Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Article about what is the easiest language to learn.

Which is the easiest language to learn? Rating the 14 most popular course offerings.

Author: Dominic Ambrose

Students are often intimidated by the list of language course offerings, afraid of making the wrong choice. There are three factors to consider: linguistic ease for English speakers, accessibility and personal motivation. This article looks at the fourteen most popular university level course offerings and ranks them according to linguistics and accessibility. The personal motivation you will have to supply for yourself.

Which is the best language to learn? Which is the easiest?
Two different questions, often uttered in the same breath. But that’s okay, because there will be only one answer. Whichever language you wholeheartedly choose to study will be both the best and the easiest. However, here’s some help choosing.

The choices.
Here is the Modern Language Association’s 2002 list of the most commonly studied languages at university level in the United States. I have not included ancient languages like Latin, Biblical Hebrew, or Sanskrit, special purposes languages like American Sign Language, or U.S. heritage languages, like Hawaiian or Navajo since the choice of those languages follows a different dynamic.:

1.  Spanish
2.  French
3.  German
4.  Italian
5.  Japanese
6.  Chinese
7.  Russian
8.  Arabic
9.  Modern Hebrew
10. Portuguese
11. Korean
12. Vietnamese
13. Hindi/Urdu
14. Swahili

Difficulty, according to Uncle Sam.
First, consider some cold facts. The U.S. State Department groups languages for the diplomatic service according to learning difficulty.:

Category 1. The “easiest” languages for speakers of English, requiring 600 hours of classwork for minimal proficiency: the Latin and Germanic languages. However, German itself requires a bit more time, 750 hours, because of its complex grammar.

Category 2. Medium, requiring 1100 hours of classwork: Slavic languages, Turkic languages, other Indo-Europeans such as Persian and Hindi, and some non-Indo-Europeans such as Georgian, Hebrew and many African languages. Swahili is ranked easier than the rest, at 900 hours.

Category 3. Difficult, requiring 2200 hours of study: Arabic, Japanese, Korean and the Chinese languages.

Will you get a chance to practice this language?
Now, consider another important factor: accessibility. To be a successful learner you need the chance to hear, read and speak the language in a natural environment. Language learning takes an enormous amount of concentration and repetition, which cannot be done entirely in the classroom. Will you have access to the language where you live, work and travel?

The 14 most popular courses according to a combination of linguistic ease and accessibility.

1. Spanish. Category One. The straightforward grammar is familiar and regular. It is also ubiquitous in the Americas, the only foreign language with a major presence in the insular linguistic environment of the U.S. Chances to speak and hear it abound. It is the overwhelming favorite, accounting for more than fifty percent of language study enrollment in the MLA study.

2. French. Category One. Grammatically complex but not difficult to learn because so many of it's words have entered English. For this vocabulary affinity, it is easy to attain an advanced level, especially in reading. It is a world language, and a motivated learner will find this language on the internet, in films and music.

3. German. Category One Plus. The syntax and grammar rules are complex with noun declensions a major problem. It is the easiest language to begin speaking, with a basic vocabulary akin to English. Abstract, advanced language differs markedly, though, where English opts for Latin terms. It values clear enunciation, so listening comprehension is not difficult.

4. Italian. Category One. It has the same simple grammar rules as Spanish, a familiar vocabulary and the clearest enunciation among Latin languages (along with Romanian). Italian skills are easily transferable to French or Spanish. You might need to go to Italy to practice it, but there are worse things that could happen to you. It is also encountered in the world of opera and classical music.

5. Russian. Category Two. This highly inflected language, with declensions, is fairly difficult to learn. The Cyrillic alphabet is not particularly difficult, however, and once you can read the language, the numerous borrowings from French and other western languages are a pleasant surprise. It is increasingly accessible.

6. Arabic. Category Three. Arabic is spoken in dozens of countries, but the many national dialects can be mutually incomprehensible. It has only three vowels, but includes some consonants that don’t exist in English. The alphabet is a formidable obstacle, and good calligraphy is highly valued and difficult to perfect. Vowels are not normally written (except in children’s books) and this can be an obstacle for reading. It is ubiquitous in the Muslim world and opportunities exist to practice it at every level of formality.

7. Portuguese. Category One. One of the most widely spoken languages in the world is often overlooked. It has a familiar Latin grammar and vocabulary, though the phonetics may take some getting used to.

8. Swahili. Category Two Minus. It includes many borrowings from Arabic, Persian, English and French. It is a Bantu language of Central Africa, but has lost the difficult Bantu “tones”. The sound system is familiar, and it is written using the Latin alphabet. One major grammatical consideration is the division of nouns into sixteen classes, each with a different prefix. However, the classes are not arbitrary, and are predictable.

9. Hindi/Urdu. Category Two. The Hindustani language, an Indo-European language, includes both Hindi and Urdu. It has an enormous number of consonants and vowels, making distinctions between phonemes that an English speaker will have difficulty hearing. Words often have clipped endings, further complicating comprehension. Hindi uses many Sanskrit loans and Urdu uses many Persian/Arabic loans, meaning that a large vocabulary must be mastered. Hindi uses the phonetically precise Devanagari script, created specifically for the language. Predictably, Urdu’s use of a borrowed Persian/Arabic script leads to some approximation in the writing system.

10. Modern Hebrew. Category Two. Revived as a living language during the nineteenth century, it has taken on characteristics of many languages of the Jewish diaspora. The resultant language has become regularized in grammar and syntax, and the vocabulary has absorbed many loan words, especially from Yiddish, English and Arabic. The alphabet has both print and script forms, with five vowels, not normally marked. Vowel marking, or pointing, is quite complex when it does occur. Sounds can be difficult to reproduce in their subtleties and a certain amount of liaison makes listening comprehension problematic. It is not very accessible outside of a religious or Israeli context.

11. Japanese. Category Three. Difficult to learn, as the vocabulary is unfamiliar, and the requirements of the sound system so strict that even the many words that have been borrowed from English, French and German will seem unrecognizable. With three different writing systems, it is forbiddingly difficult to read and write. Also, social constraints may impede useful interaction.

12. Chinese. Category Three. Whether your choice is Mandarin or Cantonese (the MLA survey does not make a distinction, oddly enough). It is the most difficult language on this list. It includes all of the most difficult aspects: unfamiliar phonemes, a large number of tones, an extremely complex writing system, and an equally unfamiliar vocabulary. Personal motivation is absolutely essential to keep the student on track. On the positive side, it is easy to find, since Chinese communities exist throughout the world, and Chinese language media, such as newspapers, films and TV, are present in all these communities.

13. Vietnamese. Category Three. This language belongs to an unfamiliar family of languages, but it does borrow much vocabulary from Chinese (helpful if you already speak Chinese!). It has six tones, and a grammar with an unfamiliar logic. It’s not all bleak, however, Vietnamese uses a Latin derived alphabet. The chances of speaking this language are not high, though there are 3 million speakers in the USA.

14. Korean. Category Three. Korean uses an alphabet of 24 symbols, which accurately represent 14 consonants and 10 vowels. However, the language also includes 2000 commonly used Chinese characters for literary writing and formal documents. Speech levels and honorifics complicate the learning of vocabulary, and there is liaison between words, making them hard to distinguish. The grammar is not overly complicated and there are no tones. It borrows many Chinese words, but the language is unrelated to other languages of Asia.

The most important factor of all: personal motivation.
The third, most important factor is up to you. The easiest language to learn is the one that you are most motivated to learn, the one you enjoy speaking, the one with the culture that inspires you and the history that touches you spiritually. It is useless to try to learn a language if you are not interested in the people who speak it, since learning a language involves participating in its behaviors and identifying with its people.

So, consider all three factors: motivation, accessibility and linguistic ease, in that order, and come up with the final list yourself. The bad news is that no language is really easy to learn, but the good news is that we humans are hard wired for a great amount of linguistic flexibility, as long as we know how to turn on the learning process. If the rewards and benefits of the language are clear to you, you will be able to get those rusty language synapses sparking in your head and start the words rolling. Bonne chance!
you, you will be able to get those rusty language synapses sparking in your head and start the words rolling. Bonne chance!


Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_192140_22.html

About the Author: Originally from New York City, I have lived and worked in many parts of the world, as a language teacher and writer of both fiction and non-fiction. My linguistics articles have appeared in educational journals and my fiction in various literary publications. I have exhibited my photography in New York and Washington, D.C. Presently I live in Paris, for the inspiration and the chance to experience everything anew. Find out more about my projects and writings at my website, www.dominicambrose.com

http://dominicambrose.wordpress.com

Monday, March 8, 2010


Thursday, March 4, 2010

The Spainsh landscape.

On-line Spanish to English dictionaries.

Online Englishto Spanish Dictionaries

Author: Lori

Learning Spanish: Spanish Lessons - Clothing

Spanish Lessons Free
And it's no wonder that Spanish is a popular second or third language: with some 400 million speakers it's the fourth most commonly spoken language in the world (after English Chinese and Hindustani) and according to some counts it has more native speakers than English does. And while mastering the grammar of Spanish can be a challenge basic grammar is straightforward enough that you can have meaningful communication after only a few lessons.  The ability to speak Spanish may very well be a necessity in the future so teaching children to speak Spanish while they are young and capable of easily absorbing it is an excellent idea.  If you don't learn Spanish you may actually be making your life easier as you will be less likely to use Spanish services. If you feel like the pronunciation help in a regular dictionary isn't enough you can always buy a Spanish pronunciation book that gives you more examples and more in-depth analysis of Spanish pronunciation.  When I first started to think about how and when I would learn Spanish I honestly thought it was going to be easier than it actually was.

Spanish Grammar Lessons
If you think sentence would be too much for you to translate at this point you can start with words of course. What you've learned in school will really sink in if you have plenty of opportunity to use it.  If you learn basic Spanish then you will be able to communicate with people from as far apart as Brazil to Portugal and even as far as Morocco.  It complements other types of learning like classroom or multimedia courses. See fun learning spanish cd But the Rocket Spanish software has all the features I personally look for in a language learning software.

Learn Spanish Free With Audio
What do we know so far? We found the best approach to language learning is to learn Spanish the very same way you learned your native tongue. Browse around on the Internet.  "Rather it's an opportunity to reach out and help people to treat your Hispanic residents with dignity and respect. There are so many good reasons why a person should learn Spanish that speaking only one language these days is almost inexcusable. Although it may be daunting to think about learning a second language, there are opportunities to learn English/Spanish in a variety of learning styles. You can choose to go the traditional route of taking a language class or buying tapes or CDs, or you can take advantage of newer techniques in order to learn English/Spanish. For example, there is English/Spanish software that offers language lessons using both pictures and speech. In essence, you can see two people interacting, with each work spoken in English, then in Spanish. This software allows you to go at your own pace, and can be configured to teach Spanish to English speakers or English to Spanish speakers.   Grab more at free first grade spanish lessons  Learning a new language is not as hard as most people think as long as you find a course that fits your learning style.

Learn Spanish When You Speak English:
She's spent money she didn't have to attend classes that yielded little in the way of spoken fluency in the language. Using Spanish software enables you to streamline your learning and accelerate your ability to speak and converse.  After you check out a book that seems interesting begin to try reading it.  It is usually like English except adjectives tend to go after the noun they describe.  Learn more at http://www.comparespanishprograms.org/spanish-online/interept-spanish-to-english.php  Spanish translators are some of the most critical people I know. Now, I'm not saying this to be mean or demeaning, but rather just stating something that I have come to observe over the almost ten years I have worked in the translation field. So watch out for what the words mean before you assume that they mean the same as the English word.

Susan is an expert in the learning company spanish inc forum for over
20 years. More sources at http://www.comparespanishprograms.info/spanish-learning/best-electronic-english-spanish-translator.php

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Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Where in the World Speak Spanish.

List Of Countries That Speak Spanish And The Number Of

Author: Lori

Learning Spanish: Spanish Language Information

Spanish Language European
Take note if you are planning on a trip to a Spanish speaking country and are interested to learn basic Spanish phrases there are free materials online which you can use. Here you will meet people of all ages coming from all over the world and from different backgrounds and professions. Currently Spanish is the third most spoken language in the world ahead of English which is now fourth. Spanish is a beautiful language and is one of the easier languages to learn and if you want to learn this lovely language these are the four main ways that you can do so. Another way to learn Spanish quick and easy is to ask someone else who is also trying to learn to practice with you. By speaking to each other in the language you are trying to learn, it will be much easier for the both of you to spot each other's mistakes, and to correct your own. This is mostly due to the fact that each of you will be speaking much slower than someone who speaks Spanish regularly. It will not happen overnight.

Help You Learn Spanish
The Spanish influence on literature and the arts has been profound and by learning the language most people can begin to get to grips with the Spanish conventional train of thought and tradition. There are even parts of the country; Miami springs come to mind where there are most likely more people for whom Spanish is their first language than there are people who are native English speakers that's why Spanish became a valuable language to learn the fact is that there are so many opportunities for you to use it. The results indicated that the integrative orientation was most strongly correlated with intrinsic motivation and the more self-determined types of extrinsic motivation (i. Have fun learning! From all corners of the globe more and more people are choosing to learn to speak Spanish as a second language. See audio free learn spanish speak However with Rocket languages there are actually thousands of people have benefited greatly from their multimedia courses to speed up their learning.

Learn Speak Spanish Palm Os
There are numerous websites on the internet that offer at home Spanish courses. Another interesting fact is that 'W' though not a part of the Spanish alphabet has been added to provide for words of foreign origin. " Roughly 32 million people age five or older speak Spanish at home according to Census Bureau figures and nearly half of these people say they don't speak English very well. Furthermore learning Spanish phrases for "pardon me" and other small apologies make people more inclined to help you. Although it may be daunting to think about learning a second language, there are opportunities to learn English/Spanish in a variety of learning styles. You can choose to go the traditional route of taking a language class or buying tapes or CDs, or you can take advantage of newer techniques in order to learn English/Spanish. For example, there is English/Spanish software that offers language lessons using both pictures and speech. In essence, you can see two people interacting, with each work spoken in English, then in Spanish. This software allows you to go at your own pace, and can be configured to teach Spanish to English speakers or English to Spanish speakers. Grab more at stalling words in spanish These lessons are available for many different language levels so even if you are a beginner you can learn Spanish in your car.

Math For English Language Learners Who Speak Spanish:
Adults often decide (and are led to believe) if they enroll in a conversational class it will solve the problems of second language acquisition. Learning Spanish is not easy. If the process of learning Spanish is stopped during the three month summer period it could cause a student to forget the majority of what he or she learned during class time. It has answers to many tricky questions on verbs. Learn more at http://www.comparespanishprograms.org/spanish-online/the-learning-company-spanish-default.asp-inc-feedback.php Who's selfinstruction Spanish these days? For starters, residents of the United States, a bunch of people is studying Spanish in record numbers. And it's no bewilderment that Spanish is a popular second or third language: with some 400 million speakers, it's the fourth most commonly spoken in the world, and according to some counts it has more native speakers than English does. This dialect is becoming of greater significance in Europe, considered the foreign phraseology of election English. Since Spanish is also a Latin language, you will find as you study Spanish that you have a better understanding of your native vocabulary. It is an official lingo on tetrad continents and is of historical prominence elsewhere. Spanish is poised to become the second largest spoken language in the world.

Paul is an expert in thanksgiving story spanish translation for over
20 years. More sources on learning spanish at http://www.learningspanish-online.info/learn-spanish-audio/i-want-my-child-to-learn-spanish-w-disney.php

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Learning Spanish on line.

A Free Online Guide To Speak Spanish

Author: Lori

Learning Spanish: Learning Speak Spanish Language Beginer

Learn Spanish On The Internet
All those who have studied a foreign language understand the process of trial and error each of us goes through as we learn to speak in a new language. If you are in college you may want to check out the English as a Second Language program. All these little things can set you apart or help you fit in. You may be wondering why you would choose to learn Spanish language on podcast when there are many ways in which you could effectively learn the language. Well, for one thing, learning to speak Spanish on podcast is very cheap as compared to attending classes whether they may be online or in a real school setting. It is also cheaper than buying self-help DVDs that would teach you how to be fluent in the language. And if you already have an iPod, downloading a video that could teach you how to learn Spanish on podcast is very affordable and would not require the same amount of money as compared to buying a DVD or enrolling in a class. But this is not very surprising considering that it is an official language in at least four continents. .

Spanish Grammar Lessons
If the word order is changed it is likely to change the meaning of the sentence. "There's every reason for someone involved in business to acquire some Spanish survival skills and learning it doesn't mean you're helping Spanish overtake English" she told her students all associated with the Arizona Multihousing Association. Instead learn a simple phrase for "excuse me sir". See how to speak spanish cd Staying in the country and attending proper Spanish lessons is probably the best way to learn especially if the student avoids the temptation of visiting tourist areas that predominantly speak English.

Free Online Spanish Language Courses
The ideal is probably 4 hours or less this will give you plenty of time to enjoy other activities and put into practice what you've learned in class. For some this maybe attending a night class with other students or some may prefer one-to-one tuition or maybe learning in private suits others. Another option is to learn it from a Spanish speaking country where it allows you to learn the language in a relax manner while at the same time you can learn to appreciate their culture. Grab more at spanish to english interpreter salaries Although it may be daunting to think about learning a second language, there are opportunities to learn English/Spanish in a variety of learning styles. You can choose to go the traditional route of taking a language class or buying tapes or CDs, or you can take advantage of newer techniques in order to learn English/Spanish. For example, there is English/Spanish software that offers language lessons using both pictures and speech. In essence, you can see two people interacting, with each work spoken in English, then in Spanish. This software allows you to go at your own pace, and can be configured to teach Spanish to English speakers or English to Spanish speakers. If you are complete beginner you must of course understand that nothing you do will fool anyone into believing you actually are a native Spanish speaker.

Spanish Language Deficient:
Potential employers are already looking for people who are polyglots (more than one language) and people who possess this ability are always in demand. In the late 15th century the kingdoms of Castile and Leon merged with that of Aragon and Castilian became the official language of all Spain. Additionally learning a language requires a particular mind frame and the skills developed from building up a second or third language can be applied in everyday situations to great effect. The type of Spanish language program you opt for will of be determined partly by your specific needs. There are many different types of program offered by language schools in Spain, including general Spanish, Spanish for business, Spanish for academic studies, and Spanish for art courses, music, design and culinary arts. Learn more at http://www.spanishlanguageprograms.info/speak-spanish/spanish-people-who-learned-english-for-6-month.php I thought if so many of them can learn a new language then it couldn't be that difficult! Now when I think about Europeans speaking English I realise that they are so good at it because they have been learning it practically since they started to learn their own languages.

Kelly is an expert in

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