Language Log

General

Resources

• Google Translate. Not reliable for sentences, but for quick vocab checks, it's good!

• The app HiNative is wonderful, especially for self-study learners. It allows you to ask native speakers of the language you're learning questions about anything you need help with.

Tips

• Take your own notes, preferably handwritten. It helps to write out grammar rules and explanations, and it is easier to remember and learn new words and topics by writing instead of typing.

• Remember vocab through vocab lists, flashcards, or Quizlet ! Have some resources handy for any review when you're on the go.

• Talk to someone (even yourself is okay).

• Listen to the language, whether it's through music, TV shows, or podcasts! This definitely helps with pronunciation and level of comfort with hearing the language.

• This isn't always possible, but traveling to places where they speak the language boosts language skills tremendously. It definitely increases your interest in the culture as well as the language.

 

Tajiki

Resources

under construction :)

 

Japanese

Resources

• Jisho is a good Japanese translator website.

• I've been using the Genki textbooks to learn, which come with audio CDs and a workbook.

  • Genki review

  • Self-study room

• Duolingo recently released its Japanese course, which is good for complete beginners.

• Textfugu is an online textbook. Be warned, it's suited for motivated self-learners only!

• Hiragana & katakana practice:

  • RealKana

  • Drag 'n Drop

Tips

• Master hiragana before anything else.

• Be conscious of long vs. short vowels.

• Stroke order is important! 

 

Spanish

Resources

• SpanishDict is a great Spanish translator website.

• The Duolingo Spanish course is good for beginners.

• StudySpanish is an amazing website with grammar, vocab, practice problems, & quizzes.

Tips

• Pay attention to accents.

• Think whether anything you're saying is hypothetical or doubtful. If so, consider the subjunctive!

• Don't always trust English-looking words; they could be false cognates!

• People from differing Spanish-speaking countries may use different words for the same object, may have different accents, or use certain tenses more or less. Remember, Spain uses vosotros!

 

Linguistics

Resources

• The NACLO website has lots of practice problems, as does the IOL website.

• Animated History of Writing

• The LingSpace

• Language Profiles

Tips

• Open your mind. You'll find that linguistics and language are intrinsically connected with culture.