What is the difference between "no more than" and "not more than"? [more inside]
posted on Jul 3, 2008 - 15 answers

What's the best way to teach conversational English to a Polish person with currently only very minimal English skills? [more inside]
posted on Jun 25, 2008 - 3 answers

LanguageFilter : What is the most common word for "cars" in Spanish and in Portugese? Is it coches or carros? What is the difference between the two words and what are their etymologies?
posted on Jun 19, 2008 - 23 answers

A few years back, an older Israeli man told me that my daughter's name, Kameya, meant "good luck charm" in ancient Hebrew. Was he just pulling my leg? [more inside]
posted on Jun 19, 2008 - 6 answers

How can I support the Dutch? [more inside]
posted on Jun 18, 2008 - 14 answers

What can you tell me about 'Poe(t)heory'? [more inside]
posted on Jun 18, 2008 - 3 answers

9 years of Spanish have proven worthless. How do I become a conversationalist? [more inside]
posted on Jun 17, 2008 - 14 answers

I've just started a wine tasting course, and someone asked whether there was an adjective that described a wine that tastes like it smells. The closest we could get was onomatopoeic, which obviously isn't the right word, but is similar in concept. If not in English, is there a word in any language? (I'm thinking that maybe there's a German word, as they're really good at creating new words by putting other words together) Or is "tastes like it smells" as good as it gets?
posted on Jun 17, 2008 - 18 answers

I'm on a Chinese-language computer and want to use Windows XP and Windows Vista in English. How can I do this? [more inside]
posted on Jun 12, 2008 - 1 answers

After a long period of soul-searching (and trying many different jobs), I've decided on a career path in language learning. [more inside]
posted on Jun 12, 2008 - 3 answers

I can't remember the name of a phase of the building/design process. Help! [more inside]
posted on Jun 11, 2008 - 5 answers

Searching for a gender neutral term for Aunt/Uncle? [more inside]
posted on Jun 5, 2008 - 53 answers

?Russian? translation of this document required
posted on Jun 5, 2008 - 8 answers

What are your favorite online resources for learning, practicing or getting exposure to the languages you speak? I'm looking for things that go beyond a textbook and a couple of CDs: things like interactive tools and study materials, well-written blogs written in / about the language, and especially audio, video or reading materials that people learning the language might not be able to find easily. [more inside]
posted on Jun 4, 2008 - 8 answers

RSVP means "respondez sil vous plait", but when I respond to an RSVP, is there a French acronym that acts as the "We are responding" counterpart to RSVP?
posted on Jun 3, 2008 - 17 answers

Can you recommend any intermediate level Hindi language learning resources online? [more inside]
posted on Jun 3, 2008 - 2 answers

I'm looking for words which can have different meanings, depending on how they are pronounced. [more inside]
posted on Jun 2, 2008 - 25 answers

Is there a word for this thing that I do with the names of things? And would you find it annoying? [more inside]
posted on May 31, 2008 - 36 answers

I need some project ideas for me to work on with a nine year old Spanish boy. [more inside]
posted on May 31, 2008 - 1 answers

Can anyone direct me toward an essay [preferably vetted] on the use of language in advertising/media? [more inside]
posted on May 30, 2008 - 7 answers

How do you pronounce the word 'read' when used in the following context? -- 'John is dry (read: boring).' /rɛd/ or /rid/ Thanks!
posted on May 29, 2008 - 121 answers

I am trying to decide which web language + framework to focus on for learning this summer. I am stuck between PHP, Python (with Django maybe) or Ruby (on Rails). [more inside]
posted on May 29, 2008 - 35 answers

I think that a thesaurus that was organized in terms of which adjectives typically go with which nouns would be really useful. Like, the adjectives that modify the verb "urge" (as in deep or unfulfilled, say). Same thing could be done for adverbs, e.g., ones that modify "talk" (relentlessly, incessantly, insightfully). I am aware of WordNet and many other on-line lexical databases like the BNC. I'm looking for something like a compiled list, based on actual usage, of what modifies what. thanks.
posted on May 29, 2008 - 7 answers

Is there a Literary device / term for this example - a character in a story yells quiet or hush. The closest I could think of was irony, but I'm guessing there's something more specific. Thanks.
posted on May 27, 2008 - 13 answers

Languages: 'I'm coming' versus 'I'm going' in response to 'Come here!' [more inside]
posted on May 27, 2008 - 31 answers

How can I best learn the French language, grammar, and pronunciation? [more inside]
posted on May 26, 2008 - 16 answers

What Spanish language kids' show (in the USA) would be good to watch for someone trying to pick up Spanish? [more inside]
posted on May 26, 2008 - 8 answers

How do you pronounce the "sz" in a German word or name that begins with it, such as "Szigen" (like the festival) or "Szaggars"?
posted on May 23, 2008 - 14 answers

On a recent trip to Kenya, we visited a school who is in need of simple French language instruction booklets for elementary-age children. [more inside]
posted on May 23, 2008 - 3 answers

Where can I find beta testers for a niche-ish recipe site? [more inside]
posted on May 21, 2008 - 9 answers

Where can I find a good online database that gives me similar meanings instead of just synonyms? [more inside]
posted on May 21, 2008 - 11 answers

Traveling to Oaxaca with a friend for a 2-4 week Spanish immersion program this June/July. We are looking for some advice about Spanish language programs, homestays/lodging, and transportation. We are having a very difficult time finding a good learning program—there are so many to choose from and we don't quite know what to look for and how to determine which ones are good. [more inside]
posted on May 19, 2008 - 6 answers

Where online can I find a list of vocabulary from "The Wire" and some plain-language definitions? [more inside]
posted on May 16, 2008 - 18 answers

I'd like to get a German dictionary/language program for my Blackberry Curve. Any recommendations or caveats? [more inside]
posted on May 16, 2008 - 1 answers

Help me identify Jon Stewart's accent [more inside]
posted on May 16, 2008 - 11 answers

Anybody read Polish? Or know about Stan Nonin? [more inside]
posted on May 15, 2008 - 5 answers

What's the difference between a geek, a nerd and a dork? [more inside]
posted on May 15, 2008 - 42 answers

To bonzer or not to bonzer, that is the question for our Aussie MeFites. [more inside]
posted on May 13, 2008 - 31 answers

anyone familiar with the language/alphabet used in this WWII-era document from western China? my best guess is something related to the Yi language, but that could (of course) be totally wrong.
posted on May 13, 2008 - 7 answers

What is the best way for me to learn Spanish in order to pass a reading test? [more inside]
posted on May 10, 2008 - 13 answers

English as a foreign language programs in the Northeast U.S.? [more inside]
posted on May 10, 2008 - 6 answers

And that's very nearly the limit of my Latin, such as it is. Is Latin really a supremely clear and precise language? [more inside]
posted on May 9, 2008 - 21 answers

Can someone provide an Ancient Greek translation for "love of style?" [more inside]
posted on May 7, 2008 - 6 answers

I saw this symbol or statement on a car recently. Can anyone help translate or tell me what it means?
posted on May 2, 2008 - 5 answers

What other words out there lack elegant opposites? [more inside]
posted on May 2, 2008 - 47 answers

Where can I buy the Japanese version and a Chinese version of Microsoft Vista Business online for use in the United States? Media and license. [more inside]
posted on May 1, 2008 - 4 answers

How do you say "Happy Maharashtra Day!" in Marathi? [more inside]
posted on Apr 30, 2008 - 3 answers

How do I learn to speak a language I already (sort of) know? [more inside]
posted on Apr 30, 2008 - 17 answers

What's another word for the feeling you get after an all-nighter? It's not euphoria, giddiness, silliness, or simply high.. [more inside]
posted on Apr 29, 2008 - 26 answers

Castillano vs. Espanol? Which is appropriate in the US? In Mexico? Elsewhere? [more inside]
posted on Apr 29, 2008 - 26 answers