What is a "Thread Drift"???

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

someone tell me how on earth we get "mer-ang" out of that word.. i always feel bad for ESL folks with all the French and other languages mixed into ours...

I think it's the NON French/Latin/Italian/Spanish derived words that are harder for most ESL'ers. (Unless they are Chinese etc...in which case ALL english would be hard to learn. ) So much of French/Italian/Spanish are constructed the same way and have words from the same roots.
In Spanish, for instance, when you see the written word, there is only ONE way to pronounce it, there are no weirdo exceptions and rule-breakers in basic pronunciation of letters. None of the infuriating english "I READ that book last week" vs. "I will READ that book next week".....and no "died" and "dyed" or "waited" and "weighted" being pronounced exactly the same way.

[Bikingmomof3]

I do think English is a difficult language (my typos excluded ) to learn. Norwegian was fun and I still use it. Spanish was simple compared to German, I recall precious little Latin. Russian meant learning how to read and write a completely different alphabet, by then I was up to the challenge. One of my boys is studying French, a language I would like to learn someday.

[Bikingmomof3]

I have two Easter outfits. Both were purchased when it was in the 80s a week or so ago. Well tonight is Easter Vigil and it is snowing, which delights me. The problem is, the outfits are for warm weather. The dress is sleeveless and the skirt and top combo are definitley not any warmer. Ack! I knew I should have knit myslef a shawl!

[roguedog]

I do think English is a difficult language (my typos excluded ) to learn. Norwegian was fun and I still use it. Spanish was simple compared to German, I recall precious little Latin. Russian meant learning how to read and write a completely different alphabet, by then I was up to the challenge. One of my boys is studying French, a language I would like to learn someday.

Umm.. what are you? A linguist? That's awesome. I'd love to learn new languages.. or so I believe anyway. But I think I'm classicist.at heart cuz I wanted to learn Latin, Hebrew, and Sanskrit. I loved Latin in high school and took it in college as well. Do I remember any.. uh barely. Took some German while working nights just for something to do during the day. Then took conversation French for fun when I was going to Paris. Teach said to uh... stick to German Of course, I'm being facetious. What she actually said was... "Wow listen to your friend. Her accent is great!"

Stay warm. Put on a coat. YOu've already got a cold. Warmth over fashion. That's me and my wardrobe shows it too!

[Aggie_Ama]

Wow BMO3 that is a lot of languages! I had a lot of difficulty learning Spanish and remember very little. DH had to learn Spanish for his job and after six months his pronounciation is amazing. I heard him the other day talking to his employees and it just rolled off his tongue. It will be such an asset to him in his field when he become fluent.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Jennifer knows a LOT of languages, it's totally amazing.
I am fluent in Spanish, and I can get along a little with very simple French, which we brushed up on before going to Quebec in 2005. My Spanish definitely helped me to learn French, but several French speaking people in Quebec asked me if I spoke Spanish as I was speaking French to them, because apparently I have a slight Spanish accent when I speak French! Language is so fascinating and wonderful, just like music.

[Wahine]

I learned French first and Sanish after. French people think I have a Spanish accent and vice versa. No one ever guesses that I'm Canadian.

When I was in the Canary Islands, everyone would ask if I was German or English. They don't get many tourists from other countries, especailly not Canadians. When I told them I was Canadian, they would immediately ask if I was from the french speaking part of Canada. I was amazed. These people, half way around the world, living on a set of tiny islands adjacent to Morocco not only knew where Canada was, they also knew that we have 2 official languages and knew that people from east were more likely to be french speaking than people from the west. They must put some emphasis on geography in their schools. Even the bus drivers knew.

[LBTC]

I barely passed french classes, but the format was terrible - I don't think anyone was expected to Speak it after completing high school classes! I've always admired people who could speak many languages, and have always thought that if I set my mind to it I could learn other languages, but my priorities and commitment are completely in other directions! Once again, I am humbled by the depth and breadth of knowlege, experience and intelligence on this forum!

On a completely different note - I'm so glad we bought gadgets when we had the money to do it!

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/2423139

That was my ride yesterday. It's even cooler if you view it on google earth!

Hugs & butterflies,
~T~