Bilinguals and polyglots of AskMefi please hope me. I understand a lot of words and grammar in Japanese but don't seem able to use them. How do you make the leap from "knowing" a word or grammar pattern to actually being able to use it in conversation?
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posted by ultrabuff
on Jul 5, 2012 -
13 answers
Is there a compendium of language used to refer to processes/scenarios that were once accomplished/facilitated/created by now-obsolete technology? I'm thinking stuff like "dial", "rewind", "above the fold", etc.
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posted by tehloki
on Jul 3, 2012 -
5 answers
I have done some java but I am still a novice programmer and would need to start from a beginner's level. Could anyone please give recommendations for suitable good books. I will also try the official python tutorial as well, but I don't find online resources on their own to be as good as having a book to supplement helpful online materials.
posted by conrad101
on Jun 27, 2012 -
9 answers
I'm learning sign language, and I thought it'd be fun to practice by making music videos. I'm hearing, but I'd like my videos to be interesting even without sound. Know any suitable songs for this?
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posted by Yma
on Jun 26, 2012 -
6 answers
Are there any very basic resources to introduce spoken Japanese to young English speakers?
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posted by fizban
on Jun 20, 2012 -
5 answers
I was taught French through to Grade 10; however, have been far removed from it since then. I am too shy to try to converse in French with others; but would like to build the confidence to be able to. What are some good strategies for relearning a language and becoming more confident conversing in it at the same time?
posted by jamincan
on Jun 18, 2012 -
5 answers
I have several identical Bonds written entirely in ?Cyrillic/Russian and would much appreciate their headings translated for me. (No need for a full translation!)
Here is a picture.
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posted by lungtaworld
on Jun 16, 2012 -
3 answers
Getting a 2nd Bachelor's in a European country "as a local" - no courses in English. Please share any and all of your experiences! More details inside.
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posted by Pieprz
on Jun 16, 2012 -
6 answers
I have spoken english fluently since I was a child but I know many people that would like to learn or are trying to learn how to speak english. In my opinion the best method is full on immersion in an english speaking country. What would be the best country or place for this to happen?
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posted by mikeanegus
on Jun 8, 2012 -
17 answers
I have a subscription video language learning product - it's a popular iPhone app, and we have two languages- (Spanish and English) - about 30 hours total. We built it in-house and we would love to stream at least a few teaser episodes on Netflix and Amazon. But since we created it, we don't have a distributor who can reach out to Amazon or Netflix. Has anyone done this that could put me in touch with someone? The typical searches have yielded little and emailing support@agiantstreamingmediasite will probably not work...
posted by carlodio
on Jun 6, 2012 -
1 answer
I need to learn Swedish, and I'm not the greatest language student. Who can point me towards the best online resources and courses?
posted by ewan
on May 29, 2012 -
8 answers
I came across a very neat online language learning tool a few weeks ago, but I didn't bookmark it and now I can't find it again. Basically it worked like this: you choose a preset text or story (I think they were mostly fables and fairy tales), your native language, and the foreign language you're trying to practice. Then it shows the text of the story with a few of your native words replaced with their foreign equivalents, letting you learn them in context.
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posted by pont
on May 25, 2012 -
4 answers
My informal English is boring! I'd like to make it more interesting by incorporating new and/or local (to Philadelphia) linguistic features to it.
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posted by Deathalicious
on May 22, 2012 -
18 answers
Do you know of any story based language instruction books? I have a vague memory from when I was a kid (late 70's/early 80's) of reading book that was the story of an american boy going to visit france. The book starts out in english, and adds french words to the story as the boy in the story encounters them. If I remember correctly, the last chapter is entirely in french.
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posted by billyfleetwood
on May 20, 2012 -
8 answers
[Language Processiong / Grammar Question] With a pattern of noun infinitive adjective noun verb infinitive, can the second noun ever be the subject of the verb? Bonus question (below the fold): In the second case does the adverb of the verb always determine the sentiment of the second noun?
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posted by Nanukthedog
on May 20, 2012 -
6 answers
I am female. I have a unisex name. My male partners have always had unmistakably male names. Why, then, have new acquaintances continually called my male partners by my name?!
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posted by thrasher
on May 18, 2012 -
34 answers
Do you know any good videos for young children to learn a little Russian?
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posted by spbmp
on May 17, 2012 -
11 answers
Can anybody help me find TV shows/documentaries/podcasts/literature on doctors and hospitals in Brazilian Portuguese?
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posted by tvdveer
on May 16, 2012 -
3 answers
I'm looking for lyrics (in Russian/Cyrillic) to
this song. I'm not familiar enough with russian to do more than pick out a few words. I don't want the English lyrics, I would like to figure that part out myself. :) Any help at all would be appreciated.
posted by subarctic_guy
on May 11, 2012 -
2 answers
Do we cry over spilt milk or spilled milk? My spell checker says the latter but I remember the former.
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posted by patheral
on May 9, 2012 -
31 answers
When did the use of contractions become common in American English and/or when did the absence of contractions become an (accurate or not) shorthand for outdated diction?
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posted by Admiral Haddock
on May 9, 2012 -
8 answers
Help me find the name of a unique language acquisition method that I've heard about but can't quite identify.
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posted by RapcityinBlue
on May 7, 2012 -
3 answers
When, where and how did the word 'sucks' become somewhat inoffensive, mainstream-- a word that can be said on prime time television? Was there at tv show? Is it generational? Or is my perception regional and based on my cohort?
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posted by sandmanwv
on May 4, 2012 -
43 answers
Have you successfully learned Spanish while working and without travel? What was your process?
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posted by abdulf
on May 1, 2012 -
10 answers
My dad speaks fluent Spanish (and English). I am third-year student of Spanish. Mom and dad know some French. My younger brother (13 years old) only knows English. We all like good plots, good music, and good cinematography. Please suggest some non-English language movies, documentaries, TV series, etc. that we would all enjoy. Bonus points if it's available through Netflix streaming or DVD.
posted by gray17
on Apr 25, 2012 -
15 answers
"That's retarded." Offensive, or not offensive?
Also, if offensive, help me come up with an alternative to my life/work philosophy, which is "Don't Be Retarded."
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posted by eleyna
on Apr 25, 2012 -
85 answers
I got a summer job interview over Skype! Tell me what to expect. The twist: it's in American Sign Language.
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posted by Conspire
on Apr 24, 2012 -
7 answers
My son has become fascinated with non-standard plurals in English, and I need more examples to feed him.
Can you think of more like: Foot --> Feet; Goose --> Geese; Mouse --> Mice. What I'm
not looking for is inside:
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posted by anastasiav
on Apr 22, 2012 -
20 answers
English language friends: Why do we use the word “different” when it doesn’t appear to be necessary?
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posted by bryon
on Apr 17, 2012 -
18 answers
Question about French election 2012 slogan: Prendre le pouvoir! (Hollande) Does it mean We can take it? Or Take it, we can! ???
posted by sparkle55
on Apr 17, 2012 -
14 answers
Is there a usable generic language or set of instructions for giving directions? Regardless of country language or dialect. Directions that are simple, direct and unambiguous. Ie the way to the bank is up the road for five minutes and then go down to my right. Is that up a hill? Down a hill after turning right? How far up the road do i go? Until i start coming down again? Thank you.
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posted by terminus
on Apr 13, 2012 -
16 answers
I'm curious to what
this sign says and I don't even know whether it's Arabic or Persian. It was posted among hipsterish events posters on a busy Montreal street. Anyone?
posted by zadcat
on Apr 1, 2012 -
1 answer
How do I obtain newer Foreign Service Institute language learning coursework and education materials?
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posted by andendau
on Mar 31, 2012 -
3 answers
I am an English speaker learning Russian. I am also interested in the recent protest movements in and around Moscow. Where are the forums/twitter accounts/facebook accounts/blogs where opinions are being formed? They will be used as a resource in learning the language and understanding contemporary russian politics.
posted by 221bbs
on Mar 31, 2012 -
6 answers
Can I trust a web browser's language preference setting to determine whether to provide Spanish-language content to Latino immigrants to the U.S.? (NB: This isn't a technical question, it's a social question.)
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posted by waldo
on Mar 31, 2012 -
10 answers
My dear Egyptian friend calls me "Yah Soosah" and "Yah Habibti." What does this mean? I'm pretty sure these are terms of endearment, but what do they mean? She said "yah soosah" is an old Egyptian word. Help me figure out the meaning of my new pet names. Thank you!!! : )
posted by thatgirl1985
on Mar 26, 2012 -
13 answers
