Language Survey Updates

I have updated the results on the Most Beautiful Language Survey page. There is now a Top 10 List for both the Most Beautiful Spoken Language and the Most Beautiful Written Language. I will update these Top 10 lists from time to time.

I have also changed the Hardest Language to Learn Survey. There are no longer any choices, just a space for write-ins. After more than 1500 responses, there is a good enough number to get a reasonably accurate sampling. But putting a group of choices first may be unintentionally skewing the results in favor of those languages. So, I have removed the choices. I will see how this affects the results. It should be interesting.

LiveMocha - More Sites for Learning Languages

As part of our study regimen it is essential to add penpals, live chats and even voice chats to our mix of language learning tools. There are dozens of sites that offer these features specifically for language learners. I thought the Language Penpal Resources page had more than enough variety, but every time I turn around, there is another site for language learners. I don't think having anymore of these sites can hurt, but I just can't keep up with them all! The good news is that some of the newer ones have deep pockets. They can afford to spend on some very good features. Here is an in-depth review of LiveMocha - one of the most popular new sites - http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/livemocha-smell-the-coffee-and-learn-the-lingo/

National Languages in Africa

African countries often have a problem that European countries never had : no single unifying native language. No national language around which to rally. Most often, the unifying language or languages (if there even are any) are former colonial languages like English or French.

Most African countries have many, even dozens, of different languages. Tradition and rivalries between tribes and ethnic groups often make it difficult to accept one language over another as an official national language.

The one possibility which seems acceptable to the largest number of people is several official languages taken from the largest and most influential ethnic groups, but alongside the language of their former colonial rulers. It is often one of the few unifying factors keeping the country together (Nigeria comes to mind). They recognize the need for national identity and heritage, but they are also taking the most practical approach.

Here is an article about just such a debate in Ghana.
http://www.modernghana.com/news/173286/1/which-local-language-for-a-national-language.html

Tell Me More German Performance

I've started a blog to document my efforts to learn German using Tell Me More German Performance Edition. I am not very far into the program, but my first impressions of the software are very good. It seems to be very thorough with lots of features. If you are interested in learning German or the Tell Me More software for another language, read Learn German With Me.

Aramaic, Syriac and Mandaic

Here is a really interesting article on Biblical languages. It goes into some detail on Aramaic and related languages (Syriac and Mandaic specifically) and their writing forms. It contains insights into their relationships and lots of books and resources to study these languages. Very interesting article even if you aren't going to study them.

http://exploringourmatrix.blogspot.com/2008/06/syriac-aramaic-and-mandaic-learn-one.html

National Museum of Language

Did you know that there was a National Museum of Language? It opened its doors in College Park, Maryland just last month. I found references to the museum over the last year or two and I was glad to hear it has finally opened. I am certainly going to visit the museum the next time I am in the Washington DC area and I plan to become a member. Learn more about the National Museum of Language at www.languagemuseum.org/

Lingq

I have been experimenting with Lingq in recent months. It's a website for language learners to learn and track their progress. They provide learning materials (audio with transcripts, podcasts, dialogues etc) and ways to hook up with other learners and even teachers to learn from. There is a point system where through earning points by adding content or buying points, you can use those points to buy services like having your written work corrected or participating in voice chats. There is a great feature whereby you can set goals and track your progress. It's fun to use and they are always adding new content, languages and features.

Tell Me More German

I have received from Auaralog a copy of Tell Me More German Performance which looks very promising. It is a very comprehensive program, so it will take me some time to work with before I give it a proper review. My initial impressions are that it is a very thorough course which has a great look to it and many helpful features. This Performance product looks to be their new flagship product. Look for an upcoming review.

TELL ME MORE German
Language Learning Software

And again, I must stress - too many people are looking for one product to answer all of their questions or teach them everything. That doesn't happen (at least not yet). I always recommend using several language products to learn from, and to keep learning long past your 'core method' with the many resources that are available these days.

Advantage Language

There is a nice alternative to other, more popular, published language methods. Advantage Language makes a software program to study Spanish, French, Italian or German. It comes with all the bells and whistles of other programs - audio and text, a variety of exercises to test your knowledge, dialogues, cultural information, etc. It even comes with additional audio CDs, dictionary software, a microphone (for use with the voice recognition parts of the program) and lots of other extras.

I like the content of the program, it's the kind you can begin to use right away as you learn it. There is another feature that I like that I haven't seen any other publisher doing. If you order the full 4-level program, you will receive 1 level each month. This seems very simple but it's a powerful motivator to complete and master each level in time for the next level to arrive. They will work with you if you want to put off receiving the next one, but I think it's great foresight to design a method with a specific time-frame to shoot for.

Look for my upcoming full-page review on the site, or for more information, go to
AdvantageLanguage.com

Learn Hungarian

Hungarian is a another recent language page addition to the site. If you want to learn Hungarian, there are a few great resources that you can use to get started learning on your own. The Learn Hungarian page has some links to outstanding FREE resources for learning Hungarian. Get BYKI Lite Hungarian, FSI Hungarian and listen to the first lesson of Pimsleur Hungarian all for free