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Because they will all be a lot easier?
Yes. German has a fairly full set of systematic grammar, especially in the 'core' aspects of language. (For instance, Italian doesn't have much declension of nouns, but a full conjugation system for verbs. German has both--a complex and powerful noun declension and likewise excellent conjugation of verbs.)
I don't believe that any highly-developed modern language really has much 'less' grammar than another, but for learning other languages, it helps if grammar is systematic.
English, for instance, has very unsystematic grammar, and that makes it difficult for native speakers of English to learn other languages. I also think that while the rudiments of English are very easy to pick up, learning to speak it well is actually considerably more difficult than learning to speak German well (which by contrast is harder to get into, but that becomes easier once you've grasped the systematic aspects).
English has a couple of advantages over German on less 'core' issues, such as that it has to be quite precise about numbers of things or people (as it lacks other ways of making the meaning of noun references clear), or indeed has the continuous vs. simple form, which is a distinction that German only has in very rudimentary and unidiomatic form. English is also more precise about the sequence of tenses than German, etc.
English of course still has a lot of grammar that is a joy to study and understand (although I understand that in the past this used to be taught very much by rote, which is very ineffective). There are in every language ways of expression that other languages don't cover. I don't know them all, of course, but I've studied a lot of grammatical phenomena and there is essentially a huge number of possibilities, and no one language can cover them all--which is one major reason why it's so important to preserve a big diversity of languages. We're currently losing them at the rate of several a year.
I have a feeling that I've made very similar posts to this before, which I'm sure a quick search could turn up, so apologies for duplication and repetition.
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And apologies--unfortunately, I can't make it this Wednesday.
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Did anyone else have to google declension?
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Did anyone else have to google declension?
Pffft! English has only two cases (for pronouns only). Try to learn Polish. Bloody mess. You cannot communicate even if you memorise hundreds of words :-/
I've learnt German for six years at school, but since I've started using English (which I know only from the street) it all faded away...
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English, for instance, has very unsystematic grammar, and that makes it difficult for native speakers of English to learn other languages. I also think that while the rudiments of English are very easy to pick up, learning to speak it well is actually considerably more difficult than learning to speak German well (which by contrast is harder to get into, but that becomes easier once you've grasped the systematic aspects).
I would agree here. It's easier to get the grasp of basic English and communicate on an everyday level. I don't need to worry about complex forms - once I memorise the word I can use it freely (sure it's hit and miss with the present perfect and past tense etc.).
I also found German more systematic, but much more to learn at first. I'd love to learn German again at some point, as I travel through German speaking countries a lot and it's real shame to speak in English.
Are you free for tuition, Oliver? :-) -
Didn't read that far. :)
+1
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Didn't read that far. :)
Ah, it sounds as if you declined to read that far. ;P
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Are you free for tuition, Oliver? :-)
Ah well, given the promising new direction this thread is taking, I'm sure we could increase the attractiveness of Easts again for those desirous of knowledge by turning it into a German Stammtisch. ;)
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Ah well, given the promising new direction this thread is taking, I'm sure we could increase the attractiveness of Easts again for those desirous of knowledge by turning it into a German Stammtisch. ;)
Is that a regular get together cake reference? Or a irregular pie and crumble reference?
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French is the easiest, as you don't actually have to learn any words - just shrug and mumble "aw-haw" a lot.
my friend freddy...frog...
excuse my french.
YouTube- "excuse my french" http://www.myspace.com/freddyfrogshead
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I have Fruitbats mobile - anyone going to be around early? I have a date so i have to miss the party :-(
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my friend freddy...frog...
excuse my french.
YouTube- "excuse my french" http://www.myspace.com/freddyfrogshead
Aw-haw-he-haw
C'est fantastique!
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perhaps some form of enormous goods vehicle.
It blocked brick lane a couple of weekends ago. Running at 3 mpg at the moment which is worrying as it should do around 9mpg with a loaded trailer.
Also I'm cycling and fancy a drink. Oh and custard and or spray cream topped with either a love heart and or grated high cocoa chocolate.
Oliver Schick
D._Generate
lynx
wools
EEI
ChainBreaker
Wingedangel
hoonz
Scrapper
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East Beers - Wednesdays - The Chesham Arms E9 6DU
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Tssssk. Bonnet de douche, Rodney! It's laugh and joke, BQ, laugh and joke...