there have been French, German and English influences as well as Dutch and African languages on Afrikaans.

There are Malay and Portusese influances as well, but something like 90% of the vocab is in common with Dutch.

[Kirrig]

When did Afrikaans become a language? I imagine after teh navy arrived.

IIRC it was recognized as distinct from being a dialect of Dutch before the Union, so it would still be while landlocked.

Actually basic is probably the wrong word. Almost total. Given that there have been French, German and English influences as well as Dutch and African languages on Afrikaans.

There are Malay and Portusese influances as well, but something like 90% of the vocab is in common with Dutch.

Well there we are. Although I reckon at times those from York and the like were less intellegible than Afrikaans and Dutch speakers have ever been.

Of course both Afrikaans speakers and Dutch ones like to leave their country of birth.

[Daistallia 2104]

Although I reckon at times those from York and the like were less intellegible than Afrikaans and Dutch speakers have ever been.

FWIW, the wiki says there were at least three distinct dialects after the Great Trek.

Of course both Afrikaans speakers and Dutch ones like to leave their country of birth.

Indeed they do.

[Kirrig]

Although I reckon at times those from York and the like were less intellegible than Afrikaans and Dutch speakers have ever been.

FWIW, the wiki says there were at least three distinct dialects after the Great Trek.

Of course both Afrikaans speakers and Dutch ones like to leave their country of birth.

Indeed they do.

Although, it seems that we are getting more of the Afrikaans speakers here these days. Did not know about the dialects. That said, parts of the village in England used to have different accents/ dialects.

[Homesh]

I'm fluent in 5 languages: Hebrew, English, Russian, Arabic and Ukrainian. Also Homeshian, which is a conlag I invented, but I didn't count it...

[Daistallia 2104]

Also Homeshian, which is a conlag I invented, but I didn't count it...

linky?

[The Kangaroo Republic]

I've grown up bilingually, having been able to speak both Dutch and English since my early childhood. I want to learn to speak French fluently too, in order to expand my knowledge of language outside the Germanic Languages.

[Buffett and Colbert]

I'm fluent in English and Spanish and am learning Italian. Most people where I live know English in Spanish but the rest on the island might speak very broken English. My school caters to the ritzy type, so it has more opportunities.

[NyxNyke]

I consider myself monolingual. Korean was my language in collage, 3 quarters of Japaneses, 1 of Russian, tried Mandarin, Arabic, and Latin. The problem in the US is lack of places to use it. The reason Europeans can and do learn multiple languages is they need to to talk to their neighbors. In the US it is hard to make a choice of language to study. It is also pointless when you see so many people speaking English. While I still waste time practicing the gojuonju, and recognizing the Greek and Hebrew alphabets I think high schools need to teach culture more than the languages. My sisters with 4 years of HS Spanish were still not able to function in Mexico.

[Leepaidamba]

I know Dutch and English like any good Dutch student and I'm still learning German and Latin. I can do some French and have a basic understanding of ancient Greek but nothing too special.

Should also have a basic understanding of Afrikaans too then.

That too.

[Daistallia 2104]

I think high schools need to teach culture more than the languages. My sisters with 4 years of HS Spanish were still not able to function in Mexico.

Indeed they do. Friends doing languages in HS got some. One problem with Spanish is that there are so many dialects. Usually one learns either neutral or Castilian Spanish in HS, which can cause difficulty in Mexico if you aren't pretty fluent.

[Hippostania]

I am fluent in English and Finnish and can also understand and speak basic French and Swedish.. I'd really love to get better at French, but by god, it's sooo difficult D:

[Daistallia 2104]

I am fluent in English and Finnish and can also understand and speak basic French and Swedish.. I'd really love to get better at French, but by god, it's sooo difficult D:

Interesting that you find French difficult - it should be easier than Finnish. (Unless you were brought up bilingually.)

[Hippostania]

I am fluent in English and Finnish and can also understand and speak basic French and Swedish.. I'd really love to get better at French, but by god, it's sooo difficult D:

Interesting that you find French difficult - it should be easier than Finnish. (Unless you were brought up bilingually.)

Well, Finnish and French aren't even comparable, they're totally different kinds of languages. If I was born in Sweden for example, I'd probably find French much more easier.

[The Truth and Light]

I speak English and Spanish. I want to learn French. I've had interests in languages since a young age, and I like learning them.

I'm in a Chinese class. But I'm no longer interested in it. That's the exception.

[Disserbia]

I learned Chinese it wasn't that hard. I can't speak it fluently anymore so I guess I only speak three languages. If you're going to learn Chinese start by learning pinyin its a lot easier for native English speakers.

[New Lyrane]

I'm fluent in English, Finnish, and Swedish, and okay in German. On a good day, I can fake French, Italian, or Dutch.

And of course, I'm the acknowledged expert on Lyranian.

[Astrolinium]

I speak fluent English (no shocker there, it being my native tongue and all), and have a knowledge of Latin which I would call "almost or barely conversational", which is actually pretty good for someone who's only in Latin II.

[New Sapienta]

My first(and only really) language is English

Although I can talk like a toddler in french.

[Risottia]

So, there is controversy over the fact that many American kids are not learning languages and that they should. While kids in European countries might learn 2 languages besides their mother tounge, it is uncommen to meet a bilingual american high schooler (Who grew up in a monolingual household.)

Eh, it's even uncommon to find an American who can spell English correctly.

[New Sapienta]

So, there is controversy over the fact that many American kids are not learning languages and that they should. While kids in European countries might learn 2 languages besides their mother tounge, it is uncommen to meet a bilingual american high schooler (Who grew up in a monolingual household.)

Eh, it's even uncommon to find an American who can spell English correctly.

i hve to disgree wit u thar

[Kirrig]

Eh, it's even uncommon to find an American who can spell English correctly.

i hve to disgree wit u thar

I possibly think Risottia was getting at the incorrect spelling of words like colour in the States.

[Mad Monarch]

i hve to disgree wit u thar

I possibly think Risottia was getting at the incorrect spelling of words like colour in the States.

We don't speak English; we speak American

[Kirrig]

I possibly think Risottia was getting at the incorrect spelling of words like colour in the States.

We don't speak English; we speak American

Something I'm personally prepared to correct to the point of genocide. Not that I ever will, there are laws.