English is my first language. When I was very young I had Spanish babysitters, and learned a lot of Spanish. Tonight I spent four hours in the first couple lessons. My goal, Spend at least four hours a day learning a language. When I get fluent in one, I will then learn another language. I figure why not. My Grandfather knew eleven languages. If he could do it, why can't I? I will go as far as I can with google and YouTube for free. When I hit a wall ill buy Rosetta Stone. Any other multiple language speakers out there? Does it get confusing after learning so many?
It's a popular hobby these days. I speak 4 languages. Sometimes you even notice similarities between the languages, as you learn.. not just the words themselves, but the structuring of sentences. For example - in English, if you say Poser, and then say Possum - you'll notice that the S in the first word sounds more like a Z. It would sound differently if you wrote Posser. That would make it sound more like Tosser. The same is in German. In German, if you say Ich hasse dich, it means - I hate you. The SS sounds more like a serpent hiss. If you were to write Ich Hase dich, it would mean - I Rabbit You. The S in the Hase sounds like a bumble bee buzz, just like in English.
You speak Jamaican patois too, I presume? //static.grscty.com//public/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif
I know bits and pieces of a lot of languages, mostly just asking for beer, food or shelter though. The important shit in other words, just in case...I woke up in the middle of the desert once, who the fuck knows when I'll wake up in the middle of another country.//static.grscty.com//public/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif
that's what happens when your a god lol //static.grscty.com//public/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.png
Well first update. I am finished with the first couple free YouTube video lessons on Spanish traditional. Thus far I have spent eight hours studying in the last two days. I am pondering buying Rosetta Stone software, but am unsure of how good the training is. I am having a blast so far, but I think four hours a day study is going to be my mental limit. Another question I am wondering is after say a month of study in Spanish, should I then add in learning another language? Is my brain going to explode? -Cheers!
If I was going to learn another language for the sake of learning another language, I'd make sure it's a language that is inter-related to the ones I already know. E.g. If I know Russian - I'm going to learn Ukranian. It'll be easier - and once I'm done, I'll be able to speak 5 languages. YAY! If I know Spanish - I'm going to learn Portuguese. Yay! 6 languages. Then again, I see no purpose in doing so, since I'm happy with the ones I know, and if anything, I'd rather master them. I have other ambitions, after all //static.grscty.com//public/style_emoticons/default/tongue.png
Hmm doing more research on language learning software. Which one is the right choice? Would I be better off taking a college course? Right now I am listening to free YouTube courses. Kind of funny I live in Arizona and I am enthralled by a traditional Spanish course, narrated by a British Gentleman. I also chose traditional Spanish over Latin American which is common here is cause I can learn traditional and then correct it to Latin American
Another update tonight. Spent eight hours today studying. I have no life, might as well right. My VERY early reviews of Rosetta Stone are good so far. I believe this program will be really great at giving me the ability to listen to basic-intermediate understanding, reading, and writing in Spanish. On the flip side, I do not see this as a very good tool to learn to speak the language. That will have to come from other sources, say YouTube instructions, and even better finding someone to talk to with in real life for practice. If I was rich I would learn as much as I can here and just go live in Spain for a few months, but since I don´t have that option I am doing the best I can. I am looking into signing up at the college here to take Spanish I and II as well. Having a blast so far though! 'Cheers. P.S. I figured out why I decided on Traditional Spanish for my first foreign language. When I was very young I had Spanish baby sitters that spoke exclusively Spanish. I remember Father telling me before he died that at that age I was speaking better Spanish than I was English. P.S.S. I could not pass up the $300 off sale. I went ahead and bought French as well. I will be alternating week by week and learning two languages at once. I will be spending average 8 hours a day. Bring it on. When I actually get good ill post some audio of me say reading an article and let the community judge me.