tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11955271.post5219587755247408780..comments2024-03-08T01:48:00.413-08:00Comments on Austin to Africa, Brasil to the Bay: Safe Jobs and an Incredible MindAli Ambrosiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00521627345210424042noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11955271.post-4631705137225897612008-01-28T01:49:00.000-08:002008-01-28T01:49:00.000-08:00A great example of the power of the mind that we c...A great example of the power of the mind that we can't quite control.deedeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10278468497564430383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11955271.post-49417166299106140232008-01-28T01:45:00.000-08:002008-01-28T01:45:00.000-08:00~Anel - Well, I definitely understood the jist of ...~Anel - Well, I definitely understood the jist of it!! Thanks for the translation.Ali Ambrosiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00521627345210424042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11955271.post-65983855739568509742008-01-28T01:42:00.000-08:002008-01-28T01:42:00.000-08:00Hi Ali,Verstaan jy wat ek hier skryf? Do you under...Hi Ali,<BR/><BR/>Verstaan jy wat ek hier skryf? <BR/>Do you understand what I am writting here?<BR/>Dis baie cool dat jy Afrikaans leer. <BR/>It is very cool that you are learning Afrikaans.<BR/>Dis rerig nie moeilik nie!<BR/>Its really not difficult!<BR/><BR/>Baai<BR/>AnelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11955271.post-35071765978168222942008-01-28T01:16:00.000-08:002008-01-28T01:16:00.000-08:00~Anel - Okay, here is my attempt without consultin...~Anel - Okay, here is my attempt without consulting a translator, dictionary or any of my colleagues:<BR/><BR/>Literally:<BR/><BR/>"Understand you what is here written? It's very cool that you Afrikaans read. It is ?? no ?? no!"<BR/><BR/>Okay, the last bit of what you wrote I didn't quite get...but I think I'm pretty close on the rest. <BR/><BR/>So to answer, yes, I do understand what you've written, more or less!!<BR/><BR/>Now, could you please translate??<BR/><BR/>:))Ali Ambrosiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00521627345210424042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11955271.post-76330912593333106532008-01-28T01:13:00.000-08:002008-01-28T01:13:00.000-08:00~Linda - Keep at it, immerse yourself in the langu...~Linda - Keep at it, immerse yourself in the language. Listen to TV and music in French as much as possible. Put up post-it notes around your house with names of objects. Conjugate the most difficult verbs on a sheet of paper and put it on the wall next to your bed. These are all the ways I helped myself learn Portuguese. Good luck!!!<BR/><BR/>~Judy in KY - Thanks, I am glad their jobs are safe as well, though there have been some new developments this week that have left me a bit sad. Nothing serious, though...<BR/><BR/>~Mike Hu - Absolutely! This reminds me of one summer when I was 17, I went to stay with a friend's family in Athens. His parents spoke no English (or any other language I speak), only Greek and German (they'd lived in Germany for 10 years). I'd spend each day with my friend's mom while he was away at work. She and I would walk around the city, run errands, go to church, cook meals - and talk nonstop the entire time. She would speak a mix of Greek and German, and somehow, miraculously, I could understand enough to follow all of the conversations. I'd reply in a mix of Portuguese, Italian and English and somehow she was also able to get it all! We wanted to communicate, so we managed to make it happen.<BR/><BR/>~Stacie - OMG, Chinese?!? You're in another league, girl!! I'm glad the boys have their jobs still, too; they are a very special part of my life here, no doubt.Ali Ambrosiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00521627345210424042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11955271.post-30045264936080555452008-01-28T01:02:00.000-08:002008-01-28T01:02:00.000-08:00Hi Ali,Verstaan jy wat ek hier skryf? Dis baie coo...Hi Ali,<BR/><BR/>Verstaan jy wat ek hier skryf? Dis baie cool dat jy Afrikaans leer. Dis rerig nie moeilik nie!<BR/><BR/>Baai<BR/>AnelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11955271.post-32116250005065455652008-01-26T16:26:00.000-08:002008-01-26T16:26:00.000-08:00I tried to understand Chinese...never took to it. ...I tried to understand Chinese...never took to it. I even took lessons, but the speaking and understanding are so totally different! <BR/>I am glad the boys are safe for now....they have really meant a lot to all of us, I think...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11955271.post-66899163183201840902008-01-25T12:52:00.000-08:002008-01-25T12:52:00.000-08:00I've often found myself speaking to individuals wh...I've often found myself speaking to individuals whose command of the language (English) was suspect -- but they reacted in a way indicating total comprehension of everything I said -- because I think that the desire and authenticity to communicate, is what is actually communicated -- beyond the words and explanations.<BR/><BR/>I think such communications go beyond the language and what is meant by communing -- which is the simple expression and confidence in another to understand what one means. In a lot of false communications, what is indicated is that one does not have that confidence in the other to understand, and so all manner of deceptions and manipulations can be perpetuated -- which despite the comprehension of the words, communicates no understanding.<BR/><BR/>So learning words, is no indication of anything, especially and particularly, if they are used not to communicate -- which is unfortunately, the language many sophisticated (educated) people now learn. But the genuineness of wanting to communicate with another, says it all.Mike Huhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12013523987628611883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11955271.post-7203897297673977302008-01-25T11:48:00.000-08:002008-01-25T11:48:00.000-08:00I am so glad to hear about safe jobs. I've been c...I am so glad to hear about safe jobs. I've been concerned for those guys. They sounded so sweet,<BR/>getting you those gifts. <BR/>By the way, I love reading about your life... it's fascinating!judy in kyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05810068743975026564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11955271.post-3944331024313984772008-01-25T02:32:00.000-08:002008-01-25T02:32:00.000-08:00The mind is a fabulous thing, isn't it? I'm amazed...The mind is a fabulous thing, isn't it? I'm amazed at some of the things that I hear or read about. Now, if my brain would just help me speak French fluently. It seems sort of stuck.Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07041872314763651462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11955271.post-34369415307413695792008-01-25T01:11:00.000-08:002008-01-25T01:11:00.000-08:00~Francesca - Well, to be fair it's not quite like ...~Francesca - Well, to be fair it's not quite like I spontaneously started understanding Navajo or something. Afrikaans is based on Dutch, which is the closest Germanic language to English, my mother tongue. That's why I can understand some Afrikaans in "real life", but the switch to total comprehension still blew me away. I've certainly not looked at books or grammar; all of what I understand of Afrikaans is from listening to others speak.<BR/><BR/>~Southern Goddess - Yes, language takes a lot of practice. I am good at languages, and even so if I don't keep them up my ability to speak withers away. I grew up being able to speak Italian, and now I am terrible at it because I never practice.Ali Ambrosiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00521627345210424042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11955271.post-995143120046749812008-01-24T07:26:00.000-08:002008-01-24T07:26:00.000-08:00I wish I had an aptitude for another language - or...I wish I had an aptitude for another language - or maybe I do - I'm just too lazy to practice is probably more like it! Thanks for the update on the guys. I'm happy to hear as well that their hard work and work ethic are being recognized, and good job playing inquisitor.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11955271.post-35210086152903022292008-01-24T06:58:00.000-08:002008-01-24T06:58:00.000-08:00I am amazed as well. Mostly because Afrikaans seem...I am amazed as well. Mostly because Afrikaans seems such a different language from those you handle right now!<BR/><BR/>I guess it is out of necessity, though. Your mind is probably language-flexible enough now. Do you think you are learning in the same way you would if left with no books nor translator in a community that speaks an indigenous language?<BR/><BR/>It would be really amazing. Just consider that a friend anthropologist of mine stayed 2 years in the Amazon with an indigenous group. He did not manage to learn their language at all. Just a few words. <BR/><BR/>So you see??? I wish it happened between English and me as well ;)Francescahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11421223034334989645noreply@blogger.com