From: "Amy McConeghy" <inflatedimpressions@prodigy.net>
To: <balloon@balloonhq.com>
Subject: language
Date: Sun, 12 Aug 2001 08:09:46 -0700

Hi,Guten Tag, Hola, Bona Cera, Bon Jour,


          Tim McConeghy, Lord Of Latex. Thank you to Magic George for the
lists of words. The only addition or possible correction I can offer is
Luftballoon for the german form of balloon. That is not to say you are
wrong. We should all understand that other languages often have male and
female meanings for words as well as situation specific or preferable words
that one can only understand through immersion or active participation in
that language.
          A private e-mail asked what is the best way to learn a new
language. Well George already showed us. Choose a list of words and phrases
that you feel you will need and use a language to language dictionary to
find the translation. High school spanish taught Hello, How are you, Where
is the bathroom, and other important phrases as well as the appropriate
responses. Do the same thing but choose the questions that you want to ask
and the answers you expect to hear.
          A dictionary of the language should be first priority. Second, I
recommend a lesson book to help with setence structure and conjugation. No,
you don't need to know preterites, future perfects, and imperfects. Just the
proper way of saying the verb and positioning the adjective. Example: in
spanish the descriptive follows the noun so a brown bear is a bear brown or
un oso(bear) cafe(brown). Thirdly, cassettes are available at your library
that will help you with perfecting your accent and pronunciation.
          Once you memorize your list and remember to file all those words
together in your head you will be ready to add more.
          Sandi made a great point. It is very easy to start using your
second language with yoyur first langusge. This will serve to confuse
everyone around you. It is good to have that level of familiarity  so that
the other language is not a struggle but try oranize your mental storage to
keep them apart during conversation.



Do you want a balloon? English
Prendre vous eu Ballon? French   (Prawn-dray voo oo bal-lawng)
Piacere un paloncino?  Italian   (Pee-a-tsair-ay oon pal-own-tseen-o)
Gern haber sie ein luftballoon? German (Gern ha-br see ine loof-ba-lun)
Queres tu un globo?  spanish      (kee-yeah-race two oon glow-bo)
          una bomba?                                 (oo-nu boem-bu)
Globo is literally a ball and bomba is literally a bomb. Which leads us to
the explanation of situation specific meanings. There is a vastly different
meaning to these two questions.

Would you like a spoon?
Would you like to spoon?

While my wife prefers the second question many of you will (with the
exception of Jimmy Leos)prefer the first question. Therefore, the final step
to learning is to use your new language and accept correction gracefully and
willingly. To that end I ask whole heartedly for corrections to my proffered
translations especially the italian (would desiderare be more appropriate
than piacere?)Let's face it if we don't continue to learn , how can we claim
to be the best twisters in our socks. (Next word I'm going to learn)

Tim McConeghy CBA
Inflated Impressions LLC
Tempe, Az