November 30, 2009
Every language learner will eventually develop their own vocabulary building techniques. This particular one is something I use heavily myself. As such, I heartily endorse it as one way of acquiring a more robust language skill set, especially when paired with regular lessons using computer-based language training.
First off, a disclaimer. This isn’t something that will blow you away. In fact, it will likely leave you underwhelmed. Regardless, it’s a technique I’ve used over and over to integrate full phrases into my treasure trove of language skills. If you’re lucky, it might do the same for you.
1. Rent, download or buy foreign movies in the target language with written translations at the bottom of the screen.
2. Once you come across a scene you really like, then pick out your favorite character in that scene.
3. As you play the scene, act along with it, echoing the same statements your character speaks.
4. I suggest you do it wholeheartedly, acting along as if you’re in the movie, interacting with the other cast.
5. Repeat over and over until you can successfully recite the dialogue.
That’s it.
Using this technique, you can integrate tons of new phrases and sentences into your language bag. You’re not just spouting random verbiage either. Since there are translations at the bottom, you can easily understand what you’re actually saying. Because you’re mimicking the actor’s actions, pacing, tone and mannerisms, you’re getting very good hints about how a native speaker might actually say those particular statements. Even better, you’re doing all those correct things – you’re practicing the right way to talk.
What about the 20 phrases? That was an estimate. You can probably learn more or less than that, depending on how long and involved the scenes you practice are. Personally, I only practice one long scene a week. I do it over and over till I get it right. Your own preferences, of course, may vary.
November 29, 2009
“Language translation software don’t work,” my friend Rodney said. I found the statement odd, given that I am an avid user of numerous language services software, including learning materials and translation applications. So, I inquired, “Why do you say that?”
As it turns out, my friend had this very old but surprisingly common misconception that machine translators still relied on word-per-word conversions. While he’s right – those kinds of algorithms are terrible for translation – it’s far from the truth.
The reality is, many modern translation software involve processes that are much more complex than a basic database dictionary lookup. If you thought these software-based tools still left out language components such as sentences, paragraph, idioms, syntax and context out of the equation, you’re sadly mistaken.
“But I checked out online translators and they all suck,” you say? Here’s a little secret: online translation tools are usually very different from desktop-based clients. Going web-based has compelled those services to maintain a balance between speed, performance and the sheer number of people accessing their servers. The result are stripped-down algorithms that’s more intent on running fast, rather than providing a complete translation experience.
Offline, however, where the majority of desktop-based translators usually operate, it’s a different story. With solo access to a powerful computer, no sharing processes with multiple users and no bandwidth issues, results you get can vary greatly.
Don’t believe me? Tons of downloadable commercial translators are easily accessible from the web. While most of them will only give you access to a trial version, it’s an avenue worth pursuing. Let’s see how wildly your mind changes once you realize these tools do a lot more than translate single words from one language to another.
November 28, 2009
Are you a right-brainer who’s trying to learn a second language? There are some things that come naturally to creative and intuitive individuals like you which you can use to boost your training.
1. Use a language acquisition software (or enroll in a course) that is based around either communicative techniques or immersive learning. Traditional grammar-based instructions are only likely to end up flying over your head.
2. If you’re designing your own learning program (incorporating numerous materials, for example), get help. Many of the skills required to make such preparations are left-brained by nature. As such, there’s a good chance you’ll end up drawing up inadequate plans and activities.
3. Incorporate plenty of opportunities for interaction with your learning, especially ones that call for innovation and creativity. Remember, you tend to learn best when employing your strengths.
4. Use your imagination to your advantage by integrating it when memorizing vocabulary, practicing speech and other activities.
5. Use your intuition to your advantage. Learn to trust your instincts when guessing the meaning of certain words and phrases. When practicing your speaking skills, don’t hold back. Chances are good that you’re doing it right. Even if you’re not, nobody’s watching.
6. Use visual and auditory stimulation to aid your studies. Pictures, music and art can be very beneficial tools for someone of your temperament.
November 27, 2009
Do you use software to translate documents within your organization? We do. In fact, we find it to be an excellent tool for quick, readable conversions from one language to another.
Sure, it’s not perfect. In fact, it’s not nearly as good as having a flesh-and-blood consultant laboring over our text. However, it is good enough for many situations.
Like all pieces of software, you will occasionally run into problems when using a translation software. With a few precautions, though, you should be able to avoid it.
1. Make sure all documents are clean (i.e. tag-free). Word processors (such as Word) often leave codes and tags in the body of the text. While invisible to Word users, it’s possible that your translation software will see it. The result is usually confusion, with the application trying to translate elements that aren’t supposed to be there.
2. Make sure all text in the document are in the same language. Some documents, especially in countries where English is practically a second language or those where there are several predominant languages, will contain entries in multiple vernaculars. This could send your software in a frenzy. After all, it’s expecting one thing and seeing another.
3. Stick to the non-sensitive materials. If you need sensitive, business-critical materials translated, skip the translation software. Go directly to an expert translator or interpreter. Computer-based programs can be error prone – not the best option when a single error can cost your business a fortune.
November 26, 2009
What’s the most time-consuming part of language learning? While some will argue that it’s different for each person, there’s one area that almost all language learners inevitably spend (at one point or another) the bulk of their time on – memorizing vocabulary.
If you’re laden with a naturally-retentive memory, then you’re a lucky fellow. That means you can remember a greater number of things in a shorter span of time, potentially saving you a whole lot of repetitive memorizing while building up your vocabulary.
For those not so lucky, here are a few techniques you can apply while you work with your language vocabulary software to help you suck those words in.
Associate new words with other vocabulary. If you’re slightly more advanced than a beginner, it’s helpful to link new words you learn to words you’ve previously learned in your studies. This method serves a dual benefit: it becomes easier to remember the new word and you get a refresher on the old one.
Gender words. If you’re a guy, build a mental picture of a naked woman and associate all female words with her. Everything else gets imagined being attached to an image of you. Reverse the process if you’re a girl. For languages with multiple genders, just add extra images.
Regularly test yourself. Use software-based vocabulary exams and flash cards to regularly test yourself on what you learned. This will help retention immensely by building up your word associations.
Learn words in context. This is probably the longest-running, most doled-out vocabulary advice for one reason: it works. Learn words in groups according to context and associations will naturally build themselves.
Read a lot. Reading, put simply, beefs up vocabulary without any extra effort. The act of seeing words used in different contexts allows associations to form on their own.
November 25, 2009
In Romanized writing, capitalization is important and, in some cases, can change a sentence’s entire meaning. That’s why all ESL writers who produce document in English are highly-advised to get their heads around the proper rules for this specific area.
When people first learn English from their English learning software, they are immediately told to capitalize proper nouns, but to leave common nouns without it. That sounds simple enough, right? Problem is, many people don’t understand the correct distinction between those two groups of nouns. Neither are they familiar with the additional rules that govern capitalization.
So, let’s start with the basics:
- Proper nouns refer to specific people, places or things (e.g. Mrs. Jones, President Obama, Omaha Flower Festival)
- Common nouns are nonspecific (e.g. teacher, leader, festival)
Apart from those two basic rules, take note of the following items that also require capitalization:
- The first word of every sentence
- The first-person pronoun “I”
- Days of the week, months and holidays
- Historical documents, periods and events
- Religions and their followers
- Titles of books, plays, movies and other creative works
- Personifications, as in creative names given to characters in writing
- Companies and organizations
- Derivatives of proper nouns (e.g. Westernize, Shakespearean, etc.)
- Names of classes in school (e.g. Math 101, Colonial History 102, etc.)
- Acronyms
- Official titles if they come before the name (e.g. Colonel Sanders, Miss Simmons, etc)
Note that some usage may require you to do without capitalization. That may be beyond our scope for this short article, though. We’ll look at those exceptions another time.
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