#Learning a New Language

[daniessence]

Polish is going well I guess but WHAT ARE THESE GRAMMAR RULES

[diahsthings]

Sometimes I think about cheating at Duolingo by letting my husband do my Hindi lessons. He's fluent. I just want to be #1 😂

[strawhatyami]

OK so, I actually taught myself English super young, thanks to basically living in English- speaking fandom spaces 24/7 (had no real friends outside of that, yikes).

Now I'm diving into a third language, and being in a non-English speaking country i get asked a lot about how i learned.

Here's my trick : Think in the language you're tackling.

Have your daily Inner monologues in that language instead of your mother tongue. But the secret sauce? Substitute words you don't know with English words or just make up nonsense that sounds like it could be from that language. Over time, as your brain learns new words it catches on, tosses the nonsense and replaces it with actual vocabulary, and suddenly, you're fluent. 🌟

No clue if there's any science behind this method, but it works for me. Language learning is personal and different methods click for different people but i hope this helps someone.

[voidsteffy]

Telugu Baalasiksha with Manu

Hello! I'm Manu and here on this hellsite this morning we're sitting down and learning Telugu📝📝

I myself learnt it a bit late, half from my grandma (a Telugu pandit) and half from baalasiksha (baala - child, little one ; siksha - teaching guide - in this case). Practice helps. So we will practice sentences and words etc but that's after we cover the basics. We will probably do 4 posts with basics: the vowels, the consonants, the matras and then the votthulu (don't worry, i'll explain everything my sweeties). After the basics we will learn more.

(alphabets in telugu are called "AKSHARAALU" like "अक्षरालू")

Part 1 📍 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

so!

VOWELS

or as we call them in telugu "acchulu"

అ = अ = a (ah)

ఆ = आ = aa (aaah)

ఇ = इ = i (like you pronounce 'e' but cut it halfway)

ఈ = ई = ii (like 'eee', drag the sound)

ఉ = उ = u (a short 'ooh')

ఊ = ऊ = uu (drag the 'oooh')

ఋ = ऋ with a 'u' attached = rhu (like "ooru becky")

ౠ = ऋ with a 'uu' attached = rhuu (like "ooroo becky")

ఎ = short ए = e (like "ey get lost")

ఏ = normal ए = ee (drag the "eey" a bit)

ఐ = ऐ but like "अय्याशी "= ai (say "ayyayo")

ఒ = short ओ = ⅟₂ oh (very short)

ఓ = normal ओ = oh

ఔ = औ but like "oww" = au (like a wolf howl)

అం = अं = am (from the throat, like "umm i can't freddie")

అః = अ: = ahuh (a low fake cough, focus on the 'hhhh' sound)

that's it for the vowels, now it's akka's time to pat y'all on the back, give forehead kisses and some chockies for being such good darlings.

it might be daunting, tricky and irritating to learn a new language. This is you nudging a section of your brain to make space. Space for new instructions for the tongue to move in a different way. I've tried my best to explain the sounds for the tricky vowels, and i will continue to break down every alphabet in the same way, don't worry.

let me know if you have any feedback, doubts or just want to vent.

a lot of us here know how to speak telugu, but not write it as easily. and we can deal with any and all problems. just stick with me!

here's an image of the vowels we've learnt today, handwrittten (so that you can practice how it's written instead of getting stuck with the online/keyboard version)

(don't mind the lines and all, i just wanted the letters to be visible so i wrote them big like that)

tagging:

@mentally-a-sea-walnut @maybebees @rambheemisgoated @timetravellingkitty @budugu @lite-teesko @hissterical-nyaan @ree-wantstochange @bishh-kanya

let me know if you wanna get tagged!

[closettedsubboy]

I’m learning a new language and today was my first class. There’s a certain type of tiredness that I get from learning languages that is very distinct from any other kind of tiredness. I just want to say I really missed feeling that kind of tired. It’s like when you’re sore but mentally. It sucks but it’s great because you know you’re making progress! 🥰🥰

[wrenwrights]

Got my first 7 day streak in my German lessons. Wish me luck this next week!

[somethingusefulfromflorida]

Spanish is a magical language because every word is spelled exactly how you think it is. Every letter sounds the same every time (except C, but you can always tell when it's a K or an S based on context; it's not random like in English). If you hear a word you've never seen written out before, there's a 99% chance you'll be able to spell it phonetically.

And then there's French, which looks and sounds like someone making fun of a language they don't know.

[authoroftwwm]

(HERE IT IS, CHAPTOR ONO)

The Worlds We Made: Chapter 1, PT 1

Fire. Crumbles of dust. The smell of burnt flesh. The screams of hundreds of thousands as they frantically ran through portals towards safety. One last look from my father as I swore to all he would die by my hand for the suffering I've endured.

I wish I could see it now. Yet every time I try, every fiber of my being cries for me to stop, and I do. At this point, its only flashing moments that pass me by. I think I am meant to find out what happened, but I can't seem to see anyone who can fix my ability to see it.

I just want to see everything. I want to know what they felt. I want to--

"Are you trying to 'remember' something? How are you so... Nevermind, I shouldn't say that." The young man was suddenly brought out of his wallowing by the taunts of his caretaker. He had only asked to do that one thing that he couldn't see the word to. Ah, sorry. That he couldn't 'remember'.

"Papa, you know I have a hard time finding words--"

"Remembering words." Common is so confusing; his father knew he needed more time, and yet it seemed his patience was running thin. As he ran his long, bruised fingers through longer, blonde hair, Matthias made an attempt to understand clearly.

"I came to you to do that 'venting'thing I heard about, but if you're going to correct me all the time then what's the point?"

"You know I mean well--"

"I don't know what that means!"

"Matthias, you need to calm down."

Matthias Noble had a habit of getting frustrated when he couldn't understand Common. Seeing as how he couldn't compare it easily to Draconic, his caretaker and him decided to try and take it slow. Improvement has been made in the last ten years, but there are simply too many "vervs" and "pronowuns" and "agatives". Matthias would much rather learn from the giant picture box thing. If he wasn't grounded for punching his caretaker in the face, that is.

(Here be part two)

[goose-isnt-cooked]

I think the world has gotten too boring, I have started learning Japanese out of having nothing meaningful to do last year and I'm keeping up everyday. We need to topple a society or something.

[projectbatman193]

I've been trying to learn math and coding for a while now (both are weak points of mine and lye waaay out of my comfort zone), the basic stuff always seem pretty basic, but the more advanced is way too out there for me to grasp, so I very much enjoy the idea of being able to get all from one source.

I've been trying other methods, but felt that a book would be more helpful for me, I took the oportunity to order another book from the same collection but about computer science and coding.

Let's see how this goes, but I feel way more comfortable with books.

[thecrazyphantom]

Funfact, I'm taking Japanese class so I might add Some Japanese into some of my artwork since it helps me remember what the words are/how to write them !!

^_^

[my-japanese-corner]

Japanese word of the day

さかな, 魚 (Hiragana, Kanji)

Pronunciation: sa-ka-na

Meaning: fish

[voidsteffy]

Telugu Baalasiksha with Manu

Part 1 | Part 2📍| Part 3 | Part 4

Hello and we're back! Omg the response I got for the first part (where we covered vowels) was deafening, we're tagging a lot more people and even @aasthuu has started her own Bangla Shikkha Prokolpo📝📝 which I'm loving so far!

I'd love to see y'all writing whatever we do in every post so that you'll remember. As my grandma says, "Whatever curves you think you'll remember, you will not. So write them down." Just reblog my Baalasiksha posts with your input/homework/doubts or mention me or tag it as 'telugu with manu' and we can work on it together❤️

Today, we are going to get to our second checkpoint - consonants aka "hallulu" like " हल्लुलु "

Consonants

(there are a lot of these so buckle up, don't freak out, i can give you tips to remember them too)

క = क = ka (write it like an S and put a tick over it)

ఖ = ख = kha (write a coil type 2 but extend the end upwards, put a reverse tilak at the bottom)

గ = ग = ga (an inverted U and put a tick over it)

ఘ = घ = gha (write the vowel 'ఎ' and put a tick over it, then stick a follow up curve like a tilted half U. top it off with a reverse tilak at the bottom)

ఙ = ञ = inya (write the vowel ఒ (short o), then put a perpendicular sign) ****in telugu inya is used instead of gya, so "gyan/ज्ञान" is pronounced "inyan"

చ = च = cha (like chair) (start with a half च but take it for another bump, top it off with a tick - i'll show dw)

ఛ = छ = chha (like "achhoo!") (write చ, put a reverse tilak at the bottom)

జ = ज = ja (hard g) (write the vowel ఒ (short o), then put a coil at the neck)

ఝ = झ = jha (i'll write and show down below)

ఞ = इणि = ini (write ఇ and put a perpendicular sign at the neck)

ట = ट = hard t ("tip") (i'll write and show down below)

ఠ = ठ = ttha (force the hh sound also with the hard t) (write ठ without the stem, top it off with a tick, also dot in the belly)

డ = ड = da ("don't") (write ఉ without the stem or the rod bisecting it through, top it off with a tick)

ఢ = forceful ढ ("dhol") (write ఉ without the stem or the rod bisecting it through, top it off with a tick and reverse tilak at the bottom)

ణ = ण = roll your 'na' (a flipped '3' and make a standing coil, i'll show)

త = त = "tabla" (i'll show an easier way to write below)

థ = थ = "thaali" (a reverse heart, top off with a tick mark, reverse tilak at the bottom, dot in the belly)

ద = द = "the" (a reverse heart, top off with a tick mark)

ధ = ध = like a bang, dhum (a reverse heart, top off with a tick mark, reverse tilak at the bottom)

న = न = "no" (i'll show an easier way to write below)

ప = प = pa (write the vowel ఎ (e) put a tick mark without touching the body) ****do not confuse for the vowel ఎ

ఫ = फ but without ph emphasis = fa (write the letter ప and put a reverse tilak at the bottom) ****do not confuse for the vowel ఎ

బ = ब = ba (write the letter ఋ but without the 2 trailing half 'U's) ****do not confuse for ఋ (ru) or ఒ (short o) or జ (hard g)

భ = भ = bha (write the letter బ, top it off with a tick mark, put a reverse tilak at the bottom) ****do not confuse for ఋ (ru) or ఒ (short o) or జ (hard g)

మ = म = ma (write the vowel ఎ (e) put a tick mark touching it, put a trailing tilted half U, i'll show below) ****do not confuse for ఘ (gha) or ప (pa)

య = य = ya (write the letter మ but with a bigger circle) ****do not confuse for ఘ (gha) or ప (pa) or మ (ma)

ర = र = ra (don't roll it) (a circle with a tick, easy peasy)

ల = ल = la (a bulging U coiled on the top left end)

వ = व = va (write the vowel ఎ (e) put a tick mark touching it) ****do not confuse for ఘ (gha) or ప (pa) or మ (ma) or య (ya) or vowel ఎ (e)

శ = स्य = sya (or sa as in "Sally") (sort of like a half 8 with a tick, i'll show y'all below)

ష = ष = sha (write the vowel ఎ (e) put a tick mark without touching the body, put a small flipped comma/small '|' beneath. it can be written in another way, i'll show) ****do not confuse for ఘ (gha) or ప (pa) or మ (ma) or య (ya) or vowel ఎ (e) or వ (va)

స = स = sa (write న except don't let the tick mark touch the body) ****do not confuse for న (na)

హ = ह = ha (write ప (pa) and drag a reverse sigma 'σ' from the body's top)

ళ = the ल equivalent of ण (ळ in Marathi) = roll your la (sort of like a half 8 again, with a tick, will show) ****do not confuse for శ (sya)

క్ష = क्ष = ksha (write క (ka) and draw 2 and a half 'U's below) ⁘⁘⁘ so we're technically writing it like क्-षा

AAAAAAND we're done! (phew)

Okay that was long, 35 consonants and some sounds that are inexistent in English. These can be confusing at times, but i really want you all (whoever is planning on sticking through this and learn Telugu) to write every letter down till you can remember how to read it/pronounce it. Reading should come as first priority as you'll seldom be asked to write only in Telugu, but reading can unlock a lot of lingual fun. So make sure of that my honeydrips.

Here's a picture encompassing all the consonants we have learnt today, written by hand so that we can have a good idea of the shapes outside of print.

homework

write this down at least 5 times (the 5th time try to have learnt it by heart), post it and tag me or dm me/send via asks

so that's it for today phew sorry baccho aaj class thoda lamba gaya😜 aur kya haal chaal, did you understand what we did yesterday? take care ha, i need to go scramble for french and maybe some kathak

tagging: @mentally-a-sea-walnut @maybebees @rambheemisgoated @timetravellingkitty @bookish-alone @kuhuchan @aasthuu @remen-nyoodles @lemon-ooruga @bluebeadss @ourstv @budugu @hissterical-nyaan @lite-teesko @ree-wantstochange

let me know if you want to be tagged!

[supernovacat]

Bruh, I sometimes watch videos that have bothered English and Spanish subtitles on the screen and now YouTube thinks I can speak Spanish. So it gives me ads in Spanish. Its weird. Because it's not entirely wrong, I took a few years in highschool, so like I understand every third-ish word, when speaking and every other word when reading, so like I vaugly understand, and with the visuals I can add context. But if I was asked to speak Spanish I could probably only get every fifth word out right. So idk, my Spanish is way better than my Japanese though but for the opposite reason, I have about the same speaking ability, but like if I had to read or write I would be done for, I only know like ten symbols and no kanji.

[olivewisp]

What is the best way to learn a new language? Specifically Brazilian Portuguese? If anyone has any suggestions please let me know.

[somethingusefulfromflorida]

I have a lot of faults, but I'm really proud of myself for committing to my Spanish lessons. It's the only habit I've been able to form by myself; nobody is making me do this, and there are no consequences if I fail to keep it up, but somehow I've found the motivation to continue for almost two years. I've had plenty of ups and downs, but I've never given up; I've only missed a handful of days, less than 10 total, never more than one in a row, and never on purpose.

I've made more progress using Duolingo than I ever made over 16 years of school. I've taken Spanish classes in elementary school, high school, and college, but none of my teachers ever took us past the fundamentals. "Here's how you say the days of the week, here are the seasons, count to 100, memorize this conjugation chart (ignore vosotros, nobody uses vosotros)." My dad is Cuban for Christ's sake, born and raised on the island, Spanish is his first language, but he resents his heritage and flat-out REFUSED to speak it around me or my siblings growing up. One of my sisters is gonna marry a guy from Honduras, so she and I are the only ones in our family who are actively trying to learn it in adulthood.

I've been buying Spanish editions of all my favorite books, and I can read it pretty well, but listening to native speakers is all gibberish to me, so I'd like to start watching Spanish movies or tv shows so I can get a hang of it. Speaking it is also a nightmare for me; I stumble over every single word, translating them one at a time in my head, trying to remember tenses and conjugations and grammar, it's all too much for me right now. I'll get used to it eventually.

I want to be fluent by 2030 at the absolute latest, preferably 2025, but that's a bit of a stretch considering I only talk to like one native Spanish speaker a week for like 5 minutes over the phone. If the United States collapses, I want to have options outside of the anglosphere.