Afternoon all - anyone here on Duolingo (https://www.duolingo.com/sheridanwilde)? I'm attempting (not for the first time) to learn German before my next holiday to Berlin, Leipzig and similar places.
Guten Tag,
Ich habe für zwei Jarhen Deutsch zu lernen und Duolingo benutzen.
Duolingo is a great resource Sheridan, but it will not make you fluent in any way. I've been using it as part of my effort to learn German and will finish the entire Duolingo German course this month. In addition I subscribe to Rosetta Stone German, which is a better tool, but even with both of those I wouldn't say I'm fluent yet. That will probably be a couple of years coming.
However, I would have no problem conversing about every day subjects in German. I'll be in Germany in August so that will be the real test of my efforts.
As a note, I'm also learning French with the Rosetta Stone/Duolingo combination and after having studied German, French is much easier.
Haven't tried duolingo; but I'm currently trying to brush up my (admittedly always a bit shit) Spanish with Michel Thomas - he's really really good at making grammar easy, but the listening comprehension skills would have to be learned elsewhere.
Gooten Targ.....Iens...vie.....dri......Aulf-wetazein....
All I know!
Learnt at school, plus I am supposed to have some German heritage of my own.
Quote from: ThryllSeekyr on 11 July, 2015, 04:27:14 PM
Gooten Targ.....Iens...vie.....dri......Aulf-wetazein....
All I know!
Learnt at school, plus I am supposed to have some German heritage of my own.
Guten Tag.
Eins zwei drei.
Auf Wiedersehen.
Quote from: sheridan on 11 July, 2015, 10:58:11 PM
Quote from: ThryllSeekyr on 11 July, 2015, 04:27:14 PM
Gooten Targ.....Iens...vie.....dri......Aulf-wetazein....
All I know!
Learnt at school, plus I am supposed to have some German heritage of my own.
Guten Tag.
Eins zwei drei.
Auf Wiedersehen.
:-[
Quote from: ThryllSeekyr on 12 July, 2015, 01:18:31 AM
Quote from: sheridan on 11 July, 2015, 10:58:11 PM
Quote from: ThryllSeekyr on 11 July, 2015, 04:27:14 PM
Gooten Targ.....Iens...vie.....dri......Aulf-wetazein....
All I know!
Learnt at school, plus I am supposed to have some German heritage of my own.
Guten Tag.
Eins zwei drei.
Auf Wiedersehen.
:-[
What is confusing is when you spend a few days in Germany, then unwittingly stop off in the Nederlands for a break on the way back. You look at the menu to try to figure out what to order, half-recognising some of the words, but when you consult your holy tome (the English-German dictionary you've been carrying for the last few days) you can't find any of the things on the menu. Then you realise that's because the words are similar but have different spellings, because it's a different language, and they're not in your book, so you'll just have to take a guess...
Only German I learnt as a kid was;
Achtung!
Gott in Himmell!
and Hande hoche!
They were regularly used in Battle Picture Weekly :)
Quote from: sheridan on 12 July, 2015, 02:27:01 AM
Quote from: ThryllSeekyr on 12 July, 2015, 01:18:31 AM
Quote from: sheridan on 11 July, 2015, 10:58:11 PM
Quote from: ThryllSeekyr on 11 July, 2015, 04:27:14 PM
Gooten Targ.....Iens...vie.....dri......Aulf-wetazein....
All I know!
Learnt at school, plus I am supposed to have some German heritage of my own.
Guten Tag.
Eins zwei drei.
Auf Wiedersehen.
:-[
What is confusing is when you spend a few days in Germany, then unwittingly stop off in the Nederlands for a break on the way back. You look at the menu to try to figure out what to order, half-recognising some of the words, but when you consult your holy tome (the English-German dictionary you've been carrying for the last few days) you can't find any of the things on the menu. Then you realise that's because the words are similar but have different spellings, because it's a different language, and they're not in your book, so you'll just have to take a guess...
Lol. My wife is Dutch and she keeps pestering me to learn it. Dutch only sounds a bit German and only a few words are the same. As I have learned from the many chortles and guffaws from my Dutch in-laws as I speak German to them.
Quote from: von Boom on 12 July, 2015, 01:57:45 PM
Quote from: sheridan on 12 July, 2015, 02:27:01 AM
Quote from: ThryllSeekyr on 12 July, 2015, 01:18:31 AM
Quote from: sheridan on 11 July, 2015, 10:58:11 PM
Quote from: ThryllSeekyr on 11 July, 2015, 04:27:14 PM
Gooten Targ.....Iens...vie.....dri......Aulf-wetazein....
All I know!
Learnt at school, plus I am supposed to have some German heritage of my own.
Guten Tag.
Eins zwei drei.
Auf Wiedersehen.
:-[
What is confusing is when you spend a few days in Germany, then unwittingly stop off in the Nederlands for a break on the way back. You look at the menu to try to figure out what to order, half-recognising some of the words, but when you consult your holy tome (the English-German dictionary you've been carrying for the last few days) you can't find any of the things on the menu. Then you realise that's because the words are similar but have different spellings, because it's a different language, and they're not in your book, so you'll just have to take a guess...
Lol. My wife is Dutch and she keeps pestering me to learn it. Dutch only sounds a bit German and only a few words are the same. As I have learned from the many chortles and guffaws from my Dutch in-laws as I speak German to them.
I should point out the sum total of my experience of being in the Nederlands is at a service station on a half-hour coach stop, so the only part of the day-to-day language I would have seen was that on the menus and ingredient lists.
I love popping over to the Netherlands, and I made a - kinda - stab at learning a bit, but it is the most difficult of languages to pronounce correctly, and most Dutch people, I guess, speak very good English. Even one of my mates, who lived in Rotterdam for the best part of a decade, said not to bother learning Dutch. Try French, or German instead.
I can (or could) get away with speaking Dutch pleasantries, having lived there for a couple of years – though that was a quarter of a century ago! After my first year there, after being offered a full time job, I realised the only way to learn the lingo was to go to evening classes. Before that, pretty much nothing at all had sunk in. Towards the end of my stint there I grasped a lot of the basics. A couple of times, having met new people I was able to carry on a conversation for about 15mins, when I would then have to ask to switch to English. One person thought I was taking the mick, which was a pretty good complement.
In my early days there, they never took too kindly to being told "Dutch sounds like German".
Quote from: Spikes on 12 July, 2015, 03:51:44 PM
I love popping over to the Netherlands, and I made a - kinda - stab at learning a bit, but it is the most difficult of languages to pronounce correctly, and most Dutch people, I guess, speak very good English. Even one of my mates, who lived in Rotterdam for the best part of a decade, said not to bother learning Dutch. Try French, or German instead.
Coincidentally, I'm going to the Netherlands for the first time in a few days...
I'll admit, I haven't learnt any of the language.
Learning languages have never been a strength of mine. It just doesn't seem to sink in. I'm not sure if it's bad memory, (in that particular area) or patience. (I get bored very quickly learning other languages. I think I make the mistake of trying to map sentences to English and I'm not sure that is the right way. I will also memorise sentences, then when I memorise the next lot the older ones get pushed out of my head somehow...)
Oddly I do have a gift for pronouncing names and words in other languages once I've heard them.
I understand there are courses that actually teach you a new language in the way we all learned our own language growing up. I wonder how well they work. I've heard they're a good way to learn, but it must take a very different way of thinking to do that.
Any place in particular that you are going to Mardroid?
I was there just over a fortnight ago. Had three days in (the Dutch speaking part of) Belgium, and then three days in the Netherlands - Utrecht, Arnhem, and the Hague.
A lovely country. I could very happily up sticks and live there.
I'm sure you'll have a blast.
Amsterdam, for around a week. (Possibly travelling outside, as well.)
This is my 40th year so I thought I would do a bit of travelling. As I have a friend in Holland (a Polish friend, just to be confusing) who has repeatedly invited me, I thought this time, why not? I originally planned to just stay 2-3 days, then travel further affield at some point in the year. Possibly jaguar spotting in the Panenau, or going to India, Sri-Lanka or Thailand (not all of these...) but certain factors suggest that this will be unlikely, although I don't rule it out completely. So I decided to extend my stay in Holland instead.
I can always go to these other places in other years. Nothing really that special about 40 anyway, but it's a wake up call to go out and do something before it's too late.*
* I don't suffer from a terminal illness, unless you count aging. I'm just.. you know... 40. Heh.
Quote from: Mardroid on 14 July, 2015, 01:15:09 AM
Amsterdam, for around a week. (Possibly travelling outside, as well.)
I'm going to be in Amsterdam for a few days from Saturday 25th - will you still be there?
Quote from: Dandontdare on 14 July, 2015, 09:32:25 AM
Quote from: Mardroid on 14 July, 2015, 01:15:09 AM
Amsterdam, for around a week. (Possibly travelling outside, as well.)
I'm going to be in Amsterdam for a few days from Saturday 25th - will you still be there?
Yes I'm travelling back on 28th!
ha, me too!
I'll PM you my phone number - text me or give me a call and we'll meet up for a beer.
Check out Lambiek you folks visiting Amsterdam. Last time I was there they had a massive Slaine display. I think the original owner passed away a few years ago. Had the feel of an old style bookshop. Good to see a comic shop so unlike what we are used to in UK. They had a Bisley section. All it contained was a Dutch language version of Judge Dredd America. I'm not selling it am I? Worth checking out though.
Quote from: SuperSurfer on 14 July, 2015, 07:55:50 PM
Check out Lambiek you folks visiting Amsterdam. Last time I was there they had a massive Slaine display. I think the original owner passed away a few years ago. Had the feel of an old style bookshop. Good to see a comic shop so unlike what we are used to in UK. They had a Bisley section. All it contained was a Dutch language version of Judge Dredd America. I'm not selling it am I? Worth checking out though.
I'm in Amsterdam for a couple of days in September. I'll try and check it out.
Quote from: SuperSurfer on 14 July, 2015, 07:55:50 PM
Check out Lambiek you folks visiting Amsterdam. Last time I was there they had a massive Slaine display. I think the original owner passed away a few years ago. Had the feel of an old style bookshop. Good to see a comic shop so unlike what we are used to in UK. They had a Bisley section. All it contained was a Dutch language version of Judge Dredd America. I'm not selling it am I? Worth checking out though.
I've seen the website (especially useful for finding out a little more about all those at-the-time anonymous European artists who worked on the early years of 2000AD). If I ever find myself in Amsterdam I'll have to go to the shop (museum?)
Quote from: SuperSurfer on 14 July, 2015, 07:55:50 PM
Check out Lambiek you folks visiting Amsterdam.
Just been reading up on this.
I didn't visit Amsterdam till I was 35 and my reaction was "FFS, why didn't I come here before this?"
I've been back many times since, and I'm now thinking the same about this comic shop/gallery - "why did I never find this place before?"
It's now on my list, along with all the big galleries that were unfortunately shut for renovation last time I came. (and the few of my favourite coffee shops that have survived the ongoing municipal cull)
First time I went to Lambiek was 1986 for a student field trip. We stayed on the same street a few doors away at the Hans Brinker (proudly budget) hotel. Exactly opposite the hotel was a gallery which had an exhibition of paintings by Don Van Vliet (Captain Beefheart). Perfect.
Back from my Amsterdam, had a great time. Met up with Mardroid to talk comics'n'stuff over a steak and a few beers. Weather was awful with lashing rain on and off all weekend and trees coming down on the Saturday.
Tracked down that Lambiek shop - amazing place with an almost random organisational structure - just stacks and shelves of comics everywhere. Hardly any 2000ad, and very little DC/Marvel outside of European translations, but loads of really fascinating stuff. Very friendly owner, made me a coffee as soon as I stepped in. Anyone who's planning a return trip should check the location though as they're moving soon apparently.
I also managed my usual Amsterdam trick, which is setting off along a canal thinking I'm going one way when I'm actually going the opposite way and thus walking halfway across the city.
Quote from: Dandontdare on 30 July, 2015, 08:26:01 AM
Back from my Amsterdam, had a great time. Met up with Mardroid to talk comics'n'stuff over a steak and a few beers. Weather was awful with lashing rain on and off all weekend and trees coming down on the Saturday.
Tracked down that Lambiek shop - amazing place with an almost random organisational structure - just stacks and shelves of comics everywhere. Hardly any 2000ad, and very little DC/Marvel outside of European translations, but loads of really fascinating stuff. Very friendly owner, made me a coffee as soon as I stepped in. Anyone who's planning a return trip should check the location though as they're moving soon apparently.
I also managed my usual Amsterdam trick, which is setting off along a canal thinking I'm going one way when I'm actually going the opposite way and thus walking halfway across the city.
Do you have an address for for Lamiek shop DDD?
yup, it's: Kerkstraat 132, 1017 GP Amsterdam (not far from Leidsepelin). Their website: https://www.lambiek.net/ (https://www.lambiek.net/)
The owner wasn't sure where they were moving to or when , but I got the impression it was this year sometime.
Cheers for the address Dan. :)
As long as they don't move before September I'm good.
Edit: I just checked out their google maps location and they're not far from where I'll be staying in the canal region. Sweet.
Quote from: Dandontdare on 30 July, 2015, 08:26:01 AM
Back from my Amsterdam, had a great time. Met up with Mardroid to talk comics'n'stuff over a steak and a few beers. Weather was awful with lashing rain on and off all weekend and trees coming down on the Saturday.
It was nice to meet you!
The weather was sunny at the start of the week. Your timing was unfortunate! :lol:
Returned from Amsterdam yesterday and I took the time to check out Lambiek.
They were packing in ernest, but the first thing they did when I came in was offer me a coffee, which was great, and we chatted while they helped me make some choices. I picked up a couple of Dutch language book for my father-in-law to read to his grandkids. He'll be happy, but the kids probably won't be. :)
I could have easily spent a couple of days there.
Thanks for the recommendation of this place SuperSufer (and DDD and Mandroid). Cheers.
I'm slightly ashamed to say I never actually visited the comic shop while I was in Amsterdam. I did consider it though. I think the idea that everything would likely be in Dutch put me off, but from the descriptions above, I get the impression it was worth a visit.
As far as learning languages is concerned, I have been learning dutch using the DuoLingo app.
Quite fun, and it was actually sinking in! I confess I haven't used it for a week or two, and I've forgotten a bit now, (so I will likely have to revise a bit) but it made me realise, if you learn the right way and stick at it, it will work. I felt that I didn't really have a gift for languages (and I probably don't) but I think it was the boredom factor and lack of patience that was the main problem.
Duolingo isn't perfect. It could do with providing some explanation here and there, but you can get that with a bit of Googling. It is fun to use and, as I said, it seems to be working. (Sure I have forgotten stuff now, but that's my own fault for taking a couple of weeks off.)
I learnt a bit of Dutch off random Youtube video's.
Simple stuff like - 'Your pen is under the book' which is - kinda - spoken the same in Dutch as it is in English. So fairly easy, but of no real use. Unless someone asks me 'Have you seen my pen?', and it happens to be under their book, I guess...
My friend who lived in Rotterdam for a decade said 'Learn German, or French instead' when I asked about learning Dutch.
That Duolingo app sounds like it may well be worth a try, though.
Glad a few of you folks enjoyed some comics related stuff in Amsterdam.
I used to be able to get by with basic Dutch. Probably still can. The Dutch would no doubt say otherwise. After a year of living there I didn't even know the basics as they so are damn good with languages, especially English. Took me a lot of Dutch evening school classes to remedy that. The classes reminded me of 'Mind your language' (minus the undistilled racism). Instructions in the lessons were in English. An American woman and myself struggled as we seemed to be some of the few or only ones who didn't understand grammatical terms. There is something to be said for teaching English as it is here (and perhaps in the US) but knowledge of grammar sure helps when learning another language. Don't it?
I learned some phonetic Cantonese when living in Hong Kong for eight months.
I tried and failed at German while studying German history.
now after watching all these drug shows (Breaking bad, narcos etc) the urge to learn Spanish has reared its ugly head again. 'donde estles pollos hermanos?'
the feminine and masculine always does my noggin in.
I'm always struck by the futility of it and tell myself to go and write fiction that nobody reads instead.
I've been trying to improve my Cetacean. The hardest part is not swallowing too much water.
Quote from: John Cage: Atonal Avenger on 23 September, 2016, 07:03:28 AM
I've been trying to improve my Cetacean. The hardest part is not swallowing too much water.
Keep going - if you manage it you might be able to get a job as a hostess on a starliner...