What does English sound like if you don't speak it? [more inside]
posted by grapefruitmoon on Oct 20, 2009 - 47 answers

What do I need to learn to write a Gmail Labs feature? [more inside]
posted by Matt Arnold on Sep 26, 2009 - 7 answers

I would like advice, suggestions, and knowledge concerning my intention to enter into the field of translation. [more inside]
posted by lazaruslong on Sep 17, 2009 - 14 answers

Does everyone categorise shades of colours in the same way? I'm interested in the way shades of colours are bundled together in different cultures/languages. [more inside]
posted by selton on Sep 16, 2009 - 27 answers

Verb conjugation tester for OSX? [more inside]
posted by djgh on Sep 10, 2009 - 3 answers

I am designing a poster in which i would like to include one phrase in roughly 15-20 languages, but would like to know how to say this phrase PROPERLY... [more inside]
posted by slograffiti on Sep 1, 2009 - 37 answers

Cheap, efficient way to learn German online. [more inside]
posted by ekpyrotic on Aug 22, 2009 - 15 answers

What is the best introductory level Portuguese textbook? [more inside]
posted by chrisalbon on Jul 23, 2009 - 9 answers

Is there an online idiot's guide to adding another language to a MediaWiki? [more inside]
posted by mateuslee on Jul 9, 2009 - 1 answer

What are some interesting blogs that touch on both the language and culture of a country? [more inside]
posted by ElectricBlue on Jun 28, 2009 - 7 answers

What are the most common 20% of words in any language? [more inside]
posted by jinatrix on Jun 14, 2009 - 12 answers

Is there a reliable, not-too-expensive hosting company out there that lets you post server scripts in most open-source languages? [more inside]
posted by grumblebee on Jun 5, 2009 - 11 answers

Looking to purchase some awesome linguistics-related posters. I've searched for hours on the internet and I can't seem to find any family tree posters, IPA posters, or even anything remotely related to linguistics that is interesting and somewhat academic. [more inside]
posted by iamkimiam on May 28, 2009 - 8 answers

I need help finding some sort of machine translation software (WinXP) that is free (or else very, very, very cheap) that works for the following languages: Arabic, Hindi, and Latin -- but in PDFs. More than one software/website is fine and there are all sorts of details inside. [more inside]
posted by sperose on May 18, 2009 - 1 answer

Tips for learning a tonal language? [more inside]
posted by AmbroseChapel on May 10, 2009 - 16 answers

I'm going to Germany on 21 May. I've been told (by Germans) that my German is good, but I'd still like to do a bit of immersion before I go to get used to hearing it, etc. I'd particularly like to listen to some German radio. Any favorite stations? [more inside]
posted by bibliophibianj on May 5, 2009 - 10 answers

In the English version of Star Wars, Yoda speaks using some interesting word-order. In other language translations, is this technique carried? [more inside]
posted by nikkorizz on Apr 30, 2009 - 6 answers

Does anyone know of a handy reference of emergency medicine questions and statements in different languages? [more inside]
posted by greatgefilte on Apr 14, 2009 - 4 answers

What is the most effective way to spruce up my spanish in terms of private tutoring, immersion courses, extended night courses, etc? [more inside]
posted by aussicht on Feb 24, 2009 - 4 answers

One for Japanophile Londoners. What are the best options to study Japanese in London? Any recommendations for courses or tutors?. My e-mail's in my profile, if preferred.
posted by blogenstock on Dec 18, 2008 - 2 answers

Help me sound like I know a lot of foreign languages. [more inside]
posted by blahtsk on Dec 17, 2008 - 22 answers

What materials should I keep an eye out for in my quest to study Cantonese? I'm currently working my way through the Pimsleur Cantonese audio course, and I don't know what I should check out after that ends. [more inside]
posted by Xere on Nov 17, 2008 - 3 answers

Do puns exist in other languages? [more inside]
posted by milqman on Oct 30, 2008 - 52 answers

Slightly-random-but-interesting-filter: I've noticed that French books tend to be longer than English books, and German books tend to be longer than both. If given a normally written (so no really fancy words, just sort of... average) English book of 100 pages, which language of translation (using same font and size, as well as same sized pages) would make it the longest? the shortest? Bonus points for approximate page numbers! (thanks!)
posted by Planet F on Oct 21, 2008 - 21 answers

Let's say I want to learn a few (more) programming languages. What application/solution would it be best to try to create in order to really "learn" a given language? [more inside]
posted by Deathalicious on Oct 14, 2008 - 17 answers

Generally speaking, how long does it take for a root language to evolve into mutually incomprehensible offshoot languages? Or, conversely, how long would languages with a common root be understandable to one another's native speakers? [more inside]
posted by CKmtl on Aug 27, 2008 - 9 answers

What makes Japan so great? [more inside]
posted by ThomThomThomThom on Jul 23, 2008 - 25 answers

Learning Portuguese, I think I'm learning Portuguese, I really think so. : Or at least, I'd like to be. [more inside]
posted by grapefruitmoon on Jul 15, 2008 - 9 answers

What do you think of a person when you find out that they are foreigners. I'm specifically asking if you have noticed yourself acting differently to a person with an accent. Lengthy description follows. [more inside]
posted by the_dude on Jul 9, 2008 - 42 answers

I'm looking for pointers on whether TV programs which are subject to censoring of obscene language have to also look out for obscenity in foreign languages. [more inside]
posted by ubernostrum on Jul 7, 2008 - 8 answers

I'm trying to research the equivalents of the English phrases "What can I do for you?" or "How can I help you?" translated into 10-15 other languages. (So basically, across cultures.) [more inside]
posted by visual mechanic on Jun 5, 2008 - 25 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 by shirobara on Jun 4, 2008 - 8 answers

What are the most multilingual websites on the web? [more inside]
posted by Iteki on Jun 4, 2008 - 2 answers

Are some languages objectively harder than others? If so, which ones? [more inside]
posted by greytape on Apr 30, 2008 - 48 answers

Where can I buy the O'Reilly 'History of Programming Languages' poster? I checked ebay and googled around a bit, but couldn't find any for sale. I don't have plans to attend any of their conferences, is that really the only way to get one?
posted by Who_Am_I on Mar 25, 2008 - 8 answers

LinguisticsFilter: Why are the many Indo-European languages considered to have a common ancestor, whereas Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese and other gramatically and lexically similar languages are grouped into separate language families? How did so many different language families arise in the Americas and Australia given that they were populated by the same groups of people? Much more inside. [more inside]
posted by pravit on Mar 18, 2008 - 46 answers

What programming suites are considered hot these days for for coding standalone Windows applications? [more inside]
posted by crapmatic on Feb 24, 2008 - 10 answers

What can I buy, download or find online to help me learn as much Polish as possible in the next ten days, with a budget of about £50? [more inside]
posted by Lebannen on Feb 20, 2008 - 9 answers

I'm starting to learn German, and I love it- I find everything about the language fascinating, and making my flashcards and doing my speech exercises about how Jan liebt Sara and how das Madchen ist glucklach is the funnest part of my day. I'd like to get good at it. Really, really good. Can you help me? [more inside]
posted by foxy_hedgehog on Feb 11, 2008 - 31 answers

What are the best (free) podcasts for learning languages? [more inside]
posted by lindsey.nicole on Dec 15, 2007 - 10 answers

Children's books in Danish? Books on CD? I need Danish language resources! [more inside]
posted by tejolote on Oct 27, 2007 - 9 answers

Help me type in Japanese! (Mac OS X) [more inside]
posted by melorama on Sep 20, 2007 - 3 answers

I'm studying to take the Japanese Language Proficiency Test in December. I have a shitload to learn and it seems nigh insurmountable, but I can do it. What are the best ways to study for this? [more inside]
posted by borkingchikapa on Sep 9, 2007 - 8 answers

I need to review Russian badly (up to the speaking/writing/listening level of a minor in Russian). I have a semester (two is doable but pushing it) to devote to this. I need some kind of structured process to go about this--while I have textbooks and some materials from years ago it's not enough. Does anyone have any suggestions for other good tutorials? Syllabi? Quick-review websites?
posted by schroedinger on Sep 6, 2007 - 9 answers

Which famous people speak/have spoken other languages? [more inside]
posted by greytape on Aug 21, 2007 - 46 answers

This is a little esoteric (or silly), but does anyone know of a book that gives the words for various animals in multiple languages? [more inside]
posted by leesh on Jul 26, 2007 - 8 answers

How can I eliminate my American accent when speaking Spanish? [more inside]
posted by bijou on Jul 11, 2007 - 16 answers

Need to take a language next year; Japanese or Mandarin? [more inside]
posted by pwally on Jun 26, 2007 - 37 answers

CornballFilter : I'm trying to change the words of an old German song to make a German girl laugh. (Look .... you are just going to have to trust me on this) Need help making it rhyme. [more inside]
posted by DirtyCreature on Jun 18, 2007 - 8 answers

I came across this inscription in a small park near my public library yesterday. What does it say? [more inside]
posted by amusem on Jun 18, 2007 - 19 answers