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Learning a Language in the Digital Age

UmmRa points out his discussion of four flash-card programs for language learning, excerpting "As someone who has learned three dead languages in the past six years (Latin, Egyptian, and Akkadian) I have had my share of experience with language software....If there is one thing I have learned from the experience, it is that no program is a panacea. Until we all have Matrix-esque jacks at the base of our skulls, learning a language will be a process that requires some amount of work and time. However that does not mean there isn't cheap (or free!) software out there to greatly simplify the process." None of the program compared are free (or Free), though two are shareware; two of them are for Windows only, one is Mac-only, and the other is "Java based, so it can operate on any platform." Update: 03/21 02:34 GMT by T : The actual link got dropped -- my fault -- in editing this post; now fixed.

16 of 450 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Egyptian? by Stile+65 · · Score: 4, Funny

    I would, but I don't speak Arabic.

    --
    I claim first use of "Error No. 0B" - or "No. 0B error." It'll be the new ID 10T!
  2. Microsoft.com by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Learn 313375P34K

    1. Re:Microsoft.com by Bootard · · Score: 3, Funny

      Nothing to say except that is the most brilliant thing I've ever seen in my life. That is all.

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      exceptio probat regulam in casibus non exceptis
    2. Re:Microsoft.com by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      you are teh suck micro$oft omfg linix is teh cool! it pwns j00 n00b ass

  3. Re:Not free? Not for me. by nmoog · · Score: 4, Funny

    Was it difficult to learn? The language barrier is the only thing that has stopped me travelling to phpedia.

  4. Pascal and Other Dead Languages I know by zapatero · · Score: 5, Funny


    Dead Languages I was once fluent with:

    Pascal
    Paradox
    DB-III
    68000 Assembly
    Countless Application specific scripting languages and APIs

  5. Re:maybe by momerath2003 · · Score: 1, Funny

    None of the program compared are free

    should be None of the programs compared is free

    --
    I had but a simple dream, to destroy all humans.
  6. Re:Forgot something by boarder8925 · · Score: 5, Funny
    URL please?
    Here you go:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptian_language
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akkadian_language

    But as for the comparison and programs, you're on your own. This is Slashdot. "News for Nerds." Nerds are supposed to have all the answers, right? ;)
  7. Best thing about learning a dead language? by FunWithHeadlines · · Score: 4, Funny
    Nobody can prove you didn't!

    "Why yes, I do know Akkadian. Listen to this: xlsdke didue sdkfjhds dudys dk,d! I just said may your ancestors live a thousand years, thus confusing your family reunions no end. Prove I didn't just say it."

  8. The original, nonsensical post by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny
    Posted by timothy on Sunday March 20, @09:07PM

    from the my-excuse-is-laziness dept.

    UmmRa points out his discusses of four flash-card programs for language learning, excerpting "As someone who has learned three dead languages in the past six years (Latin, Egyptian, and Akkadian) I have had my share of experience with language software....If there is one thing I have learned from the experience, it is that no program is a panacea. Until we all have Matrix-esque jacks at the base of our skulls, learning a language will be a process that requires some amount of work and time. However that does not mean there isn't cheap (or free!) software out there to greatly simplify the process." None of the program compared are free (or Free), though two are shareware; two of them are for Windows only, one is Mac-only, and the other is "Java based, so it can operate on any platform."

    ---

    I think we've all been duped. This isn't a crappily edited post. It's actually an ironic post! Didn't you notice? It's from the my-excuse-is-laziness dept.!! What a clever joke! lol@our expense!!!

    PS - "points out his discusses"!!!

  9. Re:maybe by Chmarr · · Score: 2, Funny

    Ah, no, when describing a lack of options, you still use the plural sense. Viz:

    I have no oranges.
    I have one orange.
    I have two oranges.
    All your oranges are belong to us.

  10. Re:a little too bold isn't it? by jbarket · · Score: 2, Funny

    In that case, this must be your second or third year learning English.

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    jonathan barket
  11. Ahhahahahha.... Re:Microsoft.com by templest · · Score: 5, Funny

    Sprite through the nose... ahaha...
    /me Wishes he could mod you up.

    It's hillarious, words cannot describe the pain of laughter I recieve from seeing such a professionally made website describing "leet speak"... and being so incredibly serious about it. :-D

    --
    I'm a signature virus. Please copy me to your signature so I can replicate.
  12. Re:maybe by Geoffreyerffoeg · · Score: 5, Funny

    All your oranges are belong to us.

    No, no, all your orange are belong to us!

    Take off every "S"! For great grammar!

  13. Re:There's no magic way to learn a language by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    how often do you say "ermine", "demarcation" or "orbital insertion" in conversation?

    That depends on who I'm talking to.

  14. Re:Random Latin/English sentences by rigorist · · Score: 2, Funny

    Why are these all strangely homoerotic?