I am currently studying 3 of the 4 main romance languages along with beginning a study of two dialects of Chinese. (Yes, to answer you, I am insane) To further my linguistic abilities in all those languages here is what I’m looking for:
* penpals who speak French, Spanish, and/or Portuguese fluently or better so you can correct me
* If you speak Mandarin/Cantonese and can offer helpful learning hints to get me started I would also appreciate that
* where can I find some learning aids for Portuguese and Chinese? Spanish and French are easy enough to come by
There is no substitute for knowing a native speaker in a language if you really want to learn it. Barring this, however, the next place to look is a good bookstore. They usually have books with tape cassettes by Berlitz, Pimsleur, The Language 30 series and many others. The Language 30 series is one of the easiest to start with. You can order these on the internet if you live an an area far from any bookstores.
I followed your suggestion and went to Barnes & Noble and to Borders. Amazingly, they were sorely deficient in the areas of Portuguese and Chinese. I did find, however, that Emeril Lagasse has published quite the library of cook books. ;)
Someone recently pointed out that school text books are good too. So I called the best univeristy I know for languages - Brigham Young University. Even though I am willing to give them money they seemed very reluctant to seel me anything. Despite the fact that this is grossly off topic for a language blog, people still take money in this country don’t they?
Anyway, thank you for the help. It got me started if nothing else.
[quote author=Iterman link=board=translate;num=1096938482;start=0#3 date=10/23/04 at 06:02:59]As for Chinese, why don’t you try http://www.euroasiasoftware.com
and you will have your teaching aid on your pc.
Kindly,
Iter
I hadn’t found that one. Thanks! Their msg board, with posting in Chinese and Japanese, looks useful for a beginner.
I enjoyed reading about my zodiac sign Horse, whose esoteric meanings I never have bothered to explore or have been little aware of :-[ . According to Western astrology I am a Libra with balanced ideas and yearning for fairness but according to Zodiac system I am a Horse with frivolity and emotion-centred character. Now how can I balance between them?
Jasivit, I sent you a private message a long time ago, maybe you haven’t seen it. To access it, go to the top right corner of the screen and you’ll probably see the number 1 or maybe 2, or 3, or 4, etc. if anybody else has sent you a private message.
Welcome to the Agora, olissipo!
Post early, post often, but most of all post quick while the servers are functioning correctly! :D
I see that your screen name is the origin of Lisbon. I found a couple different definitions for olissipo: "friendly bay" and "enchanting port". Is there an "official" view for the name of the city?
By "official": is there a standard story taught in school, or posted on a historical marker, or something like that…
(Sometimes the information available on an internet search is someone’s guess repeated as fact by numerous other people.) However, I think you’ve answered my question. Thanks. :)
Well, in school we are taught that the original latin name was "Olisipo"...(I don´t know if the difference in spelling of Olissipo´s nickname has any relevance.. ::)) but anyway, just a direct answer, even though you have already been answered :P ...
[quote author=jasivit link=board=translate;num=1096938482;start=0#0 date=10/04/04 at 21:08:02]
* If you speak Mandarin/Cantonese and can offer helpful learning hints to get me started I would also appreciate that
* where can I find some learning aids for Portuguese and Chinese? Spanish and French are easy enough to come by
