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Re: Texts shaping language

From:Tony Harris <tony.harris@...>
Date:Tuesday, March 2, 1999, 1:27
Irina Rempt <ira@...> wrote:
> I *do* write original texts, and they shape the language the way it =
wants to go I have definitely found that many uses of Aluric, including translating = texts, writing original texts, and trying to talk to myself primarily or = exclusively in the language, all have helped both to reveal its many = aspects and to increase the richness of the vocabulary. Also, it helps = me to see Aluric as a living, working language rather than something = that exists only in theory. I have also very much noticed that many = times the language goes the way it wants to, resisting any attempts on = my part to shape it. And, the more I use and know the language, the = more it has a life and direction of its own. And Pablo Flores wrote:
>I find it difficult trying to write original texts >(I mean, without thinking them in my own language >first). I'm terrible at memorizing words, and I have >to consult my dictionary constantly, but I'm sure that's >not it -- I guess I think too much about details and >that slows me down.
I used to find this really difficult, but I've been working a LOT on = learning the vocabulary, writing my journal in Aluric, translating = passages of the Bible, pamphlets, advertising, and even newspaper = articles, making notes during meetings at work, and the all important = "talking to myself" which is something I like to do while walking out in = the woods (less people to think I am completely out of my mind! ;-) All = of these have helped me to learn more of the language. I have also done things like developed reports in Microsoft Access that = allow me to print the entire vocabulary in an English-Aluric and = Aluric-English format in *VERY* small type so it fits on a minimum = number of pages and is carryable (useful for those woodland sessions). = I have also printed study sheets this same way. Plus, I wrote up a Visual Basic program at one point that would do a = multiple choice quiz, either Aluric-English or English-Aluric, so I = could practice. Although I haven't used the quiz program to its full = potential, it does help quite a bit. I never did try flash cards, but I did think about them quite a bit and = I think they could be useful too. Anything that gets you *using* the = language I think is bound to help you begin to *think* in the language. Just my two cents... Tony Harris Community College of Vermont tony.harris@ccvtest.ccv.vsc.edu