I can get by in Spanish… I’d need some help, but I could make do. French would be a tad trickier, I’d definitely need a handy translation book (or a cute translator.) But, I want to learn some obscure language. Or something unexpected… Maybe Mandarin Chinese, that could be useful. Welsh or one of the Gaelic languages would be fun, and difficult. Have you ever heard Welsh spoken?
I’d love to be fluent in many. I think this will be my new hobby, since I don’t read anymore… I can’t seem to pick up any of the hundred or so books that are on my reading list… I’d rather rot my brain watching t.v. The Mister reads every night in bed, while I feel compelled to veg out with Food Network or HGTV. I do enjoy a lot of Discovery and Travel Channel… At least those can be stimulating and educational.
It’s sad that I’m not reading lately, though. We both come from a family of voracious readers and we have thousands of books in the house. I took like fifteen to the beach a couple of weeks ago. We were there for five days. I read about 75 pages out of one. If that. I do love to read, I just don’t make the time. No idea why. (Guess it could have something to do with two small children sucking the energy out of me…) If I do read, it’s mostly non-fiction these days, and ancient history of some sort. (I’ve always studied ancient histories, but would work some fiction in there, too.)
So, since I am too lazy to read, too lazy to paint or draw (although, I have been feeling rather artistic lately,) too lazy to clean the house, or do anything productive, I think I’ll learn a new language. I can sit in my comfy chair and do that. How about that Rosetta Stone system? They say that the CIA or somebody uses their program. Maybe, I’ll look into it. I bet there is something you could download to your i-pod… Or we could get cds and listen to them at home and in the car. Ooh, Avery and I could have our own “secret language.” We could speak Swahili and the Mister would never know what we were plotting… This could be so much fun.
Sign Language is fun and easy. There are some free sites like Lifeprint.com are great. I recently posted some dirty signs on my blog….
I took Scottish Gaelic in college. It was HARD… all I remember is how to ask for Whiskey…which translated to English is ‘Water of Life’… the things you remember…
By the way…. I’ve commented a couple times now and haven’t seen even a little ass…;)
LOL, Cristin! I loved your dirty signs, btw!!!!! I can semi-sign, I guess… Does knowing the alphabet count????
Oooh, Scottish Gaelic! That’d be awesome! And, that’s probably a very important phrase to know if you ever got stranded in the Scottish countryside…
LMAO! I had to edit this comment… I thought I was putting up a kissy face and it was a meanie face. Oops! AND, I totally misread that last comment of yours… I keep forgetting I’m supposed to show some ass for comments. I’ll totally do it! I promise! I’m not shy…
I wonder if you have considered learning the international auxiliary language Esperanto.
Esperanto is a planned language which belongs to no one country or group of states. Take a look at http://www.esperanto.net
Esperanto works! I’ve used it in speech and writing in a dozen countries over recent years.
What do you think?
Bill, I did a quick review, but will look further into it this evening. I have to say, I’m not sure that I’ve ever heard of it. Thanks!
(first time on this blog its pretty cool!)
I must admin I can never seem to learn a language on my own even with tapes or online help. I guess I might be thick!
I do want to say try out the BBC (bbc.co.uk) as they have get by guides for several languages and the best thing about them is you lcick a button and it plays the word your trying to learn. I can say about four words in polish now lol – pretty cool.
Again, nice blog!