Languages

[uktrail]

Paint: That sounds pretty impressive for getting by. I've been starting to learn Croatian, but I'm pleased to note that there's a lot of similarities with Czech. I'm going to Prague on June 13th. Could you please post here or email me the web address of the Czech message boards, I might find some interesting contacts there. (My email is peterw then AT then uktrail.com ).

[Eagle]

While on the topic of languages, it doesn't appear our local College will be offering any more Italian courses in night school, so I'll have to rely on self study from now on. I've just ordered a new course, and if I have the self discipline to study every day I'm hoping my skills will improve a lot in the coming months. The course that I decided to try (after much research on the net) is from Pimsleur. They seem to have a good reputation and their teaching method (I think it's called "graduated recall" or something?) seems to achieve good results. Apparently, the FBI uses this method to teach their agents foreign languages?

The only problem is that the course is a bit on the expensive side, and consists of three modules (basic, intermediate and advanced), all of which must be purchased separately. One nice feature is that some firms offer the course on an SD Card ("Bookchips") which means I'll have the course with me most of the time, as my T3 PDA is always close at hand. Cassette and CD versions are also offered.

If anyone has had any experience with this particular course, post a note. I'd be interested to know whether it works, or whether I"ve wasted my money?

Cheers!!!

[kena]

French is my first language, I'm fluent in English, I can read and understand Spanish but have a really hard time speaking it.

That being said, what do you consider essential sentences to learn in a foreign language when you're travelling? My non-exhaustive list would certainly contain:

- Courtesy words and expressions (Good morning, good evening, thank you, please, I'm sorry, Excuse me)
- I am from ....
- My name is ....
- Numbers
- Days of the week
- Morning, Noon, Afternoon, Evening, Night, Today, Tomorrow
- Curfew, Tip, Key, Room, Bed
- Open/Closed
- Do you speak ....
- I'd like this (while you point at something)
- Where's the restroom?
- I lost ...
- Basic foods (meats, most common fruits and vegetables, water, milk, juice, wine, beer, coffee...)
- I'm waiting for my boyfriend

[Cat]

I am Dutch, and speak English quite well (at least, I tend to think so ), I can manage in French and German and know some very basic Italian. But my Italian knowledge really consists of what I heard on the street and the signs I read when on holiday. Same goes for Spanish, really.

I was thinking: it might be an idea to puty up a section where people who know the language could write down some basic sentences in that language (German, French, Dutch, Spanish, Italian, and so on)? The questions Kena wrote down could be a good starting point.

Mods and members, what are your thoughts on this?

[LHR02]

I think it's a great idea Cat. Easpecially for those who need 'specific' questions and statements....like Kim when she was there and a vegetarian. Most guidebooks give a pretty good phrase section in them but there are always things not covered.

Kim?

[Cat]

dustoffmom said:

I think it's a great idea Cat. Easpecially for those who need 'specific' questions and statements....like Kim when she was there and a vegetarian. Most guidebooks give a pretty good phrase section in them but there are always things not covered.

Kim?

I'm happy to help out with the Dutch translations.
I might be able to manage French, but I'm sure there are some others around who speak the language much better than I do.

[Eagle]

I've found the Rick Steves Phrasebooks contain a lot of very useful information to cover most "real life" situations, but it's a bit awkward sometimes to be leafing through a book looking for the right phrase to cover a particular situation.

However, I think Cat's idea is excellent as a short summary of common words and phrases would likely be much easier to work with in a practical sense. The group on this Board has a good base of knowledge to define situations where perhaps the usual Phrase Books fall a bit short.

It occurred to me that one format to consider would be to use columns - the phrase or word would be listed on the left hand side, followed by the translation in French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portugese, Czech, Croatian, etc. Using either a Word or Excel format would work, and just provide a link to it on the GFE home page. Depending on how this was laid out, it could be printed on both sides and used as a "cheat sheet" to throw in the Daypack (although plasticising the copy would probably be advisable, or it wouldn't last long). It could also be "shrunk" in a photo copier to make it easier to carry (shirt pocket size?).

I could help with the Italian portion (to the extent of my current knowledge, of course). It would probably be a good idea to find out how Kim feels about this?

BTW, I finally received my new Italian course but it took ages to get here from Texas. I'm sure the firm was getting tired of my inquiries, but at least I have some idea of the mailing time now. Time to get busy and start studying!!!

[LHR02]

Kim's best friend has been visiting and today is the last day of her visit.....so don't expect her to pop in till this evening maybe.

Eagle, I was thinking more along the lines of having a correctly written statement along the lines of "I am severely allergic to nuts" or "I am diabetic" for example....things that may be needed in an emergency and not something phrase books would spell out SPECIFICALLY. Other more general uses as you suggest would also be helpful and I like your idea.

Thinking of my son who has gone into anaphalatic (sp) shock due to his severe allergy to shell fish.....even a hint of it in the broth of a dish could result in a medical emergency for him. Others are the same with nuts, particularly peanuts. It would be so helpful to have that information, totally clear and correct, in the language of any country you were visiting.

Thanks again Cat for a real lightbulb moment!

[Eagle]

Dustoffmom, expanding on your idea, having phrases related to medical conditions is a great idea! Situations such as anaphylatic shock are not covered very well at all in most phrase books.

We all have different "medical profiles" but having something to deal with either specific problems (ie: anaphylaxis) or general problems that all travellers face (ie: gastrointestinal problems due to "strange" water) would be a big help.

[MuvverRussia]

The Lonely Planet phrasebooks are very good for phrases like that. I've got the German one which covers stuff like allergies and general medical conditions (diabetes etc), as well as other more general stuff for backpackers.

There's probably a market for stuff like that though, especially cards to explain (in multiple languages) stuff like anaphylactic reactions, as well as outlining why a patient is carrying adrenaline etc.

[LHR02]

Yep, I'd much rather have a card on me with the appropriate statement to show in an emergency vs trying to locate the words in a phrase book. They might be there, but will I be thinking clearly enough to be able to find them?

[Cat]

Heh, sometimes I have my moments. I'm glad you like the idea.

Regarding the format: adding to the suggestions already made here, it might be good to make a Word of Excel document out of it, where all the sentences are written out per language. That way you could print out an 'Italian card', 'French card' andso on. You could even make a section with general words and phrases (aka what's in most guide books) and a medical section. Members can copy or print out whatever they need and make a document that needs their requirements.

Providing the input could be handeled by PM or mail to a moderator (?), who could add new input to the document which is somewhere on the board. That way you can ensure that the stuff that is put into it is actually the translation of what the english sentence says. Espeacially with medical stuff you want to make sure you know what you are saying!

[Kim]

This is an excellent idea, i LOVE it! We will definately go ahead with it.

I can design page that can be printed off so people can take it with them and add to it as we think of new things etc. It would be bigger than a card as you can't fit many things on a card, esp with multiple languages but people could always copy and paste the areas they want, print it off and have it laminated if that was important.

I'd rather do it through the main site - as in add a section, rather than just do it on the boards as I want to verify everything to make sure it actually says what we think. Like Cat says, you want to be very careful as far as in a medical situation etc.

Once again, great idea!

Kim

[LHR02]

Great Kim! I think also there should be a 'what do you need' sort of thing so people could input what it is they need translated/written out. There is no way any of us could blindly cover every question there might be.

Or add a notice that if they need something specific done to email you and we can try and find that info for them.

Once again Cat......great idea!

[me]

like, i'm sure everyone would need Dutch translations! ;D i've wanted to speak with a Dutch speaker who didn't speak English maybe once in my life! [they *all* speak english, it seems]

Same is true in Portugal. a Portugeese speaker who speaks no English is probably Brazilian!

cat said:

I'm happy to help out with the Dutch translations.
I might be able to manage French, but I'm sure there are some others around who speak the language much better than I do.