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by
Jessica
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Jan 16, 2009 03:53AM

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One of the things I have recently become interested in is beading. I don't know a lot about it but I have tons of beads. The difficult thing is, though, that I very rarely wear jewelry. I did give it for Christmas.


Actually Russian isn't that difficult to learn. Like Hebrew, the hard part is memorizing the alphabet and Russian will take you about a week. Then I advise you to try and read a page or two, sounding out the words with the letters you know. When you can read the words easily, you are ready to learn phrases.
After that, you can pretty much start off learning the phrases that you definitely need. I like to know where bathrooms, hotels, restaurants and train stations are, in that order of importance when travelling.It can be a very beautiful language. I studied it in college to read Russian scientific treatises. Contrary to popular belief, drinking vodka while speaking Russian only makes you think you sound wonderful:)
I would like to relearn French and learn Spanish for a start with languages. I hope to get to it someday.

My college professor in Romance languages told me that he learned Spanish well by going to the cheap movies in Mexico. To me that would be a kind of torture although I did learn a middle eastern language, at least conversationally, by watching TV. OK, I had lessons too, but listening helps a lot. I just wish you didn't lose it so quickly.
BTW that program the State Department uses (it's on TV) is really good. I used one to learn Chinese before I went to Taiwan and it was amazingly useful even after just a month.
I would love to learn Chinese. My son learned some Mandarin when he was very young (because he was in a local preschool in Singapore). Unfortunately, he has lost that skill.
Oddly, for years I could read French for many years after my college French classes. Slowly, that skill faded.
I think you are right--if you don't use it, you lose it. For example, I used to be quite good at sign language, but when I no longer needed it, well...not so good at it anymore.
Oddly, for years I could read French for many years after my college French classes. Slowly, that skill faded.
I think you are right--if you don't use it, you lose it. For example, I used to be quite good at sign language, but when I no longer needed it, well...not so good at it anymore.

Yes, you have to find a use for things if you want to keep them up. I learned French so I could read Marcel Proust but I hardly recognize any of it any more.

Elena wrote: "I usually read the Italian translations of books, but I realize I often miss something. Besides, the translations are not always very accurate. So if I've enjoyed a book, I often get the original E..."
I agree...sadly I'm only fluent in English.
I agree...sadly I'm only fluent in English.


I would think it about the same for an Italian to read both Virgil and Dante as it would someone of English cultural descent to read Beowulf and Chaucer.
I love Shakespeare and Chaucer in their original language. Sadly, not speaking any other language (other than college French--Le Petit Prince), I haven't read many other original texts. I wish I knew Latin and I don't know why--except...well, it would be fun.
I found a copy of Chaucer at my father's house when I was there last time and I took it off the shelf. So beautiful to read, although I doubt I can speak the words. Now, I have to find my copy.
I found a copy of Chaucer at my father's house when I was there last time and I took it off the shelf. So beautiful to read, although I doubt I can speak the words. Now, I have to find my copy.

Going back to the new skills, I am just starting to learn to sew...I have an old sewing machine, and have just started cutting out the pieces for a new dress, so im just hoping ill be able to wear it when Im done!