Wondering what gifts to give this holiday season? How about the gift of language? We all know someone who could benefit from a language course. Know any students or anyone planning a trip abroad in the next year? You could even find a few things you want yourself and start dropping some hints. I make a list every year!
I have been raving about Tell Me More Performance level products since I first received Tell Me More German Performance earlier this year. For this weekend only Tell Me More is offering an exclusive discount of 15% off all products! Click the link above for more information.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
The Hawaiian Language
I've added a few much-needed resources to the Hawaiian page. The Kulaiwi link is a great resource, especially for a language like Hawaiian that has so few learning resources available. This site has 30 hour-long videos on learning Hawaiian, with pdf transcripts of the first few episodes and even a workbook. All this is available for free.
The state of the Hawaiian language appears quite good. From near-death only a few decades ago, a campaign of rebuilding confidence in the language is really taking root. The effort should be a model for other endangered languages. They have been focusing on teaching children in bilingual and even full immersion settings and it is working wonderfully. The children have really taken the Hawaiian language as their own and it's the parents and adults who are trying to keep up! That bodes well for the future of Hawaiian.
The state of the Hawaiian language appears quite good. From near-death only a few decades ago, a campaign of rebuilding confidence in the language is really taking root. The effort should be a model for other endangered languages. They have been focusing on teaching children in bilingual and even full immersion settings and it is working wonderfully. The children have really taken the Hawaiian language as their own and it's the parents and adults who are trying to keep up! That bodes well for the future of Hawaiian.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Friendsabroad Acquired by Babbel
I just read that Friendsabroad.com has been acquired by Babbel.com. It sounds like Friendsabroad will be disappearing, and any accounts should be transferred to Babbel within the next 6 months. Friendsabroad will continue to function during that time.
I have just transferred my account and briefly checked out Babbel for the first time. I find Babbel to be similar to Lingq (I seem to be comparing everything to Lingq these days!) I like Lingq better, especially since it has been recently restructured. Actually I like Friendsabroad as it is, but I guess I'll have to get over it if it is going to be phased out.
I don't know if Babbel will be adopting Friendsabroads features, it doesn't sound like it. Babbel includes support for those learning English, French, Spanish, Italian and German. Friendsabroad mentions that it has members learning 80 languages. What happens to the other 75 languages in Babbel? It is unclear if accomodations are going to be made for people learning those languages.
I have just transferred my account and briefly checked out Babbel for the first time. I find Babbel to be similar to Lingq (I seem to be comparing everything to Lingq these days!) I like Lingq better, especially since it has been recently restructured. Actually I like Friendsabroad as it is, but I guess I'll have to get over it if it is going to be phased out.
I don't know if Babbel will be adopting Friendsabroads features, it doesn't sound like it. Babbel includes support for those learning English, French, Spanish, Italian and German. Friendsabroad mentions that it has members learning 80 languages. What happens to the other 75 languages in Babbel? It is unclear if accomodations are going to be made for people learning those languages.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Computer Problems
I am having ongoing computer problems with my main work computer which has caused me to completely wipe the hard drive. I archived as much as I could, but there are a whole bunch of things that I will have to recover from sources on the internet or wave goodbye to. I'll also have to reinstall lots of software - Tell Me More, BYKI, Rosetta Stone, a few Transparent Language programs, Ergane. I've lost a downloaded multilingual dictionary program that I can't find the license for. I didn't have time to archive a bunch of podcasts that at least I can get for free, but it will take time getting them back. This, of course, takes away time I could be spending working on my sites or studying something. I'm sure you all know my pain.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Dominant Languages
I just read a very interesting article on learning 'dominant languages.'
The author talks about two distinctly different definitions of 'dominant languages' but the one which interested me was the linguists definition - languages that demand learners speak them perfectly. He mentions that French and Thai fit that definition and that English and Italian most definitely do not.
It fascinates me that people consider English a hard language to learn. Not that I disagree, but I always like to qualify that with 'hard to learn to a high degree' and yet 'easy to speak badly.' Having grown up in New York, I've heard all manner of bad English spoken by foreigners over the years and my ears are attuned to it. This is what the author means when he says that English is not a dominant language (by this definition) - it doesn't demand much perfection from the learner.
The opposite is French, which demands that people make a real effort to speak French properly and with a correct accent. But is it the language that demands this or the culture behind it? The French have always struggled to define themselves as separate and distinct from everyone else and refuse to allow anyone else to define them.
British and American culture is quite different, much more fluid, changing with different influences over the centuries. And I believe this is reflected in the English language native to those countries.
The culture that defines the language sets the standards for it. The cultures that define the English language require it to be ever-changing and adaptable. And this is what puts English at the top of the heap under the other definition of 'dominant language,' that of the sociologist - a language that supersedes others or drives them to extinction. And that is an apt description of English today.
Read this interesting article at http://brooklynmonk.wordpress.com/2008/11/13/the-trials-of-learning-a-dominant-language/
The author talks about two distinctly different definitions of 'dominant languages' but the one which interested me was the linguists definition - languages that demand learners speak them perfectly. He mentions that French and Thai fit that definition and that English and Italian most definitely do not.
It fascinates me that people consider English a hard language to learn. Not that I disagree, but I always like to qualify that with 'hard to learn to a high degree' and yet 'easy to speak badly.' Having grown up in New York, I've heard all manner of bad English spoken by foreigners over the years and my ears are attuned to it. This is what the author means when he says that English is not a dominant language (by this definition) - it doesn't demand much perfection from the learner.
The opposite is French, which demands that people make a real effort to speak French properly and with a correct accent. But is it the language that demands this or the culture behind it? The French have always struggled to define themselves as separate and distinct from everyone else and refuse to allow anyone else to define them.
British and American culture is quite different, much more fluid, changing with different influences over the centuries. And I believe this is reflected in the English language native to those countries.
The culture that defines the language sets the standards for it. The cultures that define the English language require it to be ever-changing and adaptable. And this is what puts English at the top of the heap under the other definition of 'dominant language,' that of the sociologist - a language that supersedes others or drives them to extinction. And that is an apt description of English today.
Read this interesting article at http://brooklynmonk.wordpress.com/2008/11/13/the-trials-of-learning-a-dominant-language/
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Wordchamp
I don't think I have mentioned Wordchamp before, and I'm not even sure if I have checked it out myself before now. Wordchamp is a site for language learners and teachers, with tools to help teachers organize their lessons and track their students progress, and has some features for students as well. There is an SRS flashcard feature, a webreader and extensive analytical tools to track your stats and progress.
I find the site similar to Lingq in some ways, but for the most part, it stands apart. Used in conjunction with other sites or language methods, its features could be very complementary. The webreader is interesting, allowing you to read websites in foreign languages and highlight words for their definitions. An SRS (Spaced Repetition System) Flashcard feature is almost essential for any language learner.
I find the site similar to Lingq in some ways, but for the most part, it stands apart. Used in conjunction with other sites or language methods, its features could be very complementary. The webreader is interesting, allowing you to read websites in foreign languages and highlight words for their definitions. An SRS (Spaced Repetition System) Flashcard feature is almost essential for any language learner.
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Tell Me More Review
One thing I like to do before I write a review is actually use the product to get a good feel for how it works. I find that most reviewers only give it a cursory 'once over.' This is not really enough to get familiar with most products. So, as I have been working with Tell Me More German Performance for several months (on and off - unfortunately I can't give it the time it really deserves), I finally have enough experience with it that I feel I can write an adequate review.
I have found it to be the best language learning program available to date! The amount of material for learners (especially at the intermediate level) is outstanding and the extras are great. Tell Me More Performance is far and away the best software solution for learning a language.
The actual program runs beautifully, but will require a newer computer, it's pretty powerful and it's not cheap. The features include lots of audio, grammar, dialogues, pronunciation practice, role-playing, games and excercises, video, assessment tests, online support and more.
Read my Review of Tell Me More.
I have found it to be the best language learning program available to date! The amount of material for learners (especially at the intermediate level) is outstanding and the extras are great. Tell Me More Performance is far and away the best software solution for learning a language.
The actual program runs beautifully, but will require a newer computer, it's pretty powerful and it's not cheap. The features include lots of audio, grammar, dialogues, pronunciation practice, role-playing, games and excercises, video, assessment tests, online support and more.
Read my Review of Tell Me More.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Changing Pimsleur Affiliates
As I mentioned about Amazon a few posts ago, I am in the process of revamping the business side of my website. I am changing Pimsleur affiliates (again). While it is my favorite language method, I have had a very hard time as a website owner in finding a reliable Pimsleur merchant to work with. By reliable, I mean not just reliability and good prices for the customer (which hasn't really been a problem), but also ease of working with them for me as a business owner. One seller of Pimsleur that I have known of for a while is Catees Language World. They are completely dedicated to Pimsleur products and provide just about the best prices you can find on the internet. The changeover will be mostly transparent to visitors and I don't anticipate any problems at all for customers.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Spanish in Miami
My girlfriend and I just took a daytrip to Miami. I was very impressed with the number of people there who speak Spanish, including non-Hispanics. Several times, someone came up to us, assumed we spoke Spanish and just started talking. I responded as best I could, but soon lamented the fact that I get very little practice with 'real live' Spanish, and especially with such a variety. In just one location (around Coral Gables, if you must know) I heard 3 or 4 distinct accents. If I could live in a location like that, my Spanish would be vastly improved in no time. If you ever get a chance to go there, have your Spanish handy and prepare to have it tested!
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