For Great Learnings!

[highlyeccentric]

I just sent off my enrolment for 'Beginning German 1' through the ANU continuing ed. people. Twenty hours, 6-8pm on a Wednesday from some time in March. Some people take dancing lessons or go to the gym or join dog-walking clubs... I collect languages. And hey, this one isn't dead yet!

Comments

[ineptshieldmaid.livejournal.com]

Maybe I should learn Dutch!

*tilts head* Has Dutch got bits of bastard French in it? Please explain the difference between 'wereld' and 'mond'? :D

[niamh-sage.livejournal.com]

It does have bits of French in it, but 'mond' isn't one of them - in Dutch, 'mond' means mouth. 'Wereld' = world which I think you've already guessed.

Here, this ought to be of interest to you, you linguist you: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Dutch

[ineptshieldmaid.livejournal.com]

Oh, right, I was reading mond as world, 'cos my brain was just matching things up to the nearest word I knew, irrespective of language.

Huh, Frankish, you say? Interesting. I wonder if I could read Frankish, then? *has delusions of grandeur*

[niamh-sage.livejournal.com]

Yeah I had the same trouble when I was first learning Dutch because French was still my only second language, so every time I reached for a Dutch word I got a French one instead, or if I saw a word that looked French then I tried to translate it as French.

I'm quite sure you could read Frankish if you put your mind to it!

[ineptshieldmaid.livejournal.com]

I'm wondering if, if I learn German, I will be able to read Middle High German? That would be FUN. I could read cross-dressing medieval german erotic poetry in the original!

[niamh-sage.livejournal.com]

I don't see why not! My Mum is learning German for her theological studies (because lots of the important texts are in German as their original language). I don't know if she's going to join you reading cross-dressing medieval german erotic poetry though :P

[highlyeccentric.livejournal.com]

Cross-dressing medieval erotic poetry is the BEST. *beams happily*

[niamh-sage.livejournal.com]

Well I'm glad you've found your highly (ha ha) specialised niche ;)

[(Anonymous)]

Dag (not Salut) A,

Hoe maakt u het?

As a half-Frank from Belgie (NOT Belgique), I must warn you that if you confuse Dutch and French I shall have to be mean to you. Not that I care, you see, but it's the principle of the thing. It would basically be letting Jenny's Pervert D win. I'm sure you understand that I can't let that happen. Anyone who laughs so much must be stopped.
Love, april (not Avril)