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I do that because I make some money from translations, so I have to "know" at least one other, no? Larry Send a noteboard - 24/06/2011 03:41:24 AM
I've heard people say that you should only list a language that you could have a moderate-level conversation in without problems. By that standard, my French and German are bad because although I could understand what was being said, responding would take some effort. Of course, if I went over there for a while I'm sure it would pick up quickly - when I went to Barcelona about 10 years ago my Spanish came back quickly and I was talking to everyone with no problems.

Of course, with a dead language that is, not surprisingly, the major way to measure proficiency.

Based on your criteria, though, I could list a lot more languages.


That's what would happen with my Caribbean-tinged Spanish: It wouldn't take very long for me to carry long a long spoken conversation. I can converse online in Spanish without much difficulty, but I don't claim full fluency simply because my spoken Spanish (and Portuguese) is so rusty that I'd struggle mightily for a while. But I will note it's more a matter of forgetting the words rather than forgetting the syntax.

I could have added Latin, but I rarely read in it these days, but the Vulgate is so simple that it's like reading a children's book compared to Cicero or Catullus.
Illusions fall like the husk of a fruit, one after another, and the fruit is experience. - Narrator, Sylvie

Je suis méchant.
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/Simple Question: at what point do you tell people you "know" a language or "speak" it? Tom - 24/06/2011 02:49:51 AM 813 Views
Here's what I tell various people Larry - 24/06/2011 03:09:45 AM 610 Views
It's interesting that you focus on the literary side Tom - 24/06/2011 03:29:36 AM 574 Views
I do that because I make some money from translations, so I have to "know" at least one other, no? Larry - 24/06/2011 03:41:24 AM 595 Views
Interesting Praziquantel - 24/06/2011 10:23:04 PM 578 Views
I thought the same ironclad - 24/06/2011 10:29:03 PM 1034 Views
Not sure but I am almost there with English *NM* random thoughts - 24/06/2011 03:52:30 AM 246 Views
neat question. temeraire - 24/06/2011 06:36:09 AM 577 Views
I'd say it depends on the purpose... jh - 24/06/2011 10:04:48 AM 731 Views
I agree that it varies on why you're being asked ironclad - 24/06/2011 10:45:02 AM 671 Views
temeraire - 24/06/2011 09:01:42 PM 526 Views
I tend to give a long speech Camilla - 24/06/2011 11:02:22 AM 589 Views
Re: /Simple Question: at what point do you tell people you "know" a language or "speak" it? Stephen - 24/06/2011 01:21:52 PM 601 Views
Agree with jh nossy - 24/06/2011 02:19:21 PM 597 Views
I think if you would be able to make not just basic needs known... globug0822 - 24/06/2011 04:58:05 PM 588 Views
check noteboard *NM* Deadsy - 25/06/2011 04:38:48 PM 316 Views
Very good question. Legolas - 24/06/2011 08:22:47 PM 646 Views
I had a feeling you might enjoy the survey. Tom - 24/06/2011 10:50:47 PM 495 Views
What can I say, I'm predictable? Legolas - 25/06/2011 01:00:49 AM 580 Views
Two words: constant practice Tom - 25/06/2011 02:34:52 AM 634 Views
True. Legolas - 25/06/2011 04:13:06 PM 591 Views
"Sank beneath the the waves of the Lethe" is an incredible phrase. *NM* Ghavrel - 26/06/2011 06:01:00 AM 250 Views
Glad you enjoyed it! *NM* Tom - 26/06/2011 05:08:49 PM 249 Views
If you have at least an elementary school understanding of the language Praziquantel - 24/06/2011 10:19:45 PM 567 Views
My own survey answers Tom - 24/06/2011 11:07:12 PM 601 Views
Funny how your taste in languages still to learn parallels mine to a great extent. Legolas - 25/06/2011 01:04:36 AM 554 Views
Yeah, and I realized that last list should include Farsi and Arabic. Tom - 25/06/2011 02:24:06 AM 541 Views
Oh, and Hawaiian. I have about seven books on Hawaiian. All bought in Hawaii, of course. *NM* Tom - 25/06/2011 02:35:43 AM 234 Views
I suppose Farsi must be easier than Arabic. Legolas - 26/06/2011 11:18:23 AM 594 Views
Yes and no. Tom - 26/06/2011 05:08:29 PM 1645 Views
Interesting. Makes sense, I guess. Legolas - 26/06/2011 05:49:25 PM 586 Views
The timing of your question makes me giggle. Jedi Wolf Sister - 26/06/2011 04:05:07 AM 656 Views
Re: /Simple Question: at what point do you tell people you "know" a language or "speak" it? Vivien - 29/06/2011 11:25:42 PM 705 Views
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