Learn A New Language

Viewing 29 posts - 1 through 29 (of 29 total)
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  • #590356
    hpowner
    Member

    I am looking to learn a new language. Does anyone know any languages besides English, Ivrit/Lashon Hakodesh, Aramaic, or Yiddish? If so, do you have a suggestion for which language and/or how to learn it?

    Thanks

    #668256
    Joseph
    Participant

    Yiddish. Come to Williamsburg, where it is the first language.

    #668257
    goody613
    Member

    Spanish. i never used it but what about rosetta stone? or you can learn basic words and read a book in that language and when you get to a word you don’t know look it up and write it down. review often

    #668258
    sunflower
    Member

    sorry 4 sounding rude but are you by chance a little bored? or is this for self education?

    #668259
    myshadow
    Member

    Spanish. Becoming the new English. I took the first lesson on Rosetta Stone and never had time to continue. Gluk!!

    #668260
    anon for this
    Participant

    My husband learned spanish using rosetta stone. Now he can understand/ speak well enough that he doesn’t need an interpreter to help him communicate with his customers.

    #668261
    mepal
    Member

    Get the Spanish to learn English.

    #668262
    dveykus613
    Participant

    I say we should learn arabic since we’ve clearly entered galus Yishmael and we should be able to understand what they are plotting behind our backs…

    #668263
    mepal
    Member

    Leave that to the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Central Intellagence Agencies (for all they’re worth).

    #668264
    the.nurse
    Member

    “get the spanish to learn english”

    lol, mepal that was funny!!

    #668265
    mepal
    Member

    yeah, like lets get our priorities straight here.

    #668267
    Jothar
    Member

    Spanish is the way to go. 1/3 of all New Yorkers speak Spanish. Most workrs in lower positions speak Spanish. Chances are your cleaning lady, babysitter or medical assistant speaks it.

    I also suggest Aramaic as it’s a loshon hakodesh along with classical Hebrew.

    Yiddish- interesting language choice but very few options for learning it.

    #668268

    Learn Latin. Very useful (for science, that is!)

    #668269
    sunflower
    Member

    come on guys. do you want to learn spanish so that you can listen to your cleaning ladies secrets of what she’s really up to? get real. maybe you should brush up on your hebrew and yiddish, thats a good idea and it comes in handy all the time not only by cleaning ladies.

    #668270
    anon for this
    Participant

    People seem to think that by learning spanish one is preventing spanish-speakers from learning english, or that the only reason to learn spanish is to communicate with one’s cleaning help. Actually, understanding/ speaking spanish is a valuable skill that can improve one’s business prospects.

    Two examples: As I mentioned above, my husband learned spanish so he could communicate with his clients without the aid of an interpreter. This helps him gain more clients, which directly affects his salary. My neighbor is bilingual in spanish and english; she works part-time as a translator for therapists who provide services in client’s homes. I’d guess that any therapist who is bilingual could provide services in more settings and find more clients.

    Of course improving one’s yiddish or hebrew is a valuable use of one’s time, but the original poster specifically said he wasn’t interested in doing that.

    #668271
    hpowner
    Member

    I didn’t specifically say I wasn’t interested in Yiddish, I was just curious which other languages would be suggested. Does anyone have any ideas where I would find useful resources to help me learn Yiddish?

    #668272
    anon for this
    Participant

    Sorry hpowner, I misunderstood your request. I don’t know about resources for learning Yiddish.

    #668273
    hpowner
    Member

    Does anyone know if learning German will help to understand spoken Yiddish. If so, do you know of any good resources for learning German?

    #668274
    1st timer
    Participant

    Does anyone know if Rosetta Stone has anything for learning hebrew? My son is taking a Hebrew regent this year, but neither his nor I can even formulate a straight sentence in hebrew. Any suggestions???

    #668275
    mepal
    Member

    Send him to Israel for a week.

    #668276
    mazca
    Member

    i speak fluent spanish and english, understand hebrew, french, and some iddish, but the truth of the matter the languages that are more important in these days are spanish and english, i feel l can fly with both

    #668277
    kapusta
    Participant

    FYI, with a fairly decent amount of prep, I think the hebrew regent is pretty easy. Getting back to the question, I think they have a hebrew section in some of the magazines. (Mishpacha, Olemeinu) I’m sure that would give him a start at least. (The harder words are translated)

    OR,

    just sit down and familiarize yourself with standard verbs in hebrew. Once you know what the basic word means, its easier to deal with the dikduk.

    *kapusta*

    #668278
    Jax
    Member

    1st timer: well there always is the great orange and white Hebrew dictionary to help ya! you can buy it at like Eichler’s i think!

    #668279
    anon for this
    Participant

    1st timer, yes, Rosetta Stone has software teaching Hebrew.

    #668281
    mazca
    Member

    i see must of our readers voted for SPANISH

    #668282
    willi
    Member

    spanish is definitely the most useful/practical, but hp if you’re interested in yiddish you might as well learn it directly and not involve german which will only confuse you. (my best suggestion is by being around / working with yiddish speaking ppl. I know the spanish delivery boys catch on to it pretty fast so it can’t be too hard…)

    #668283
    working
    Member

    English and Yiddish are the only two languages I speak. I suggest living around people that speak Yiddish. It really is easy to pick up since half of the words are english pronounced with the yiddish accent…

    #668284
    bein_hasdorim
    Participant

    I am fluent in English, Yiddish, & pretty good in Ivrit/Hebrew.

    I also speak a little Italian. A few years ago I was interested in learning

    some basic communication in a few other languages,

    so I purchase a cd that covers basic terms, greetings, also basic foods and beverages, how to ask directions, restroom luggage, etc. I think I bought it in Staples.

    It was easy to use/learn and I was very satisfied with my purchase. You can learn at your own pace, and have it repeat words that are harder etc.. Good luck!

    #668286
    willi
    Member

    If you need to learn a new language fluently, you need a reg. professional course / tutor or school. Or online resources, but the bottom line is you’ll have to pay a lot.

    For basics, or to pass an elementary level foreign language class in college, there are many affordable or even free places to access the necessary tools. Try the public library, or google.

    As I said in a previous post, the most effective and cheapest way i.m.o. to learn any new language, is by being among people who speak it. If you have the option visit a country where this is their first language.

    Good Luck.

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