Comments on: Starting to learn a language with the right attitude http://www.fluentin3months.com/starting-to-learn-a-language-with-the-right-attitude/ Unconventional language hacking tips from Benny the Irish polyglot; travelling the world to learn languages to fluency and beyond! Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:53:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Daniel N. http://www.fluentin3months.com/starting-to-learn-a-language-with-the-right-attitude/comment-page-1/#comment-5971 Daniel N. Mon, 03 May 2010 16:17:12 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=22#comment-5971 "Conjugation that is oddly similar to Spanish/Italian"<br><br>Actually there are more grammar similarities between Slavic and "Latin" (actually, Romance) languages. Use of reflexive se, word order, clitics, dative... “Conjugation that is oddly similar to Spanish/Italian”

Actually there are more grammar similarities between Slavic and “Latin” (actually, Romance) languages. Use of reflexive se, word order, clitics, dative…

]]> By: Benny the Irish polyglot http://www.fluentin3months.com/starting-to-learn-a-language-with-the-right-attitude/comment-page-1/#comment-5734 Benny the Irish polyglot Sat, 17 Apr 2010 13:51:26 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=22#comment-5734 Thanks Jonny - glad you agree! Thanks Jonny – glad you agree!

]]> By: jonny http://www.fluentin3months.com/starting-to-learn-a-language-with-the-right-attitude/comment-page-1/#comment-5327 jonny Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:14:27 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=22#comment-5327 excellent post. after moving to korea i found that many expats who live here fail to pick up the language, many for lack of trying. they always have an excuse handy; usually "it's too hard!" it is hard not to fall into that trap. but i find your advice is spot-on. looking for the positives in any language (or situation!) is setting yourself up for success. excellent post. after moving to korea i found that many expats who live here fail to pick up the language, many for lack of trying. they always have an excuse handy; usually “it's too hard!” it is hard not to fall into that trap. but i find your advice is spot-on. looking for the positives in any language (or situation!) is setting yourself up for success.

]]> By: Alvin http://www.fluentin3months.com/starting-to-learn-a-language-with-the-right-attitude/comment-page-1/#comment-4612 Alvin Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:53:45 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=22#comment-4612 I am starting to study Mandarin, and I have to say I agree with this. I have studied Latin, German and Spanish previously (sadly forgotten most of all of them). I have to say what I find EASY so far about Mandarin is the lack of verb conjugations and adjective/adverb declensions. I was going through some old college notebooks recently, and found an entire spiral dedicated to just repeatedly writing out Latin adjectives over and over. Now THAT was boring work! OTOH, it gave me quite a basis that I can build on to learn pretty much any language I want. I am starting to study Mandarin, and I have to say I agree with this. I have studied Latin, German and Spanish previously (sadly forgotten most of all of them). I have to say what I find EASY so far about Mandarin is the lack of verb conjugations and adjective/adverb declensions. I was going through some old college notebooks recently, and found an entire spiral dedicated to just repeatedly writing out Latin adjectives over and over. Now THAT was boring work! OTOH, it gave me quite a basis that I can build on to learn pretty much any language I want.

]]> By: Miguel http://www.fluentin3months.com/starting-to-learn-a-language-with-the-right-attitude/comment-page-1/#comment-161 Miguel Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:51:15 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=22#comment-161 I hope to join you on this goal , I'm also egar to move to Praha soon and I expect that with your help I can improve very mushmy Czech.. Miguel I hope to join you on this goal , I’m also egar to move to Praha soon and I expect that with your help I can improve very mushmy Czech..

Miguel

]]> By: benny http://www.fluentin3months.com/starting-to-learn-a-language-with-the-right-attitude/comment-page-1/#comment-106 benny Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:18:48 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=22#comment-106 I am using "<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Czech-Essential-Grammars-James-Naughton/dp/0415287855" rel="nofollow">Czech, an essential grammar - by James Naughton</a>". I chose it based on reviews from several websites and I am extremely pleased with it!! It is very in-depth and yet is straightforward. I'd highly recommend it to anyone who has already learned languages and is familiar with the basic grammatical terminology. It may not be so interesting to those who need daily examples and basic phrases though. (That's why I combine it with my phrase book). I'll be using a lot of methods, including music :D All will be shared on the blog! I am using “Czech, an essential grammar – by James Naughton“. I chose it based on reviews from several websites and I am extremely pleased with it!! It is very in-depth and yet is straightforward. I’d highly recommend it to anyone who has already learned languages and is familiar with the basic grammatical terminology. It may not be so interesting to those who need daily examples and basic phrases though. (That’s why I combine it with my phrase book).
I’ll be using a lot of methods, including music :D All will be shared on the blog!

]]> By: benny http://www.fluentin3months.com/starting-to-learn-a-language-with-the-right-attitude/comment-page-1/#comment-105 benny Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:15:11 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=22#comment-105 Deal! :D Deal! :D

]]> By: cestina http://www.fluentin3months.com/starting-to-learn-a-language-with-the-right-attitude/comment-page-1/#comment-57 cestina Sun, 14 Jun 2009 08:15:36 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=22#comment-57 Instead of "Have a nice day/evening/etc" you could try "Hezky vikend!" from Thurs onwards:-) Instead of “Have a nice day/evening/etc” you could try “Hezky vikend!” from Thurs onwards:-)

]]> By: Rene http://www.fluentin3months.com/starting-to-learn-a-language-with-the-right-attitude/comment-page-1/#comment-54 Rene Sat, 13 Jun 2009 22:02:23 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=22#comment-54 Jen, TEN, TA, TO are actually "demonstrative pronouns" (ukazovací pronomina). Ten stůl = this table, to auto = this car They are used mostly: 1. to point [ta kniha je moje: this book is mine (pointing)] 2. to tell one object apart from another. [tohle auto je modré, tamto je černý = this car is blue, that one is black] Sometimes they are translated into English as THE, and this creates the misconception that Czech has definite articles... In English we usually go through these stages: indefinite, demonstrative, definite. Ex: I have a book (indefinite). This is my book (demonstrative), from now on we can say "the book" to refer to this specific book. Czech is simpler: mám kniha; ta kniha je moje (demonstrative to identify it), but now that the book has been identified, you say "kniha je dobrá" (no definite article used here). Jen,
TEN, TA, TO are actually “demonstrative pronouns” (ukazovací pronomina).
Ten stůl = this table, to auto = this car
They are used mostly:
1. to point [ta kniha je moje: this book is mine (pointing)]
2. to tell one object apart from another. [tohle auto je modré, tamto je černý = this car is blue, that one is black]

Sometimes they are translated into English as THE, and this creates the misconception that Czech has definite articles…

In English we usually go through these stages: indefinite, demonstrative, definite. Ex: I have a book (indefinite). This is my book (demonstrative), from now on we can say “the book” to refer to this specific book.

Czech is simpler: mám kniha; ta kniha je moje (demonstrative to identify it), but now that the book has been identified, you say “kniha je dobrá” (no definite article used here).

]]> By: sylva http://www.fluentin3months.com/starting-to-learn-a-language-with-the-right-attitude/comment-page-1/#comment-24 sylva Fri, 05 Jun 2009 06:35:12 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=22#comment-24 well, if you do come to Brno, you'll definitely have to speak Czech if I'm around! ;-) well, if you do come to Brno, you’ll definitely have to speak Czech if I’m around! ;-)

]]> By: maxime http://www.fluentin3months.com/starting-to-learn-a-language-with-the-right-attitude/comment-page-1/#comment-19 maxime Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:41:33 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=22#comment-19 Benny, could who tell us more about the book you use and why you chose it ? Do you plan to also use other methods as movies or music to get used to the language ? Benny, could who tell us more about the book you use and why you chose it ? Do you plan to also use other methods as movies or music to get used to the language ?

]]> By: cestina http://www.fluentin3months.com/starting-to-learn-a-language-with-the-right-attitude/comment-page-1/#comment-14 cestina Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:49:13 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=22#comment-14 Best of luck! Zero inhibition is exactly right when learning a language - never be afraid of making a fool of yourself, just get in there and talk, regardless of genders, word endings, word order (though I find that very easy in Czech actually). Czech pronunciation is dead easy, especially compared with English, once you have got over the idea that you need vowels in a word. You clearly have it sussed, I look forward to watching your progress - I hope the full-time job is with Czechs not expats. Otherwise head out to a village where no one speaks any English..... Best of luck! Zero inhibition is exactly right when learning a language – never be afraid of making a fool of yourself, just get in there and talk, regardless of genders, word endings, word order (though I find that very easy in Czech actually).

Czech pronunciation is dead easy, especially compared with English, once you have got over the idea that you need vowels in a word.

You clearly have it sussed, I look forward to watching your progress – I hope the full-time job is with Czechs not expats. Otherwise head out to a village where no one speaks any English…..

]]> By: benny http://www.fluentin3months.com/starting-to-learn-a-language-with-the-right-attitude/comment-page-1/#comment-13 benny Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:43:43 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=22#comment-13 Wow!! Thanks for all the comments everyone :D This post has already gotten 300 views since yesterday!! Not bad for my second post :P I have a lot of ideas for topics I'd like to talk about, so do check back and subscribe to see what I have to say :) BTW, my RSS feed is currently only giving a summary of the post (with the title link clicking back into this site), sorry about that, I will fix it soon and you can read everything without even needing to come to the site! @<a href="http://www.fluentin3months.com/starting-to-learn-a-language-with-the-right-attitude/comment-page-1/#comment-4" rel="nofollow">Alia</a>. There are always others on the same mission - it's great to be able to swap stories! I'll be putting my progress on these posts, but do make sure to let us know how you are progressing and share any tips with us :) @<a href="http://www.fluentin3months.com/starting-to-learn-a-language-with-the-right-attitude/comment-page-1/#comment-5" rel="nofollow">Sylva</a>. I will definitely be going to Brno! But I plan to speak Czech for the whole visit there (no matter how frustrating it is for me or those who have to listen to me :P ) so it will likely be later in the summer. See you then :) @<a href="http://www.fluentin3months.com/starting-to-learn-a-language-with-the-right-attitude/comment-page-1/#comment-6" rel="nofollow">Annabel</a>. Awww, thanks for the sweet words!! :) In fact, your comment has inspired me for another topic that I will discuss soon here! @<a href="http://www.fluentin3months.com/starting-to-learn-a-language-with-the-right-attitude/comment-page-1/#comment-7" rel="nofollow">Caora Rua</a>. Passion for the language is definitely the most important thing - I fell in love with learning languages a long time ago and I hope to spark that same interest in my readers! @<a href="http://www.fluentin3months.com/starting-to-learn-a-language-with-the-right-attitude/comment-page-1/#comment-9" rel="nofollow">Steve</a>. Thanks for confirming what I am saying!! I will always remind people that I am not good at languages, it's just the attitude and methods I've picked up in recent years that anyone can apply. I haven't arrived in Prague yet actually! Monday will be the first time I've ever even been there!! @<a href="http://www.fluentin3months.com/starting-to-learn-a-language-with-the-right-attitude/comment-page-1/#comment-12" rel="nofollow">Jen</a>. Thanks for your comment! I didn't say there were no articles though. Just definite (the) and indefinite (a). Obviously you know way more Czech than I do; I was just repeating what my grammar book told me. But aren't "ten, ta, to" actually demonstratives (this and that)? Perhaps you <i>can</i> use them in situations where you would say "the" in English? Anyway, my point was that you don't need to always say them like in the example I gave, so that the gender they represent is one less problem to worry about. Make sure to correct me when I make statements like that though! Otherwise I won't learn! :) Wow!! Thanks for all the comments everyone :D This post has already gotten 300 views since yesterday!! Not bad for my second post :P I have a lot of ideas for topics I’d like to talk about, so do check back and subscribe to see what I have to say :)
BTW, my RSS feed is currently only giving a summary of the post (with the title link clicking back into this site), sorry about that, I will fix it soon and you can read everything without even needing to come to the site!
@Alia. There are always others on the same mission – it’s great to be able to swap stories! I’ll be putting my progress on these posts, but do make sure to let us know how you are progressing and share any tips with us :)
@Sylva. I will definitely be going to Brno! But I plan to speak Czech for the whole visit there (no matter how frustrating it is for me or those who have to listen to me :P ) so it will likely be later in the summer. See you then :)
@Annabel. Awww, thanks for the sweet words!! :) In fact, your comment has inspired me for another topic that I will discuss soon here!
@Caora Rua. Passion for the language is definitely the most important thing – I fell in love with learning languages a long time ago and I hope to spark that same interest in my readers!
@Steve. Thanks for confirming what I am saying!! I will always remind people that I am not good at languages, it’s just the attitude and methods I’ve picked up in recent years that anyone can apply. I haven’t arrived in Prague yet actually! Monday will be the first time I’ve ever even been there!!
@Jen. Thanks for your comment! I didn’t say there were no articles though. Just definite (the) and indefinite (a). Obviously you know way more Czech than I do; I was just repeating what my grammar book told me. But aren’t “ten, ta, to” actually demonstratives (this and that)? Perhaps you can use them in situations where you would say “the” in English? Anyway, my point was that you don’t need to always say them like in the example I gave, so that the gender they represent is one less problem to worry about.
Make sure to correct me when I make statements like that though! Otherwise I won’t learn! :)

]]> By: Jen http://www.fluentin3months.com/starting-to-learn-a-language-with-the-right-attitude/comment-page-1/#comment-12 Jen Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:15:36 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=22#comment-12 There ARE articles actually - TEN, TA and TO - it's a common misconception. They're aren't used as commonly as in English (or other languages) though... Good luck with your studies - I've been speaking Czech for 17 years and finally feel pretty good with it - have returned to Czech lessons for improving my writing skills :) There ARE articles actually – TEN, TA and TO – it’s a common misconception. They’re aren’t used as commonly as in English (or other languages) though…

Good luck with your studies – I’ve been speaking Czech for 17 years and finally feel pretty good with it – have returned to Czech lessons for improving my writing skills :)

]]> By: Steve http://www.fluentin3months.com/starting-to-learn-a-language-with-the-right-attitude/comment-page-1/#comment-9 Steve Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:00:38 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=22#comment-9 Absolutely, Benny. Attitude is all. If you expect it to be easy, it will be. And vice versa. Having learned French, German, Dutch, Spanish and Norwegian over the years, I can testify to attitude and motivation being the big factors, not some mythical "being good at languages." Only know good morning (dobre den) and good afternoon (dobre rana) ... and even those I'm not too sure of ... but Prague is a great city, as you'll have realized. Lucky sod! Steve Absolutely, Benny. Attitude is all. If you expect it to be easy, it will be. And vice versa. Having learned French, German, Dutch, Spanish and Norwegian over the years, I can testify to attitude and motivation being the big factors, not some mythical “being good at languages.”

Only know good morning (dobre den) and good afternoon (dobre rana) … and even those I’m not too sure of … but Prague is a great city, as you’ll have realized. Lucky sod!

Steve

]]> By: Caora Rua http://www.fluentin3months.com/starting-to-learn-a-language-with-the-right-attitude/comment-page-1/#comment-7 Caora Rua Wed, 03 Jun 2009 00:03:35 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=22#comment-7 Welcome to the wonderful world of declensions! :) Personally I enjoy a loooooooooot the process of reading a dictionary. Some dictionaries are more breathtaking than fictional books. I guess the words is what I love the most in any language: and the more queer the word is the more I like it. So my personal philosophy is that one must at first simply fall in love with some aspect of the language and then everything will be easier than ever! Welcome to the wonderful world of declensions! :)

Personally I enjoy a loooooooooot the process of reading a dictionary. Some dictionaries are more breathtaking than fictional books. I guess the words is what I love the most in any language: and the more queer the word is the more I like it. So my personal philosophy is that one must at first simply fall in love with some aspect of the language and then everything will be easier than ever!

]]> By: Annabel http://www.fluentin3months.com/starting-to-learn-a-language-with-the-right-attitude/comment-page-1/#comment-6 Annabel Tue, 02 Jun 2009 21:03:34 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=22#comment-6 benny i met you only briefly but to me the most striking feature of you was that you had zero inhibitions (without the help of alcohol like most!). I think your attitude towards yourself (not fearing judgement) is what makes you so good at learning languages. I know my biggest hurdle is getting over my own ego to start, to make mistakes, to be laughed at, and to accept the neccessity of making the conversartion of a 5 year old. so i think you are very right that your attitude is everything, not just towards the language but towards yourself too ;o) benny i met you only briefly but to me the most striking feature of you was that you had zero inhibitions (without the help of alcohol like most!). I think your attitude towards yourself (not fearing judgement) is what makes you so good at learning languages. I know my biggest hurdle is getting over my own ego to start, to make mistakes, to be laughed at, and to accept the neccessity of making the conversartion of a 5 year old. so i think you are very right that your attitude is everything, not just towards the language but towards yourself too ;o)

]]> By: sylva http://www.fluentin3months.com/starting-to-learn-a-language-with-the-right-attitude/comment-page-1/#comment-5 sylva Tue, 02 Jun 2009 20:50:58 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=22#comment-5 good luck with the Czech conjugation, declination, diminutives and the strange word order ;-) hope you find someone speaking real Czech in Prague (since the city is full of tourists and expats ;-) do come to Brno, you'll like it!! good luck with the Czech conjugation, declination, diminutives and the strange word order ;-) hope you find someone speaking real Czech in Prague (since the city is full of tourists and expats ;-)
do come to Brno, you’ll like it!!

]]> By: Alia http://www.fluentin3months.com/starting-to-learn-a-language-with-the-right-attitude/comment-page-1/#comment-4 Alia Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:20:15 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=22#comment-4 I'm relocating to Prague in July, and just spent 2 months there from Feb-April. I'm eager to take a real class once I'm there.. but you can bet I'll be following your blog to see how quickly I'll be able to learn!! I am pretty good with languages, and speak a few already, so I'm hoping I'll be able to speak decently in about 6 months, at least enough to get by. I'm not making any goals for 3 months since I'll be there for at least 2 years :) Good luck! By the way, here's an important word I learned there... pivo. :) I’m relocating to Prague in July, and just spent 2 months there from Feb-April. I’m eager to take a real class once I’m there.. but you can bet I’ll be following your blog to see how quickly I’ll be able to learn!! I am pretty good with languages, and speak a few already, so I’m hoping I’ll be able to speak decently in about 6 months, at least enough to get by. I’m not making any goals for 3 months since I’ll be there for at least 2 years :) Good luck!

By the way, here’s an important word I learned there… pivo. :)

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