What foreign languages do you know/are you interested in?

[Claudya]

But I don't know exactly what is going on grammatically in Japanese.

Neither do I.
The grammar itself is seems rather uncompicated, as far as I know, but the written language (kanji, hiragana, katakana) and all the social concepts of politeness and respect that find their equivalent in language are just confusing. It's so different from the indo-european languages.
Somewhere I read that even the Japanese themselves (especially the younger ones) can struggle with chosing the correct level and form of politeness in a given situation. That really scares me from learning Japanese, because when I'm in Japan I'd probably screw up the politeness and talk like a guy and offend my superiors, and then they'd force me to commit seppuku.

 

[jasoncran]

Neither do I.
The grammar itself is seems rather uncompicated, as far as I know, but the written language (kanji, hiragana, katakana) and all the social concepts of politeness and respect that find their equivalent in language are just confusing. It's so different from the indo-european languages.
Somewhere I read that even the Japanese themselves (especially the younger ones) can struggle with chosing the correct level and form of politeness in a given situation. That really scares me from learning Japanese, because when I'm in Japan I'd probably screw up the politeness and talk like a guy and offend my superiors, and then they'd force me to commit seppuku.

NOT really. from what I was told they respect that fact you attempted to learn their culture and language.

 

[Angel]

I am in love with the Japanese culture and their language! I recently picked up some books on the grammar and hiragana and all that. I also have some material on the japanese language from college. However, it was way too advanced and I ended up dropping the class! :p I look forward to using it once I get more advanced. The grammar is difficult too. Instead of saying :Maria bought bread, they would say: Maria bread bought. Confusing.

Maria-san

 

[jasoncran]

I am in love with the Japanese culture and their language! I recently picked up some books on the grammar and hiragana and all that. I also have some material on the japanese language from college. However, it was way too advanced and I ended up dropping the class! :p I look forward to using it once I get more advanced. The grammar is difficult too. Instead of saying :Maria bought bread, they would say: Maria bread bought. Confusing.

Maria-san

Spanish does that. when its conjugated its does do that. you aren't used to seeing it that way. for instance. te amo. I love you, but literally translated., you, I love.

 

[Angel]

It's interesting that Spanish and Japanese are similar in that regard. They seem so extremely different from each other.

 

[farouk]

NOT really. from what I was told they respect that fact you attempted to learn their culture and language.

The fact that people make the effort is appreciated.

 

[farouk]

It's interesting that Spanish and Japanese are similar in that regard. They seem so extremely different from each other.

Angel:

Yes, well because of the masculine and feminine adjectives, they must agree with the pronoun. In Spanish, the verb 'to be' is distinct enough to make the use of the pronouns unnecessary. But if a lady says 'I am alone', the pronoun 'I' is omitted but understood, and the 'alone' must agree with the implied pronoun: 'Estoy sola'. A man would say, however, 'Estoy solo', agreeing with the implied masculine pronoun.

My guess is that Japanese has something approximately like this going on.

Blessings.

 

[Angel]

Soy loco!

:D

 

[farouk]

Soy loco!

:D

Should read: loca, because Angel is a lady!

 

[jasoncran]

It's interesting that Spanish and Japanese are similar in that regard. They seem so extremely different from each other.

there is a famous Japanese singer. the only thing is she isn't japenese but Spanish!

 

[Angel]

Should read: loca, because Angel is a lady!

ohhhh hehehehe

 

[jasoncran]

Angel:

Yes, well because of the masculine and feminine adjectives, they must agree with the pronoun. In Spanish, the verb 'to be' is distinct enough to make the use of the pronouns unnecessary. But if a lady says 'I am alone', the pronoun 'I' is omitted but understood, and the 'alone' must agree with the implied pronoun: 'Estoy sola'. A man would say, however, 'Estoy solo', agreeing with the implied masculine pronoun.

wrong verb for to be. estar is for location and place, ser is for status, a state.

 

[Angel]

there is a famous Japanese singer. the only thing is she isn't japenese but Spanish!

That's interesting.

Anyone else out there like K-pop? I do!!!

 

[farouk]

wrong verb for to be. estar is for location and place, ser is for status, a state.

You would use Estar with solo, if it means alone in this place.

You would use Soy with solo if it means only one: as in, Soy el solo

 

[Angel]

soy confused!

 

[jasoncran]

You would use Estar with solo, if it means alone in this place.

You would use Soy with solo if it means only one: as in, Soy el solo

I can be both. if its an emotion it can be soy solo. I feel alone. that is what we say with I am alone. if its in a place then yes you could do that. solo allows for that usage. we English speakers don't say I am alone or I feel alone but I feel lonely. that I believe is a different word in Spanish.

 

[farouk]

soy confused!

If you were speaking Spanish regularly you would get the hang of the usage...

Blessings.

 

[YosefHayim]

Ah ha! Cool. What are you using to teach yourself? Online material, a certain book or series, videos, all the above?

Eteacher Hebrew, Hebrew4Christians, Ancient-Hebrew.org, learnhebreweasily.blogspot.com, torrents, and other online material. Also bought a Hebrew novel at a store recently. That way ill hopefully be more motivated to learn just so I can say I read a hebrew novel. I'm also going to try and find more Hebrew music. Surround youself with the media of the language you wanna learn.

I need t read the Hebrew Bible too, of course.

What do you use?

 

[farouk]

Eteacher Hebrew, Hebrew4Christians, Ancient-Hebrew.org, learnhebreweasily.blogspot.com, torrents, and other online material. Also bought a Hebrew novel at a store recently. That way ill hopefully be more motivated to learn just so I can say I read a hebrew novel. I'm also going to try and find more Hebrew music. Surround youself with the media of the language you wanna learn.

It must be nice also to be bilingual in Hebrew and Arabic. Both languages exist side by side, to some extent.

Blessings.

 

[YosefHayim]

It must be nice also to be bilingual in Hebrew and Arabic. Both languages exist side by side, to some extent.

Blessings.

Do you think being bilingual in Latin and Pig Latin would be nice?