Learning languages

Cab escribió:

But by definition a caña is a stalk (cane, if you like) and refers strictly
speaking to a stem glass. But it blurs - in some places, like where I live,
if you ask for a caña you get a little stem glass. The next one up is a tubo
(tube) which is a straight glass, and if you ask for a jarra, you might get
a half-litre handle glass (aka "a pint") or indeed, you may be presented
with a large jug of beer and some cañas to pour it into.

 

Andy Bonwick escribió:

If you stick to the first bit, fine. The second part doesn't make any sense
and will cause a giggle or a blank look. If you really want to elaborate,
you have to start actually knowing the language. Or just keep it as blunt as
possible "paga éste" - pointing at the amigo in question.

 

Perhaps, but it is *more* than adequately compensated for by improved
discipline to learning. I can learn things now (in my mid 30s) far
quicker, more easily and more permanently than when I was 14. The
difference is like night and day.

It probably does help that my day job is one that requires constant
learning.

 

So does mine. Doesn't mean I do any.

 

I've got a very strong incentive to learn Mandarin so I'm trying all
sorts of stuff. Started with the free course from FSI which I'm still
listening to. Problem with that one is that it's really designed for a
teacher led group. Still, for a course created in 1979 it's pretty good,
especially as it's free.

http://fsi-language-courses.org/Content.php?page=Chinese

 

Nailed.

 

http://tinyurl.com/25y86gw
NY Times, 8-29-2010
"Does Your Language Shape How You Think?"
by Guy Deutscher, School of Languages, Linguistics and Cultures at the
University of Manchester.

 

Thomas escribió:

Heh. Written in Manchester and proof-read (and "corrected") in NY.