#language log

[thefakepolyglot]

Language Logs 10/16-10/22

Started using language logs last week to figure out what I'm slacking in for each of my target languages, and shocked on multiple counts. First, that I have such comprehensive resources for Arabic and Italian, but not at all for Norwegian or French.

I've also been trying out different schedules to maintain four languages at the same time. So right now, I'm trying to practice having one day a week be focused on one language. Currently, that's Monday for Arabic, Tuesday for French, Wednesday for Norwegian, and Thursday for Italian. Then, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, I was planning on using to patch up any holes I see in these logs, which I didn't really have time for this weekend oops...

Going to continue with this for another week or so to see if it genuinely helps and if it doesn't I'll be moving on to a different strategy.

All the love to @nordic-language-love for creating these awesome tools! Here is the post where I first read about them and there’s some awesome encouragement and tips on there.

Good look on everyone's language learning journeys!!!!

[in-sufficientdata]

[explanation]

[life-in-scribbles]

German study log:

01/09/23 Freitag

Memrise 20

Nicos Weg 15

02/09/23 Samstag

Nicos Weg 25

Listening 5

03/09/23 Sonntag

Anki 30

Listening 5

04/09/23 Montag

Memrise (review) 15

05/09/23 Dienstag

Memrise 20

Listening music 10

Assimil 15

06/09/23 Mittwoch

Memrise 15

Assimil 10

Listening TV 55

Review vocab from notebook 1h25

07/09/23 Donnerstag

Memrise 10

Listening TV 35

Assimil 20

08/09/23 Freitag

Assimil 10

09/09/23 Samstag

Memrise 35

Listening TV 35

Notebook vocab/phrases review 15

10/09/23 Sonntag

Rest

Total time: 6h40

[language-log-twenty-years-later]

Introduction

Welcome to Language Log Twenty Years Later!

This sideblog is intended to be a collection of reviews of (and/or commentary on) the giant archive of classic Language Log posts.

Language Log, in case you didn't know, was one of the most popular linguistics blogs of the 2000s and 2010s (in some of these periods perhaps the most popular linguistics blog). AFAIK it's less of a big thing these days, though AFAICT this is mostly down to the decline of linguistic blogs in general rather than of that particular one.

What I (somewhat idiosyncratically) call the classic period of Language Log is the period covered by the old archive, namely 28 July 2003 to 5 April 2008. (This was followed by a two-day gap before the new version started on April 8th.) It had been about 20 years since then (a little over that for the earliest posts, which I'd be starting with), and it would be interesting to see what had changed and what's still the same. (There is a lot of both.) And in general, those are often very interesting posts - definitely worthy of commentary!

I have previously attempted a similar series of reviews in 2016, and then again in 2020. Neither of them had made it past the first half-dozen. Hoping that this version is more successful. Should be easier, at least.

...If you were wondering: the avatar is intended to be a clock with 20 notches. I couldn't find an example of that anywhere online (some other numbers are common, but not 20), so I drew it manually in MS Paint.

[cynosurus]

I just learned about duang!

In China (and around the world among China watchers), everybody's talking about this ungainly syllable.  "Duang" surfaced less than a week ago, but already it has been used millions and millions of times. "The Word That Broke the Chinese Internet" (2/27/15) by Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian "'Duang' is Everywhere on the Chinese Internets, Here’s What It Means" (2/27/15) by Charles Liu "Chinese netizens just invented a new word, and it's going insanely viral" (2/28/15) by Ryan Kilpatrick (English text part of the way down the page) We know exactly how the word arose and developed, every step of the way.  It was first used by the famous actor, Jackie Chan, in a shampoo commercial that was made in 2004. From the Liu article, quoting Jackie in the ad: I don’t want to say it, but when commercials are shot, they can add special effects afterwards, and the hair will be like “DUANG”! So rich! So shiny! So soft! (But if) I were to do that, the audience would scold me for not actually having this hair. …And after making the commercial, the hair is still mine. You don’t have to add any special effects. Ryan Kilpatrick says that "duang" can be roughly rendered in English as "boing". Fair enough — that's a pretty clever translation, but we'll dig deeper into the semantics of duang later on. For the moment, it's enough to note that duang is an onomatopoeic expression for describing the fluffiness and bounciness of someone's hair.

Then in 2015 it was parodied and became a meme:

The advertisement was the subject of a parody published on 20 February 2015 on the Chinese video sharing site Bilibili, featuring footage of Chan remixed to the tune of the viral Chinese song My Skate Shoes (我的滑板鞋).[3] In the video, Chan appears to say that he has no hair at all, with more interjections of "duang": "after a month of special effects, hair is – dua-a-a-ng – still I knew they're fake, that it's due to chemicals. Every day now, I'm adding special effects... added a lot of effects... hair – duang duang duang – is thick and shiny." The parody alludes to a 2010 scandal in which Bawang was accused of having added carcinogenic chemicals to its hair products.

[onaa-ohokthen]

I don't as gonna write a whole thing about the change of meaning of entitled, from "legitimately being able to claim" to "spoiled stupid person", but I'll just link to this Language Log Post instead:

(it's one of the few meaning changes I don't like, and only because there's nothing to take its place. There no word for legitimately having the right to something that isn't tainted now)

[retquits]

i just want to say that it feels weird to post art or about my silly little video games while my rights as a human being are actively being revoked - but i do believe in balance, and i do believe in the value and the joy and the celebration of the arts. and so help me god that will not be taken from me

[terriblesolomons]

Ok but guys isn't it actually crazy how Eugene Roe's presence is literally defined by the ineffable silence of God....ep 6 has no narrative voice beyond the languageless vision of Roe's literal perspective....he brings with him silence in every episode he's in like the chaos after Jackson blows himself up stills completely when Doc runs in - they all go silent & frozen & breathless - when any man is wounded the very concept of words beyond orders fail...he talks about how Renee is blessed to calm the wounded she treats but it's evident that he brings with him something even graver than calm; it's unutterable, literally, it's a prayer, it's a response to the silence we meet (Roe meets) in his prayers (it's a reflection on the insane power we - they - have over our own - and their own - mortality - that silent and sometimes apparently godlike capacity to return (to the front lines) from the dead (that hell of lost brotherhood in the hospitals)?)

[tomfrogisblue]

ok, what ive learned from this:

THE CHILDREN

(the ex-QSMP members)

YEARN FOR

THE MINES

(the qsmp (actually just a place where they can all play together and hangout with the benefits of a highly impressive real-time translator to facilitate easy cross-language communication - you know, like the qsmp))

[thefakepolyglot]

Language Logs 10/23-10/29

Week two of my language logs and trying out the one language per day method! I'm getting more comfortable with pouring all of my attention into a singular language, so I think I might stick with this method. The one issue is that certain languages only get one day to shine (i.e. Italian), but these logs are super helpful in letting me realize what I need to be focusing on!

This weekend I did pretty well with practicing each language (poor Italian), but I still missed the speaking square for Norwegian. Also another update, I filled the entire column in French! Last week I was shocked to realize my resources weren't comprehensive enough, but I started an audio journal to force myself to speak and write, and now it's all filled in.

Once again, these are not of my own creation, so all props to this post for introducing me to them!

[in-sufficientdata]

A selection of badly translated signs as spotted recently on Language Log

Image IDs are as follows:

The packaging for an Ozark Trail branded Steel Griddle. Below the product name it says: Spanish Spanish. • Non-stick Surface. • Easy To Clean.. Warm Griddle Over Low Heat. Avoid Extreme Heat Or Rapid Cooling. Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish. Caution: Handles Will Be Extremely Hot After Use, Handle Carefully. Keep Away From Children. Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish.

A Ukranian sign that says Bblxoaa het and which should be translated "No exit." Instead it says "There is no escape."

A handwritten sign posted on a capucchino machine that says, "I am disorder." Language Log did not supply an explanation for this sign.

This appears to be a page from a menu. Each of the entries listed has a single foreign character in front of it. The list reads as follows: Toothpicks meat Fried meat Celery meat Onion Explosion meat Fish-flavored shredded pork Pure speculation Meat KungpoChicken Cashew chicken Pure belly clearance The fish mother Iron lamb

A box with a translation from the original Chinese 怕水 / 濕.. It says, "Afraid of wet. 3D printer." This legend has a symbol of an umbrella with it.

A large glass jar with a label that says: Bayanihan Original Gelatinous Mutant Coconut in Syrup macapuno strings. No explanation was given for this one. This item was found in a Filipino grocery.

A posted sign that says: Laundry room closed Friday September 18th 1:00pm-3:00pm for satanizing.

A page from a menu with Chinese text, translated in English on a line below each entry. The translations read: Sliced White Gourd Fried beancurd Loofah Staple food/snack Crunchy radish I had sex with my mother as a child Brown sugar cake Wuchang Rice Language Log did not provide translations for the Chinese text.

Packaging for a computer mouse. The text reads: Wireless mouse. Small and light , easy to carry. Wireless era, infinitely damn.

This is a page from a paper menu with 19 lines of text in Chinese. Every single line is translated as French fries.

A printed sign with the Finnish phrase "valitettavasti hiss on rikki." This is translated as "due to happenstance beyonde our controll this elevator is so broken." This actually means "unfortunately the elevator is broken."

A piece of paper with a bunch off short phrases printed on it. They read: Today I don't have the pussy for little lanterns. I don't have a turkey. It's falling the for octopus one! From Guatebad to Guateworse. This brings me by the street of Bitterness. The oven is not for buns. I cry like a muffin.To the bad weather, good face. Today is going to be the milk. Forward like those from Alicante. I am the lemony pear! I sign up for a bombing. I am at two candles. I am a big match. What a big dust! I have got the ruler. I am going to put you looking at Cuenca. I love you an egg. I have got monkey of you. I have discovered the cake. Go to fry asparagus! A nail takes out another nail. Oysters, little Peter! What a big brown! With this and a cake, until tomorrow at eight. S**t yourself, little parrot! Bad bug never dies. If life gives you lemons, ask for Tequila and salt. We are a pineapple! Less wolves, Little Red Riding Hood. Every little teacher has their own little book. What a big pussy! Little eye with me! One and no more, St. Thomas. A truth as a temple. I want the fat one to touch me. Ass I see. What a heat, my weapon! What a cold, big cup! This is already going from chestnut tree to dark. From lost to the river. Garlic and water. To the done, chest. You are the milk! Here peace and after glory. This goes to Mass. Every pig gets its St. Martin.

A Cambodian menu showing a drink called crush coffee with crap.

A sign that says, "Welcom turist. We spik Inglish."

A sign in a Slovak bathroom in Bratislava: A block of text followed by the translation: Please do not throw the toilet. women's hygiene items, wet wipes, paper towels, unpaid invoices, wine corks, non-functional mobile phones, spam, parking fines. unfulfilled dreams and unsupported relationships.

Chinese text that incudes 并非 ("is definitely not") but is translated "This bag is a toy."

A sign in Chinese that says B 超 and which is translated "The B is super." The translation should read B"-mode ultrasonography."

A sign in Chinese that says 如有故障，不要盲目自救 and which is translated "When a failure, don't blindly save yourself." The correct translation would be "If there is a malfunction, do not blindly rescue yourself."

[royalarchivist]

Luzu: Thank you guys so much- everyone that came from other communities, from other countries that speak other languages, I'm sure that we'll have moments- like, today I've been speaking in Spanish because obviously I make my content in Spanish, but they're going to be days like there were before where I'm interacting with someone from the, I don't know, like the English community or a Brazilian or someone and we're speaking in English, and you guys will probably understand more of we're talking about. But just be patient, 'cuz obviously there are going to be days where it's probably going to be a lot of Spanish and days where it's going to be a lot of English. But don't worry, 'cuz I'm going to ask my mods to help me set up the subtitles and that way you guys can understand at least if we're speaking in Spanish or whatever.

[zwiebelii]

RAH RAH RAH RAH PEOPLE WHO SPEAK/WANT TO LEARN GERMAN AND LIKE THE HOBBIT BOOK. LISTEN TO ME

ARD (THE GERMAN EQUIVALENT TO THE BBC) HAS AN AUDIO BOOK OF THE HOBBIT ONLINE. AND YOU CAN DOWNLOAD IT!

BUT ONLY UNTIL JANUARY 24TH, AFTER THAT THEY'RE TAKING IT DOWN

[mero7t]

gemini!leo(@tangledinink) meets his worse self (araneus!leo)

[corvid-language-library]

Language Learning Log 2025 - Week 10 (02/03 〜 08/03)

Banner: this week was a little busy, but I still managed to find time for my hobbies, including reading Lotus in the Mountain by Linn Coldiron and playing Pokemon Legends

For Japanese this week, I:

Did Renshuu quizzes

Did kanji practice with Kanji Dojo

Read an NHK Easy article

Continued watching FFVII Rebirth playthroughs with Japanese VA/Subtitles

For Norwegian this week, I:

Wrote 〜200 words

Read a couple of short articles

Read 2x longer articles

Messaged my friend

Watched an episode of Bakemesterskapet

Other things I did this week:

Wrote 12228 words

Made chicken & sweetcorn soup

Ordered birthday presents for two of my colleagues

Got through work with no major mishaps

Continued reading Lotus in the Mountain

Exercised daily

Helped my new colleague with her lessons

My goals this past week were:

Make chicken & sweetcorn soup ✅ It was delicious! But I need to make more next time

Write 10K words ✅ Over 12K

Make a post about Japanese vocab ✅ Just a small one about words I keep forgetting

Continue watching FF7 Remake content in Japanese ✅ Again, not as much as I wanted because it was a busy week, but I watched a bit

Listen to/watch something in Norwegian ✅ Watched an episode of Bakemesteskapet

Get to 30% through Lotus in the Mountain ✅ I'm on 34% now :)

My goals for this coming week are:

Cook (idk what yet)

Watch more FF7 Remake content in Japanese

Listen to a Norwegian podcast or radio

Get to 50% through Lotus in the Mountain

[adragonthatwrites]

Dr. Shen's Log, Pt. 10

Date; 7, 6, 2024. Signed Dr. Shang Qinghua and Dr. Shen Jiu.

The following is a safety memo that was distributed to the employees and researchers of Cang Qiong Mountain Research Facilities.

Because of recent advancements in our research program, in particular the areas pertaining to the observation of wild Leviathan class mer, there is now an increased chance of researchers finding themselves in sudden direct contact with one. Should you find yourself in this situation, here’s how to react!

Firstly; do not panic. While the situation may be frightening, do your level best to remain calm, and swim to the surface. Keep your head above the water, breath evenly and deeply, and move your limbs only enough to keep yourself afloat. Wild, flailing movements resemble prey animals, or mer threat displays; avoid them.

If the mer approaches you, remain calm and as still as you can; if the mer is friendly, they’ll likely begin circling around and brush against you with their sides. While this may resemble a predatorial behavior, do not worry; this is a form of greeting, a sort of mer version of a ‘hello’. Mer do this to gain a feel for each other’s size and health, and as a form of strengthening social bonds.

After the initial greeting, a mer may attempt to engage in further physical contact with you; in particular cheek brushing, grooming, or resting. Cheek brushing is, as it sounds, a behavior in which two mers will press and rub their cheeks together. This is a more intimate form of greeting, and is mostly observed in smaller, coastal species of mers, though it’s not unheard of for Leviathan class to exhibit this behavior. Grooming is self-explanatory. In the event a mer attempts do either of these things with you, merely bear with them until they’ve finished. The skin of your cheeks may end up a little rubbed raw, but they won’t leave you with any injuries! (And before you start to worry, no they won’t attempt to go below the belt. So long as you remain still and casual, they won’t assume mating behaviors)

The resting pose meanwhile is a behavior often viewed between adult mers and small pups or injured or tired pod-mates. Leviathan class mers have also been viewed doing this with their own pups, mates, or members of adopted pods. It is intended as a way for larger mers to provide comfort and rest for a smaller or injured companion. As you will be small, possibly appear injured and definitely a comparatively poor swimmer, it’s not unlikely the mer will attempt this behavior with you.

The mer will place their hands on your hips and lift you up, placing you near the center of their diaphragm or low on their chest. At least one of their hands will likely remain on your hips, as a means of steadying you. If this happens, lean forward, tuck your head underneath the mer’s chin and relax into their chest. This pose mimics that of a resting pup or pod-mate, and is what the mer will expect you to do.

Unless you would like the encounter to take a turn for the salacious, it is recommended you remain in this pose until you can be extracted. Sitting upright, placing you hands anywhere but the mer’s immediate chest, or moving your body any lower than their diaphragm, could very easily be confused for courtship displays.

Thank you for your continued help in mer research, preservation and rehabilitation, if you have further questions please don’t hesitate to contact your local Human Recourses agent!

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