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Happy New Year 2014

Posted by Teddy Nee on January 01, 2014

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What is my ideal language learning environment?

We must learn languages as often as possible to progress fast. The more you can integrate language learning into your routine, the better results you will get. I frequently use my idle time, such as waiting or walking to read or listen to foreign languages. I needed to change my learning style based on where I was at that time. Key factors for an ideal language learning environment: Immersion Active Engagement Feedback and Correction Motivation and Interest Personalized Learning Examples of ideal language learning environments and my experience: Language immersion programs: Spending time in a country where the target language is spoken. My experience: Living in Taiwan pushes me to learn Mandarin fast. Besides survival purposes, knowing Mandarin is also essential to climbing up my career ladder. Language exchange programs: Pairing with native speakers for conversation practice. My experience: I often join language meetups where we are grouped into several tables to practice different la...

Were people in the past more serious about invented languages?

Historical Uses of Invented Languages Philosophers and Universal Languages: In the past, many invented languages were driven by a desire to improve communication and understanding. For example: Esperanto (1887): L. L. Zamenhof created Esperanto as a universal language to promote international peace and understanding. This was a serious, idealistic ambition. Logical Languages: Philosophers such as Gottfried Leibniz in the 17th century dreamed of a universal, logical language that could replace natural languages, often seen as confusing and imperfect. Religion and Mysticism: Invented languages were also used in religious or mystical contexts. An example is Enochian, an "angelic language" that John Dee and Edward Kelley claimed was given to them by supernatural beings in the 16th century. These languages were often considered sacred or symbolic and therefore treated very seriously. Motives Behind Earlier Invented Languages Earlier invented languages often had greater phi...

This is how I remember the Braille alphabet

Trying to remember the Braille dots is like trying to remember mathematics formulas. Dots are fit into a 3x2 shape, making everything look similar. The difference is just one or two dots and the position of the dots. It would help if you had creative techniques to memorize them. Firstly, you must divide it into 3 groups: A-J, K-T, and U-Z. This is because the second and third groups derive from the first group. Each letter from the first group is paired with the dot on the left bottom to make each letter from the second group. Each letter from the first group is paired with two dots at the bottom to make each letter from the third group. An exception is for W, which has only one dot on the right bottom. I memorize some of the alphabets using tricks and some without tricks. Dots for D look like the top right shape of the letter D. Dots for F look like the top left shape of the letter F. Dots for G are special because they make a square shape. Dots for H look like the top left shape of t...

Differences between the Malaysian Han Chinese and Taiwanese Han Chinese

While both Malaysian and Taiwanese Han Chinese share a common cultural heritage, their mentalities differ significantly due to historical, political, and social factors. Malaysian Han Chinese: Multicultural Environment: Malaysian Han Chinese often grow up in a multicultural environment, interacting with people of various ethnicities and religions. This can foster a more tolerant and open-minded perspective. Chinese Influence: Due to historical ties with China, Malaysian Han Chinese may have a stronger connection to Chinese culture and traditions. This can influence their values and worldview. Language: Many Malaysian Han Chinese speak Mandarin, Cantonese, Hokkien, or other Chinese dialects, which can contribute to a sense of cultural identity. Taiwanese Han Chinese: Unique Cultural Identity: Taiwanese Han Chinese have developed a distinct cultural identity that separates them from mainland Chinese. This identity is shaped by factors like the Taiwanese Hokkien language, indig...

The first Macanese legislator of Macau

José Maria Pereira Coutinho (高天賜 in Chinese) is a Macanese jurist and politician, of Portuguese nationality and was born in Macau, China. He has been a member of the Legislative Assembly of Macau since 2005 and President of the Board of Directors of the Macau Civil Servants Association since 1998. Between 2003 and 2021, he was a Counsellor for the Portuguese Communities. He was born in Macau on July 22, 1957, the son of Basílio Câncio Coutinho, a police chief, and Maria Ida Lourdinha Julieta Pereira Coutinho, a housewife. His parents were both born in the then-Portuguese territory of Goa. His mother tongue is Portuguese, and as he was born in Macau, he learned to speak Cantonese in his teenage years and English while studying in high school and university. Coutinho is fluent in Portuguese, English, and Cantonese, and is relatively proficient in Mandarin. Portuguese Cantonese English

Polyglots' Advice

Here are some well-known polyglots and their top language-learning tips: Richard Simcott Languages: Speaks over 16 languages fluently. Advice: "Choose the learning resources that interest you the most. Consistency and enjoyment are key to maintaining motivation." Benny Lewis Languages: Known for learning languages quickly, speaks several including Spanish, French, and German. Advice: "Speak from day one. Don't wait until you feel 'ready'—start using the language immediately." Luca Lampariello Languages: Speaks 13 languages. Advice: "Translate texts back and forth between your native language and the target language to deepen understanding and retention." Olly Richards Languages: Speaks 8 languages. Advice: "Learn through stories. Contextual learning through narratives helps in retaining vocabulary and grammar." Steve Kaufmann Languages: Speaks 20 languages. Advice: "Focus on learning. Listen and read a lot instead of worrying too...

Why did Esperanto fail as a common language?

I learned Esperanto out of curiosity, and I am not a fanatic Esperantist. I know many Esperantists from various countries, even those who don’t speak English or other major international languages well. Our friendship wouldn’t have happened without Esperanto. Esperanto is successful in this aspect. I believe Esperanto is not perfect, no language in this world is perfect. Esperanto is not perfect or has failed because people who opposed it promote negative comments about it. If they don’t want to learn it, they can leave it and don’t need to comment. They express negative comments in articles or videos to attract uneducated followers who would jump to conclusions without further research. Esperanto is indeed Euro-centric. The creator lived in a European neighborhood. Esperanto would be Asian-centric if the creator had lived in Asia when he created Esperanto. This Euro-centric characteristic is not a problem for Asian Esperantists. They care more about how useful Esperanto is than what E...

Salary Disparity Between Foreign English Teachers and Office Workers in Taiwan

Taiwan is a popular destination for foreign English teachers. Many come to Taiwan because of the good pay and benefits compared to other jobs. However, there is a noticeable difference between the salaries of foreign English teachers and regular office workers. English Teacher Salaries Foreign English teachers in Taiwan can earn between $2,000 to $3,000 USD per month. Some teachers may earn more depending on their experience and the school they work for. Many schools also offer benefits such as housing allowances, bonuses, and paid vacations. Some teachers take extra tutoring jobs, which can pay $20 to $25 USD per hour. Office Worker Salaries In contrast, regular office workers in Taiwan often earn much less. The average salary for an office worker is around $1,000 to $1,500 USD per month. Many office workers work long hours, sometimes 50 to 60 hours per week, but their salaries remain lower than those of foreign teachers. Reasons for the Salary Difference There are several reasons why...

Chavacano language: The Spanish language of Asia

Chavacano is a Spanish-based Creole language spoken primarily in Zamboanga City and parts of the Philippines. Originating during the Spanish colonial era, it blends Spanish vocabulary with local Philippine languages like Tagalog and Cebuano. Approximately 70% of its lexicon comes from Spanish, yet it features unique grammatical structures. Chavacano is a vital cultural identifier for its speakers and is used in local media and education. Despite challenges from dominant languages like Tagalog and English, efforts to preserve and promote Chavacano continue, highlighting its importance in the Philippines' linguistic heritage. I had the chance to learn this beautiful language on a language-learning platform called Italki. My teacher was the only Chavacano teacher so I felt fortunate to have found her. I find this language easy to learn because I already know Spanish. Chavacano sounds like the Filipino version of the Spanish language.

Analyzing Taiwanese Learners' Perceptions of English Varieties

Written interviews were used in this study to find out how Taiwanese learners felt about non-native English speakers. The information was gathered from a group of Taiwanese students enrolled in an English language course at a private university language center in the Philippines. The study's conclusion urges Taiwanese learners to become more cognizant of the fact that English is widely used as an international language and to be exposed to more non-native English speakers. The researcher, who teaches in Taiwan, observed that many of his Taiwanese pupils appear to believe that mastering the American standard is necessary for success in learning English. According to the researcher's earlier research, Taiwanese learners found non-native English speakers to sound strange. If the goal of learning English is to communicate in a language that adheres to international standards, this is problematic. The number of non-native English speakers has surpassed that of native speakers. Non-n...

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