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 Language Learning Forum : Language Learning Log |  | |
| pbromide Bilingual Triglot Groupie United States Joined 4546 days ago 76 posts - 98 votes  Speaks: English*, Spanish*, French Studies: Russian, Swedish | Message 81 of 92 27 September 2012 at 2:05am | IP Logged | ||||||||||||||
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That's actually a good idea. I've decided that for French I'll only just read a chapter
of the book per day, and that's my daily studying of French. And I'll just read all the books I have. I tried planning a study abroad for Russia, but unfortunately there's the slight problem of money. Same happened with France. The only place where I could study abroad on some sort of scholarship, interestingly enough, was China. It required taking two Mandarin classes, but that wouldn't be a problem for me (plus learning some characters could help me potentially with Japanese?). So I may be adding Chinese in the near future if I do end up taking classes. All in hopes of going to China. Can you tell I'd really like to study abroad, even if for a short while? I will go to Russia one day. Maybe Sweden, but if I had to pick, I would pick Russia. I've spent so much time and energy on Russian that to not get it to advanced level would feel like giving up. Truth be told, today I felt like giving up when I tried going through a supposedly "elementary" Russian reader (apparently "хлопок" and "мельница" are words students who've done Russian for a year should already know. Because I spend so much time talking about cotton and mills and it's just great to finally have words for it, you know?) and feeling very discouraged because so many words I didn't understand! But I have to get to a good level in Russian. It's a matter of pride at this point. 1 person has voted this message useful | |||||||||||||||
| pbromide Bilingual Triglot Groupie United States Joined 4546 days ago 76 posts - 98 votes Speaks: English*, Spanish*, French Studies: Russian, Swedish | Message 82 of 92 27 September 2012 at 2:56am | IP Logged | ||||||||||||||
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Just a very quick update because other Russian users might find this interesting.
If you know the website "chinaSMACK," the idea (as far as I understand it) is to bring Chinese news from the point of view of netizens responding to it. The stories I've seen are often sensationalist, but since I think pop culture is interesting and reveals a lot about a country, I find it interesting. I found myself wishing there were a similar source for Russia. Ask and you shall receive. Behold russiaSLAM. All the sensationalist news you could ask for, with the added benefit of having the original Russian text when you mouse over the text! I could see this being useful if you want to get a sense of how to speak colloquial Russian, or understand Russian on the internet (decoding Russian comments on YouTube is often an exercise in vanity). At worst, it's cheap entertainment - and I think even the most intellectually rigorous of us will admit that there is a time and place for this sort of thing (and no, the time is not "never" and the place is not "the garbage," you clever folk). I'm going to resume mining for Russian sentences. Speaking of which, I discovered my old (waaaay back from twenty ten, maybe even oh-nine?) Russian vocabulary list, and it's inspiring to see that I can recognize so many of these words. I almost don't want to remove them just so I can look back and see that I have made progress since I started. :) Here are some examples, for kicks and giggles:
Supposed to be кошмар.
Ясно.
I think "you're yanking my chain" has to be the most hilarious translation I could come up with for this phrase.
In the tradition of verbs of motion, Russians do not simply "go" on the internet - there's a special verb for surfing, but only for HTTP and FTP!
Да is a tricky little word. EDIT: from russiaSLAM: дерьмократия. Probably one of the most clever uses of vulgarity I've seen in a while. Edited by pbromide on 27 September 2012 at 3:04am 1 person has voted this message useful | |||||||||||||||
| montmorency Diglot Senior Member United Kingdom Joined 4827 days ago 2371 posts - 3676 votes Speaks: English*, German Studies: Danish, Welsh | Message 83 of 92 07 October 2012 at 7:59pm | IP Logged | ||||||||||||||
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Hi PBromide,
I realise things have gone a bit quiet on the Swedish front, but I just thought I'd mention to you that I went on my "Abba Workshop" (or "Mama Mia Workshop" ... whatever), yesterday. About 45 enthusiastic people, only one other "chap" (who happened to have the same first name, and in his spare time, sang in a barber shop quartet, not, I must admit, my favourite choral style). Led by a wonderful and wonderfully enthusiastic singer, choir leader and whatever known as Jo Sercombe. (She's on the web and Facebook, and I'd encourage any UK-ers with an interest in singing to check her out and think about attending one of her workshops). I'd thought about taking along some of your Swedish Abba Lyrics, but perhaps just as well I didn't, since we only just got through the material Jo had prepared, and none of them included the ones for which you mentioned Abba had recorded in Swedish, although "Waterloo" was on the "possible" list, but unfortunately, we didn't have time for it. She divided us into "high", "middle", and "low" voices, and had arranged the songs in those 3 parts, which we had to learn by ear. I only partially read music, but I wouldn't have minded some notes as an aide memoire. I could remember my notes after she played them to us, but as soon as we listened to the other parts rehearsing, they were gone! And as (of course) we almost never had "the tune", you were always dragged off your own part to those great well known tunes. But still, it was fantasic fun. The most I've had for...as long as I can remember! We did "Mama Mia" in detail, then "Thank You For the Music", "Money" and "I have a dream" as a medley. It gave me even more respect for Abba (especially of course Björn and Benny) as music makers. And I can't get those tunes out of my head now! :-) Not that I mind. Edit: I thought I would look out the originals of the songs in question on YT, and in passing found this interview with Agnetha: Agnetha FäItskog - Interview from December 2004, PART 1/4 It's in Swedish with English subtitles. I haven't looked for parts 2-4 yet. Hope this is of interest. Sorry no Swedish connection but some cruel Abba fun... Edited by montmorency on 08 October 2012 at 6:48pm 1 person has voted this message useful | |||||||||||||||
| pbromide Bilingual Triglot Groupie United States Joined 4546 days ago 76 posts - 98 votes Speaks: English*, Spanish*, French Studies: Russian, Swedish | Message 84 of 92 14 November 2012 at 8:41pm | IP Logged | ||||||||||||||
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Hejsan!
My, it has been far too long since I last posted in this thread. I predicted that school and the vicissitudes of life would prevent me from studying my languages, and I was quite correct. Today, however, I came across a catalyst that inspired me to restart my foreign language studies, particularly Swedish. See, it turns out that there are a few Swedish exchange students at my college and I got to meet them! One of them was kind enough to give me an e-mail. Considering how rare Swedes are where I live, I don't think I'm going to pass up this opportunity to speak with a native speaker of Swedish. As such, it's back to my books for me! I passed my Russian class, by the way. I did credit by exam and passed with an A (and the mistakes I made were really stupid ones, one of which was I forgot exactly how to spell the Russian word for cheese). As such, I have quite a lot of free time now, some of which I spend volunteering with autistic children and another which I spend doing unpaid secretarial work. Even with all that, I have more than enough time for school and my own personal activities. Just a few days ago I went to Barnes & Nobles and purchased three books on linguistics, two of them from Saussure and Chomsky. I figure if I want to be a linguistics major, I should supplement my education being that my school does not offer the necessary courses. Saussure's "A General Course in Linguistics" is quite interesting. Definitely a necessary read for anyone interested in understanding the basis for modern linguistics, and also offers up interesting points of discussion. But I digress. Now that I've passed Russian I, I can no longer say I don't have time for Swedish. Plans are needed. What am I going to do? a) I will finally read that book "Och Piccadilly Circus ligger inte i Kumla." I will write down all the relevant new words and SRS them. b) I'll get back to watching Swedish documentaries. A friend of mine recommended one to me about the Civil Rights Movement in the U.S. from the perspective of Swedes. c) I will finally finish the Swedish grammar book! So three things, two passive and one active. I think that's a fair thing to ask from me. Since I still have free time at school, I can spend those normally wasted hours on something productive.
Be it ABBA or Mamma Mia, the tunes are the same, and that's what matters! I'd have been quite surprised if you managed to get an English choir singing in Swedish - that would definitely be something to hear! On a smaller note, you're not a fan of barbershop quartet? Ah well, different strokes for different folks! I love that sort of tight harmony.
I know just what you mean. The same thing happened to me in the chorus for the school musical just this past school year. Singing the lower harmonies can be more challenging that singing the high part! The end result, however, is simply lovely and quite worth the effort, I think.
People really underestimate the intricacy of ABBA's work, especially their harmonies. I have a very hard time picking them apart when they're so intertwined! I'm glad that you had a lot of fun, and even more glad to learn that your fun was ABBA-related! And I can't get those tunes out of my head now! :-) Not that I mind.
It is, actually. I'd been wanting to tackle that interview, but I'd forgotten it existed (the irony of there being too much Swedish?). [quote]Sorry no Swedish connection but some cruel Abba fun... I think I can remember this video from way back when it was first posted! It's hard to believe it's been six years since I first sawy. It is indeed cruel fun. "Having to marry the one with the beard..." 1 person has voted this message useful | |||||||||||||||
| pbromide Bilingual Triglot Groupie United States Joined 4546 days ago 76 posts - 98 votes Speaks: English*, Spanish*, French Studies: Russian, Swedish | Message 85 of 92 09 January 2013 at 1:06am | IP Logged | ||||||||||||||
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So a friend of mine hooked me up with a friend of hers who speaks Russian, and we've
been conversing. It's a great way to keep my Russian alive and I've learnt quite a few idiomatic phrases. I also have a friend who speaks French, and if the stars align I might come in contact with a friend of a friend who speaks Icelandic. Unfortunately, nobody seems to know any Swedes, but c'est la vie. I've decided to read a book in Russian by the end of the year. If I were more daring, I might decide to read a book in Swedish, too, but I've got too many resolutions (release an album, learn four piano pieces, read in Russian...). I try not to make more than two very vague ones, but we'll see. I'm totally trying to revive my languages this year, as well as sharpen my music skills. Ideally, I'd do one book in each of my languages (French, Russian, Swedish) but we all know that's not going to happen, especially when I want to learn my piano pieces as well. I may as well try though. My goal for this year is going to be Active Communication Skills. I want to be able to communicate and be understood, not just nod at what everyone says. 1 person has voted this message useful | |||||||||||||||
| pbromide Bilingual Triglot Groupie United States Joined 4546 days ago 76 posts - 98 votes Speaks: English*, Spanish*, French Studies: Russian, Swedish | Message 86 of 92 05 February 2013 at 4:37pm | IP Logged | ||||||||||||||
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I finally started reading "Och Piccadilly Circus Ligger Inte I Kumla." Predictably, it's difficult for me to understand anything, but that's life, I suppose. I got to go through it. It was my new year's resolution. ;) I don't know what my approach will be other than just reading it. I'll have to plan that out after this hell week.
Had some fun translating "Anna (Go To Him)" to Russian and Swedish. It's a very simple song, but even then I tried to communicate the feeling. Anna, you come and ask me girl to set you free girl you say he loves you more than me so I will set you free go with him Anna, girl before you go now I want you to know now that I still love you so but if he love you more go with him All of my life, I've been searching for a girl to love me like I love you oh now, but every girl I've ever had break my heart and leave me sad what am I, what am I supposed to do? Anna, just one more thing girl you give back your ring to me and I will set you free go with him. Анна, ты спросишь меня пусть тебя уходить Скажишь, что он любит тебя больше, чем я Тогда пусть будет так Уходи (с него) Анна,ещё одна вещь, только хочу скатать тебе что я навсегда буду любить тебя но он любит тебя больше Уходи (с него) Анна, хочу скажать ещё вещь Дай мне твоё пальцо и будешь свободна. Уходи (с него) Вся моя жизнь, я искала девочку, ту кто полюбит меня как я люблю тебя Боже мой! Но Каждая девочка уходила от меня для другого Что мне делать, что мне делать? Оо... Anna, du kom till mig att be att låt dig gå du säger han älskar dig mer än jag och säger det ar så gå med honom Anna, kära, innan du går jag vill att du veta att jag ändå älskar dig men om han älska dig mer gå med honom Alla mitt liv, jag har sökt en kär flycka som ska älska mig hur jag har älskat dig men varje flycka jag har hade har bröt mitt hjärta utan ånger Vad kan jag, vad kan jag göra da? Anna, ändå grej innan du gar, Du ger till mig igen min ring och jag ska lat dig gå, gå med honom. 1 person has voted this message useful | |||||||||||||||
| pbromide Bilingual Triglot Groupie United States Joined 4546 days ago 76 posts - 98 votes Speaks: English*, Spanish*, French Studies: Russian, Swedish | Message 87 of 92 09 February 2013 at 8:35pm | IP Logged | ||||||||||||||
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Jag har inte talade på svenska för många månader. Jag vet inte vad jag skulle säga här,
men jag känner att jag skulle skriva någonting, även om jag vet precis vad det är. Jag har börjat lisa "Och Piccadilly Circus ligger inte i Kumla." Jag förstår inte allt som händer, men jag förstå en lite. :) Låt oss prata om språk. Språk är mycket kul, är det inte så? Jag skriver på språk på min blog och jag gillar göra det. Denna här är grejer om lingvistik. Till exempel, det gäller att det finns en könsneutral personlig pronom, "hen." På engelska, man säger "they" (även om många folk tycker dålig om det). Men vad säger man på spanska? Hindi? Я тоже не говорила по-русский. Я почти забыла много слов, как "существовать". У меня нет времена, чтобы читать на иностранных языках. Это очень неудачно. Ну, я должна теперь читать мою шведскую книгу. 1 person has voted this message useful | |||||||||||||||
| pbromide Bilingual Triglot Groupie United States Joined 4546 days ago 76 posts - 98 votes Speaks: English*, Spanish*, French Studies: Russian, Swedish | Message 88 of 92 10 February 2013 at 4:34pm | IP Logged | ||||||||||||||
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Today's going to be a busy day. Science and English literature beckon, but alas, so do
Russian and Swedish (and all the other languages sitting on my bookshelf...). I need to figure out a way to get them back into my schedule. Perhaps listening to radio on the way to school or something along those lines? I no longer have huge spaces in between my classes. Русский: Доброе утро, товарищи! Я буду занятой сегодня. Нужно изучать науку и английскую литературу. Сейчас время и обязательства ограничивают меня. Что делать? Не всегда легко учить в "хонорском" (?) программе. Я должна пересмотреть падежи. Я забыла многи склонении. Но где время? Svenska: Det är inte enkel. Jag har inte varit en bra student, måste jag säga. :P Jag har inte hade tiden för att studera och göra alla grejer, som jag måste göra. Det är problemet när man har inte läxa. Jag skulle bli mer ansvarig och hantera tiden bättre. Jag känner mig dålig för att jag har inte varit här, i "Hur man kan lära sig varje språk," för tre månader. Jag har inte studerade i den där tiden. Jag känner mig skyldig (???). Dessutom jag är stressad för att jag måste välja en skol för att flytta (???) till. När kommer nästa år, jag måste överföra till en annan skol. Men var? 1 person has voted this message useful |
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