Is Anyone Here Learning An Obscure Language?

Pippin Skywalker · 03-10-2002, 08:25 PM

I am working on Old English. Anyone else interested in and/or learning a more obscure language?

etan-- old english for eat

ofercuman-- overcome

Not far different from the langauge we speak eh?

LuthienTinuviel · 03-10-2002, 08:58 PM

im trying my hardest to learn elvish.
ive got the vowels down and can pronounce it right if it's written out in words, not elvish script.
but i don't know what it means, except for a little bit.
doncha wish you could just snap your fingers and know it all?

FrodoFriend · 03-11-2002, 12:35 AM

I'm learning Magyar. It's the national language of Hungary (am going to Hungary next year). The best thing about it is that it pretty much unrelated to any other language, except possibly Finnish, which means an entirely different structure of grammar, etc. Szeretek!

Legolas · 03-11-2002, 04:36 AM

Well, you may say Lithuanian is also obscure, but not for me, Lithuanian guy...
Anyway, I also learn Quenya (though learning 3 foreign langs at school makes me forget Quenya for a while)

ryan · 03-11-2002, 06:54 PM

i want to learn to speak the language of the navajo =\

Elf Girl · 03-11-2002, 07:23 PM

Latin, just started Quenya.

galadriel88 · 03-11-2002, 07:24 PM

I'd really like to get my mom to teach me Afrikaans - it's one of several national languages of South Africa. My mom grew up there and we visited about four years ago. It's kinda like German - a little rough sounding, but similar to English as well.

Oh, and it's definitely not obscure, but I can't wait to learn Spanish! We don't get to take it at my school til we're juniors.

LuthienTinuviel · 03-11-2002, 07:46 PM

juniors?! wow..
it has been an option here since 6th grade.
that is so cool, i love learning about other peoples lives.
i call it curiosity, most call it nosy.
i guess im just one for details.
why would they laeve it until your a junior?
wow..
what other classes do yuo have, like electives?

Pippin Skywalker · 03-11-2002, 08:36 PM

wow good going guys! All odd language geeks unite!!!

I want to learn Latin! It sounds like an AWESOME language. I would like to learn Irish Gaelic.

Nobody should feel bad about being into obscure languages....Tolkien himself was into that. We would have no Elvish otherwise! The guy knew Old and Middle English,Gothic lol, Welsh....the dude had a field day with all that! I probably would not have bought my books on Old English if JRR had not inspired me!

So enjoy folks! You can also feel free to give language samples here if you like!

This smilie------>

Rocks!

galadriel88 · 03-11-2002, 08:45 PM

Until you're a freshmen or somewhere around that age, the only elective we get is to choose between P.E. and band. It's a very small school, see the thread "Gerr stuped mom" for more info on where I go.

FrodoFriend · 03-11-2002, 11:48 PM

There's actually a Gothic language? I had no idea!

mirrille · 03-12-2002, 02:30 AM

Wow. I'm so impressed by all the language geniuses here.
I only know "common" languages.
This is very interesting.

Arathorn · 03-12-2002, 04:12 AM

I'm trying my hand again at Assembly language. I need it for work.

**crickhollow** · 03-12-2002, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Oh, and it's definitely not obscure, but I can't wait to learn Spanish! We don't get to take it at my school til we're juniors.

Til your a junior? Unhappy for you. Anyway, practice saying this to your friends. Even though it doesn't make sense, if you get the pronounciation right, you sound like a true spanish-speaking individual to those who don't know any better. Those who do know better generally fall on the floor laughing, but as long as you're in on the joke, there's nothing wrong with that.

El gallo camina norte a la medianoche.

Anyone wanna guess at the translation?

PS I'm starting Greek next year!

galadriel88 · 03-12-2002, 06:34 PM

Well, I do know a little bit already. Like:

Hola amigos! Como este va?

Muy bien, gracias. Y tu?

Also uno, dos, tres, quatro cinco, ses (don't know anything further than that!)

Starr Polish · 03-12-2002, 10:23 PM

Latin would be cool to learn.

Languages I want to learn or am learning:
Quenya
Spanish
Latin
Gaelic
Italian
Japanese (my stepbrother is learning it currently)

Nariel Starfire · 03-12-2002, 11:59 PM

I'm learning Swahili, and I'm workig on Elvish (I do speak German and english fluently, and almost spanish fluently)

sun-star · 03-13-2002, 03:56 PM

I am very jealous of Tolkien for all the languages he knew, especially Old English. How would you go about learning that, by the way?

Laurenis · 03-13-2002, 04:44 PM

the only latin sentences ull ever need to know are:

canis est in via (an old class favourite...)
the dog is in the street

oh suspirium meum!
oh my heartthrob!

meus canis id comedit...
my dog ate it (see American Pie!)

te omnes puellae amant!!
all the girls love you!

radikitus comes!
rad man!

oh another one we actually learnt today...:

tibi moriendum est!!!
YOU MUST DIE!!! (yeh evil i know!)

so yeh they're the best latin phrases but i mean these days during the lessons we hardly learn anything. we just spend the whole 45 minutes taking the p!ss out of our stupid teacher. shes a mad old woman, with words best describing her being:

antiqua (old)
caudex (idiot)
crudelis (cruel/evil)
ebria (drunk [not really lol])
harupsex (soothsayer haha)
immemor (forgetful)
infesta (hostile)
insana (mad)
obstinata (stubborn)
perfida (treacherous)
squalida (covered in dirt)

so yeh ok shes not really that bad but still its quite funny. im starting to ramble on now. ill stop

Pippin Skywalker · 03-13-2002, 06:39 PM

Sunstar- There are a few good books to be had that teach Old English (or Anglo-Saxon, another name for the language). One is "An Invitation To Old English & Anglo-Saxon England" By Bruce Mitchell. Another by the same guy is "A Guide To Old English." I have both of these as well as a Dictionary of Old English (Not exact title). Look for these books on Amazon...I know for sure one of the Bruce Mitchell ones is there.

All the best!

Old English is a Germanic language. Other major influences on it are Latin, Scandinavian and Norman. There are a dozen or so more languages that give small contributions to it.

Weird Language of the Day: Gaulish. Spoken by the Gauls. Supposedly these people were early Frenchman I think. If you ask me it sound like monsters, lol.

03-10-2002, 08:25 PM	#1
Pippin Skywalker Enting Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 93	Is Anyone Here Learning An Obscure Language? I am working on Old English. Anyone else interested in and/or learning a more obscure language? etan-- old english for eat ofercuman-- overcome Not far different from the langauge we speak eh?

03-10-2002, 08:58 PM	#2
LuthienTinuviel protector of orphaned rabbits Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Kalamazoo... yes, its a real place! Posts: 1,236	im trying my hardest to learn elvish. ive got the vowels down and can pronounce it right if it's written out in words, not elvish script. but i don't know what it means, except for a little bit. doncha wish you could just snap your fingers and know it all? __________________

03-11-2002, 12:35 AM	#3
FrodoFriend Halfwitted Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Eryn Vorn Posts: 1,659	I'm learning Magyar. It's the national language of Hungary (am going to Hungary next year). The best thing about it is that it pretty much unrelated to any other language, except possibly Finnish, which means an entirely different structure of grammar, etc. Szeretek! __________________ Fingolfin lives! ... in my finger! The Crossroads of Arda - Warning. Halfwit content. Not appropriate for people with IQ of over 18. The Fellowship of the Message Board Nyáréonié - The Tale of Tears

03-11-2002, 04:36 AM	#4
Legolas Elven Warrior Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Vilnius, Lithuania Posts: 171	Well, you may say Lithuanian is also obscure, but not for me, Lithuanian guy... Anyway, I also learn Quenya (though learning 3 foreign langs at school makes me forget Quenya for a while) __________________ Legolas - a stupid stubborn elf

03-11-2002, 06:54 PM	#5
ryan t2t relic Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 531	i want to learn to speak the language of the navajo =\ __________________ "And the Lord spoke, "Send me your money, Empty thine wallets into my pockets my pockets, the pockets of Ryan, Ryan, he who will deliver the money unto me. Then you will truley be happy." And the people followed, and all was well." --Ryan 62:33

03-11-2002, 07:23 PM	#6
Elf Girl Lurker Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Lothlórien Posts: 3,419	Latin, just started Quenya. __________________ There's antimony, arsenic, aluminum, selenium...

03-11-2002, 07:24 PM	#7
galadriel88 Halfwitted Queen of Lothlorien Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Far off in a dream Posts: 1,166	I'd really like to get my mom to teach me Afrikaans - it's one of several national languages of South Africa. My mom grew up there and we visited about four years ago. It's kinda like German - a little rough sounding, but similar to English as well. Oh, and it's definitely not obscure, but I can't wait to learn Spanish! We don't get to take it at my school til we're juniors. __________________ The beuatiful mind/The beautiful heart/Doesn't deserve the pain/How can I stop the rain? -How Can I Stop the Rain? by Kessid, my new favorite band +Every good thing that comes into my life is only a reflection of the greatest gift of all; the offering of yourself, dear Son of God+ Always remember, you're uniqe, just like everybody else! "The one constant through all the years has been the Trombone. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. Its been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again, but the Trombone has marked the time. This field, this section, this band is a part of our past. It reminds us of all that once was good, and could be again. Oh, people will come . . . people will most definitely come."

03-11-2002, 07:46 PM	#8
LuthienTinuviel protector of orphaned rabbits Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Kalamazoo... yes, its a real place! Posts: 1,236	juniors?! wow.. it has been an option here since 6th grade. that is so cool, i love learning about other peoples lives. i call it curiosity, most call it nosy. i guess im just one for details. why would they laeve it until your a junior? wow.. what other classes do yuo have, like electives? __________________

03-11-2002, 08:36 PM	#9
Pippin Skywalker Enting Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 93	wow good going guys! All odd language geeks unite!!! I want to learn Latin! It sounds like an AWESOME language. I would like to learn Irish Gaelic. Nobody should feel bad about being into obscure languages....Tolkien himself was into that. We would have no Elvish otherwise! The guy knew Old and Middle English,Gothic lol, Welsh....the dude had a field day with all that! I probably would not have bought my books on Old English if JRR had not inspired me! So enjoy folks! You can also feel free to give language samples here if you like! This smilie------> Rocks! __________________ Gimli: I'm Short! I'm Bad! I'm King of Khazaad! Note: That was not an actual quote from J.R.R. Tolkien's novel!

03-11-2002, 08:45 PM	#10
galadriel88 Halfwitted Queen of Lothlorien Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Far off in a dream Posts: 1,166	Until you're a freshmen or somewhere around that age, the only elective we get is to choose between P.E. and band. It's a very small school, see the thread "Gerr stuped mom" for more info on where I go. __________________ The beuatiful mind/The beautiful heart/Doesn't deserve the pain/How can I stop the rain? -How Can I Stop the Rain? by Kessid, my new favorite band +Every good thing that comes into my life is only a reflection of the greatest gift of all; the offering of yourself, dear Son of God+ Always remember, you're uniqe, just like everybody else! "The one constant through all the years has been the Trombone. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. Its been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again, but the Trombone has marked the time. This field, this section, this band is a part of our past. It reminds us of all that once was good, and could be again. Oh, people will come . . . people will most definitely come."

03-11-2002, 11:48 PM	#11
FrodoFriend Halfwitted Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Eryn Vorn Posts: 1,659	There's actually a Gothic language? I had no idea! __________________ Fingolfin lives! ... in my finger! The Crossroads of Arda - Warning. Halfwit content. Not appropriate for people with IQ of over 18. The Fellowship of the Message Board Nyáréonié - The Tale of Tears

03-12-2002, 02:30 AM	#12
mirrille Elven Warrior Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Canada Posts: 479	Wow. I'm so impressed by all the language geniuses here. I only know "common" languages. This is very interesting.

03-12-2002, 04:12 AM	#13
Arathorn Bard of Mangled Songs Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: West of Middle Earth...oh alright...Manila Posts: 2,679	I'm trying my hand again at Assembly language. I need it for work. __________________ Power attracts the corruptible. Absolute power attracts the absolutely corruptible. -Missionaria Protectiva, Frank Herbert *Accio, Ash Nazg!* Elennuru s?la lúmenn' omentielvo* (The Death Star shines on the hour of our meeting) - Darth Arathorn Put aside the ranger... Start looking for Mumakil action figures...

03-12-2002, 06:34 PM	#15
galadriel88 Halfwitted Queen of Lothlorien Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Far off in a dream Posts: 1,166	Well, I do know a little bit already. Like: Hola amigos! Como este va? Muy bien, gracias. Y tu? Also uno, dos, tres, quatro cinco, ses (don't know anything further than that!) __________________ The beuatiful mind/The beautiful heart/Doesn't deserve the pain/How can I stop the rain? -How Can I Stop the Rain? by Kessid, my new favorite band +Every good thing that comes into my life is only a reflection of the greatest gift of all; the offering of yourself, dear Son of God+ Always remember, you're uniqe, just like everybody else! "The one constant through all the years has been the Trombone. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. Its been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again, but the Trombone has marked the time. This field, this section, this band is a part of our past. It reminds us of all that once was good, and could be again. Oh, people will come . . . people will most definitely come."

03-12-2002, 10:23 PM	#16
Starr Polish Elf Lord Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Slow down and I sail on the river, slow down and I walk to the hill Posts: 2,389	Latin would be cool to learn. Languages I want to learn or am learning: Quenya Spanish Latin Gaelic Italian Japanese (my stepbrother is learning it currently) __________________ “The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts.” –Bertrand Russell

03-12-2002, 11:59 PM	#17
Nariel Starfire Elven Warrior Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: La La Land Posts: 309	I'm learning Swahili, and I'm workig on Elvish (I do speak German and english fluently, and almost spanish fluently) __________________ It is the failed skydiver who leaves an impression upon the earth. "But what about the R.O.U.Ses?" Yours Truly, The Tisroc -You forgot to say "May he live forever" -That's because I don't want him to live forever! - The Horse and his Boy--C.S. Lewis

03-13-2002, 03:56 PM	#18
sun-star Lady of Letters Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Either Oxford or Kent, England Posts: 2,476	I am very jealous of Tolkien for all the languages he knew, especially Old English. How would you go about learning that, by the way? __________________ And all the time the waves, the waves, the waves Chase, intersect and flatten on the sand As they have done for centuries, as they will For centuries to come, when not a soul Is left to picnic on the blazing rocks, When England is not England, when mankind Has blown himself to pieces. Still the sea, Consolingly disastrous, will return While the strange starfish, hugely magnified, Waits in the jewelled basin of a pool.

03-13-2002, 04:44 PM	#19
Laurenis Enting Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: England/FL Posts: 85	the only latin sentences ull ever need to know are: canis est in via (an old class favourite...) the dog is in the street oh suspirium meum! oh my heartthrob! meus canis id comedit... my dog ate it (see American Pie!) te omnes puellae amant!! all the girls love you! radikitus comes! rad man! oh another one we actually learnt today...: tibi moriendum est!!! YOU MUST DIE!!! (yeh evil i know!) so yeh they're the best latin phrases but i mean these days during the lessons we hardly learn anything. we just spend the whole 45 minutes taking the p!ss out of our stupid teacher. shes a mad old woman, with words best describing her being: antiqua (old) caudex (idiot) crudelis (cruel/evil) ebria (drunk [not really lol]) harupsex (soothsayer haha) immemor (forgetful) infesta (hostile) insana (mad) obstinata (stubborn) perfida (treacherous) squalida (covered in dirt) so yeh ok shes not really that bad but still its quite funny. im starting to ramble on now. ill stop __________________ 'Therefore he willed that the hearts of Men should seek beyond the world and should find no rest therein; but they should have a virtue to shape their life, amid the powers and chances of the world, beyond the Music of the Ainur, which is as fate to all things else; and of their operation everything should be, in form and deed, completed, and the world fulfilled unto the last and smallest.'

03-13-2002, 06:39 PM	#20
Pippin Skywalker Enting Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 93	Sunstar- There are a few good books to be had that teach Old English (or Anglo-Saxon, another name for the language). One is "An Invitation To Old English & Anglo-Saxon England" By Bruce Mitchell. Another by the same guy is "A Guide To Old English." I have both of these as well as a Dictionary of Old English (Not exact title). Look for these books on Amazon...I know for sure one of the Bruce Mitchell ones is there. All the best! Old English is a Germanic language. Other major influences on it are Latin, Scandinavian and Norman. There are a dozen or so more languages that give small contributions to it. Weird Language of the Day: Gaulish. Spoken by the Gauls. Supposedly these people were early Frenchman I think. If you ask me it sound like monsters, lol. __________________ Gimli: I'm Short! I'm Bad! I'm King of Khazaad! Note: That was not an actual quote from J.R.R. Tolkien's novel!

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