Many languages have concepts that either don't exist in other languages, or are exclusive to that particular language. In Arabic for example, the word for translation, ترجمة also means interpretation. After all, that is all a translation is. Some readers may be familiar with the term schadenfreude, a German word that has entered the English nomenclature; meaning to take pleasure in the suffering of others. Here are some other neat German words:
Verlieben - to fall in love. It is such a nice thing to see that a language has a single word for this concept.
Zuklappen - to clap something shut, like a book.
Augenblick - a moment or instant. Literally "eye glimpse".
Treppenwitz - a comeback reply that comes to you after the fact.
Wuseln - to scurry about and mix. Think of a bunch of mice running around inside a box.
Blau - literally means blue, however it can also mean to be sloshed / hammered / plastered.
Kippen - Literally, to tilt. Can also be used as a verb meaning "to kick back a few". It can also mean to vote down a bill, or overturn a ruling.
Gemütlichkeit - an abstract term that can mean coziness. According to Wikipedia: "Its closest equivalent is the word "coziness"; however, rather than merely describing a place that is compact, well-heated and nicely furnished (a cozy room, a cozy flat), Gemütlichkeit connotes the notion of belonging, social acceptance, cheerfulness, the absence of anything hectic and the opportunity to spend quality time."
Technology, psychology, and whatever else I feel like writing about.
Showing posts with label arabic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label arabic. Show all posts
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Learning German and Arabic
These are posts I made on a forum regarding learning German and Arabic. Considering the site I originally posted these on were a pay site, I figure they may do more people use here.
German
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I'm currently a (not yet fluent) German language major.
Before I first went to Germany my sophomore year of college I had no experience in German. The three months of summer before I left I practiced on Rosetta Stone for an hour every day. It taught me some basics, but as has been mentioned before in this thread, I learned only very simple grammar. I did however get a leg up on pronunciation. To counterbalance this I bought some textbooks, here is what I suggest:
- Kom Mitt! : http://www.amazon.com/Komm-Mit-Leve...04304975&sr=8-1
- Themen Aktuell : http://www.amazon.com/Themen-Aktuel...04305108&sr=8-1
- Drill yourself in all the grammar and remember all the charts, it will help you later. When you're done with the level one books, move on to level two. Do the exercises, check your answers and DRILL DRILL DRILL. For example, you're in the Navy? Incorporate declensions or counting in German into your workout/push up/whatever routine.
- While you're at it you should buy either an Oxford German dictionary or one of the ones that's yellow and has a big L on it. Buy one full sized one and the biggest pocket sized one you can find.
- This book is a comprehensive German grammar review. We use it in every German language class. I have a love / hate relationship with it. Can be really helpful but it's dry as fuck: http://www.amazon.com/Deutsche-Wied...04305513&sr=1-1
- You can also find pocket German grammar books from time to time, especially in used book shops, if they have a language section. I've made a habit of starting a small collection of them because they're small and inexpensive.
Finally the best way to learn a language is immersion. Watch German films, read German books, even if you have to start with children books. Look up everything you don't know.
On that note, try to find a German speaking partner. Once you start studying a language you'll be surprised how often you hear people speaking it. Also, because of the Cold War there are a lot of people with dual American / German citizenship who you would never know that they fluently speak the language until they tell you. Try to find these people.
In short become an information sponge, and everything will fall into place after years of study! If you need any other pointers on learning German as an adult I would be glad to help. Hope this was helpful! Good luck!
Arabic
--------
I took elementary Arabic I and II in college. This is the textbook we used:
http://www.amazon.com/Alif-Baa-Multimedia-Introduction-Letters/dp/1589015061/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1305493199&sr=1-2
It was an ok book. While a lot of people say Rosetta Stone is not worth the money, it may help you with learning the alphabet and pronunciation of new letters.
German
--------
I'm currently a (not yet fluent) German language major.
Before I first went to Germany my sophomore year of college I had no experience in German. The three months of summer before I left I practiced on Rosetta Stone for an hour every day. It taught me some basics, but as has been mentioned before in this thread, I learned only very simple grammar. I did however get a leg up on pronunciation. To counterbalance this I bought some textbooks, here is what I suggest:
- Kom Mitt! : http://www.amazon.com/Komm-Mit-Leve...04304975&sr=8-1
- Themen Aktuell : http://www.amazon.com/Themen-Aktuel...04305108&sr=8-1
- Drill yourself in all the grammar and remember all the charts, it will help you later. When you're done with the level one books, move on to level two. Do the exercises, check your answers and DRILL DRILL DRILL. For example, you're in the Navy? Incorporate declensions or counting in German into your workout/push up/whatever routine.
- While you're at it you should buy either an Oxford German dictionary or one of the ones that's yellow and has a big L on it. Buy one full sized one and the biggest pocket sized one you can find.
- This book is a comprehensive German grammar review. We use it in every German language class. I have a love / hate relationship with it. Can be really helpful but it's dry as fuck: http://www.amazon.com/Deutsche-Wied...04305513&sr=1-1
- You can also find pocket German grammar books from time to time, especially in used book shops, if they have a language section. I've made a habit of starting a small collection of them because they're small and inexpensive.
Finally the best way to learn a language is immersion. Watch German films, read German books, even if you have to start with children books. Look up everything you don't know.
On that note, try to find a German speaking partner. Once you start studying a language you'll be surprised how often you hear people speaking it. Also, because of the Cold War there are a lot of people with dual American / German citizenship who you would never know that they fluently speak the language until they tell you. Try to find these people.
In short become an information sponge, and everything will fall into place after years of study! If you need any other pointers on learning German as an adult I would be glad to help. Hope this was helpful! Good luck!
Arabic
--------
I took elementary Arabic I and II in college. This is the textbook we used:
http://www.amazon.com/Alif-Baa-Multimedia-Introduction-Letters/dp/1589015061/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1305493199&sr=1-2
It was an ok book. While a lot of people say Rosetta Stone is not worth the money, it may help you with learning the alphabet and pronunciation of new letters.
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