http://www.utexas.edu/features/2010/01/11/dying_languages/
especially:
QuoteMost linguists agree about 6,000 languages exist in the world today, and in the next century about 90 percent will disappear.
5,400 languages dying, just 599 more to kill. Go English!
I read an interesting article recently about what they called "Globish" - a dumbed-down version of English. Most non-native speakers only know about 1500-2000 words, don't understand idioms etc. That's actually a big problem for the British diplomats at the EU apparently. Everybody there speaks English and understands each other just fine - until the British appear and speak in their much more complicated English that no one gets. ;)
While there are some remarkable languages out there that are on the endangered species list, are "Texas German" and "Texas Czech" really worthy of study?
Send some linguists up here. Yukon has a dozen or so first nations languages, all spoken by very few people, that are at risk of being forgotten to history.
Once White has turned into a brownish shade of sludge, does it really matter what language those freaks of nature will speak?
That's a bit overly critical, Slargos. Whites have a future in Texas, as well as hispanics. It it a successful fusion there- Texas is a multicultural success story, as far as such things exist.
Quote from: Lettow77 on January 11, 2010, 05:05:56 PM
That's a bit overly critical, Slargos. Whites have a future in Texas, as well as hispanics. It it a successful fusion there- Texas is a multicultural success story, as far as such things exist.
Pfft. I give it another 50 years. 100 at the most.
Quote from: Zanza on January 11, 2010, 04:50:02 PM
I read an interesting article recently about what they called "Globish" - a dumbed-down version of English. Most non-native speakers only know about 1500-2000 words, don't understand idioms etc. That's actually a big problem for the British diplomats at the EU apparently. Everybody there speaks English and understands each other just fine - until the British appear and speak in their much more complicated English that no one gets. ;)
They shouldn't feel bad. I can't understand the British either.
Quote from: Slargos on January 11, 2010, 05:03:54 PM
Once White has turned into a brownish shade of sludge, does it really matter what language those freaks of nature will speak?
Yes. Language shapes thought, and English-speaking peoples have the best record of any of expanding the rights of man and furthering technological progress. Just think of how clearly and precisely you can express your thoughts here in English versus the inchoate mess that must pass for an internal monologue in your guttural arctic mother tongue.
Quote from: Grinning_Colossus on January 11, 2010, 05:12:49 PM
Quote from: Slargos on January 11, 2010, 05:03:54 PM
Once White has turned into a brownish shade of sludge, does it really matter what language those freaks of nature will speak?
Yes. Language shapes thought, and English-speaking peoples have the best record of any of expanding the rights of man and furthering technological progress. Just think of how clearly and precisely you can express your thoughts here in English versus the inchoate mess that must pass for an internal monologue in your guttural arctic mother tongue.
:lol:
Precious. :hug:
Quote from: Barrister on January 11, 2010, 04:51:08 PM
While there are some remarkable languages out there that are on the endangered species list, are "Texas German" and "Texas Czech" really worthy of study?
Send some linguists up here. Yukon has a dozen or so first nations languages, all spoken by very few people, that are at risk of being forgotten to history.
Fuck the Injuns.
A
Quote from: Ed Anger on January 11, 2010, 05:40:27 PM
Quote from: Barrister on January 11, 2010, 04:51:08 PM
While there are some remarkable languages out there that are on the endangered species list, are "Texas German" and "Texas Czech" really worthy of study?
Send some linguists up here. Yukon has a dozen or so first nations languages, all spoken by very few people, that are at risk of being forgotten to history.
Fuck the Injuns.
Are they HOTT?
Quote from: dps on January 11, 2010, 06:39:17 PM
AQuote from: Ed Anger on January 11, 2010, 05:40:27 PM
Quote from: Barrister on January 11, 2010, 04:51:08 PM
While there are some remarkable languages out there that are on the endangered species list, are "Texas German" and "Texas Czech" really worthy of study?
Send some linguists up here. Yukon has a dozen or so first nations languages, all spoken by very few people, that are at risk of being forgotten to history.
Fuck the Injuns.
Are they HOTT?
Some are. :perv:
Quote from: Barrister on January 11, 2010, 04:51:08 PM
While there are some remarkable languages out there that are on the endangered species list, are "Texas German" and "Texas Czech" really worthy of study?
Send some linguists up here. Yukon has a dozen or so first nations languages, all spoken by very few people, that are at risk of being forgotten to history.
Maybe linguists would rather study Texas German in the US instead of first nation languages in the yukon.
Quote from: Zanza on January 11, 2010, 04:50:02 PM
I read an interesting article recently about what they called "Globish" - a dumbed-down version of English. Most non-native speakers only know about 1500-2000 words, don't understand idioms etc.
Sounds like the "Special English" that the Voice of America uses.
http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/about_special_english.cfm
I am concerned about the near extinction of Breton and Cornish. The rest can be fucked for all Mb cares.
Quote from: Lettow77 on January 11, 2010, 05:05:56 PM
That's a bit overly critical, Slargos. Whites have a future in Texas, as well as hispanics. It it a successful fusion there- Texas is a multicultural success story, as far as such things exist.
Like hell. Texas is a Yugo-Slavia waiting to happen.
The chick in Black Robe who hooked up with the Frenchy was pretty cute.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on January 11, 2010, 07:48:49 PM
The chick in Black Robe who hooked up with the Frenchy was pretty cute.
She isn't injun :nerd:
Quote from: Barrister on January 11, 2010, 06:56:13 PM
Quote from: dps on January 11, 2010, 06:39:17 PM
AQuote from: Ed Anger on January 11, 2010, 05:40:27 PM
Quote from: Barrister on January 11, 2010, 04:51:08 PM
While there are some remarkable languages out there that are on the endangered species list, are "Texas German" and "Texas Czech" really worthy of study?
Send some linguists up here. Yukon has a dozen or so first nations languages, all spoken by very few people, that are at risk of being forgotten to history.
Fuck the Injuns.
Are they HOTT?
Some are. :perv:
Show me the next time I pass through. ;)
Quote from: Tonitrus on January 11, 2010, 08:12:55 PM
Show me the next time I pass through. ;)
Remember that his qualifications for attractiveness are identical to Caliga's.
Quote from: Neil on January 11, 2010, 08:25:51 PM
Remember that his qualifications for attractiveness are identical to Caliga's.
:lol: How long ago was it that Beeb posted those pics of CRAZY HOT BABES OF THE YUKON?
Quote from: Darth Wagtaros on January 11, 2010, 07:21:17 PM
I am concerned about the near extinction of Breton and Cornish. The rest can be fucked for all Mb cares.
Cornish has been extinct since the 18th century or so. It's anybody's guess how many people still speak Breton, since there are no language stats for France that have any real claim to accuracy.
Quote from: Neil on January 11, 2010, 08:25:51 PM
Quote from: Tonitrus on January 11, 2010, 08:12:55 PM
Show me the next time I pass through. ;)
Remember that his qualifications for attractiveness are identical to Caliga's.
Well, from the first time through, I still remember the red-headed hottie who stopped me for some ongoing road-construction work somewhere between Whithorse and the border. :wub:
Quote from: Admiral Yi on January 11, 2010, 08:34:56 PM
Quote from: Neil on January 11, 2010, 08:25:51 PM
Remember that his qualifications for attractiveness are identical to Caliga's.
:lol: How long ago was it that Beeb posted those pics of CRAZY HOT BABES OF THE YUKON?
Oh? :perv:
I remember him trying a Albertan hott chicks, but nary a Yukon one.
Quote from: katmai on January 11, 2010, 10:11:21 PM
I remember him trying a Albertan hott chicks, but nary a Yukon one.
That's the ticket. :homestar:
Quote from: Zanza on January 11, 2010, 04:50:02 PM
I read an interesting article recently about what they called "Globish" - a dumbed-down version of English. Most non-native speakers only know about 1500-2000 words, don't understand idioms etc. That's actually a big problem for the British diplomats at the EU apparently. Everybody there speaks English and understands each other just fine - until the British appear and speak in their much more complicated English that no one gets. ;)
I'm always being told by foreigners that they find it much easier to understand each other than natives.
I've heard this too about 2000 words and in my language learning have tried to get those 2000 words in, it doesn't quite work out though when everyone else uses more appropriate, more complicated words.
Quote from: dps on January 11, 2010, 08:38:06 PM
Quote from: Darth Wagtaros on January 11, 2010, 07:21:17 PM
I am concerned about the near extinction of Breton and Cornish. The rest can be fucked for all Mb cares.
Cornish has been extinct since the 18th century or so. It's anybody's guess how many people still speak Breton, since there are no language stats for France that have any real claim to accuracy.
Regional languages are not opposed anymore in France (part of the French cultural legacy according to the Constitution nowadays) so an often seen figure of 200.000 speakers makes sense, even if estimates range between 6,000 and 350,000 :P
How DARE you people be so dismissive of Texas Sorbian! :mad:
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on January 12, 2010, 08:38:23 AM
Regional languages are not opposed anymore in France (part of the French cultural legacy according to the Constitution nowadays) so an often seen figure of 200.000 speakers makes sense.
In what sense are they speakers? From what I understood in my time in France Provencal was a bit of joke. Nobody knew a word yet all the signs were required to be in both French and Provencal for some sort of misguided cultural reason.
Quote from: Caliga on January 12, 2010, 08:39:18 AM
How DARE you people be so dismissive of Texas Sorbian! :mad:
Who'd have thought there's such a thing: awesome!
Quote from: Valmy on January 12, 2010, 08:47:19 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on January 12, 2010, 08:38:23 AM
Regional languages are not opposed anymore in France (part of the French cultural legacy according to the Constitution nowadays) so an often seen figure of 200.000 speakers makes sense.
In what sense are they speakers? From what I understood in my time in France Provencal was a bit of joke. Nobody knew a word yet all the signs were required to be in both French and Provencal for some sort of misguided cultural reason.
Speaking and understanding the above mentioned language ;) that does not mean they only speak Breton. Nearly all are bilingual.
Only West Brittany btw, has Breton speakers.
As for Provençal or Occitan, its situation is much worse than Breton (no Diwan schools for Provençal). Alsatian used to be pretty strong but the youth seems to lose it for instance.
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on January 12, 2010, 08:38:23 AM
Quote from: dps on January 11, 2010, 08:38:06 PM
Quote from: Darth Wagtaros on January 11, 2010, 07:21:17 PM
I am concerned about the near extinction of Breton and Cornish. The rest can be fucked for all Mb cares.
Cornish has been extinct since the 18th century or so. It's anybody's guess how many people still speak Breton, since there are no language stats for France that have any real claim to accuracy.
Regional languages are not opposed anymore in France (part of the French cultural legacy according to the Constitution nowadays) so an often seen figure of 200.000 speakers makes sense, even if estimates range between 6,000 and 350,000 :P
When I go to France I always try speaking German first.. the Frenchies seem to learn english pretty quickly when I do that.
Quote from: syk on January 12, 2010, 09:28:31 AM
Who'd have thought there's such a thing: awesome!
In Texas Europeans would immigrate here and set up their own autonomous communities where English speaking was virtually unheard of for generations. It gets weirder because most of these communities were set up after revolutions in the 1830s and 1840s (particularly 1848 obviously) and stayed in a kind of cultural and linguistic limbo cut off from the rest of the world for 80 years or so.
Quote from: Valmy on January 12, 2010, 09:47:55 AM
Quote from: syk on January 12, 2010, 09:28:31 AM
Who'd have thought there's such a thing: awesome!
In Texas Europeans would immigrate here and set up their own autonomous communities where English speaking was virtually unheard of for generations. It gets weirder because most of these communities were set up after revolutions in the 1830s and 1840s (particularly 1848 obviously) and stayed in a kind of cultural and linguistic limbo cut off from the rest of the world for 80 years or so.
Nice to have these cultural time machines. The DDR preserved Sorbian culture an language in Lusatia after the Reich tried to eradicate it. They have their own schools, bilingual signs and whatnot. Stumbled upon it years ago when I had to take a two weeks course in that area for my civilian service.
I'm sort of a fan because Sorbian is the closest living relative of the eradicated language "my tribe" spoke (dravaenopolabic).
Quote from: syk on January 12, 2010, 09:28:31 AM
Quote from: Caliga on January 12, 2010, 08:39:18 AM
How DARE you people be so dismissive of Texas Sorbian! :mad:
Who'd have thought there's such a thing: awesome!
Yep, no joke. :cool: IIRC the Texas Sorbian settlement area is centered on a town called (unsurprisingly) Brandenburg, Texas.
I know about 1,200-1,500 words of English.
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on January 12, 2010, 08:38:23 AM
Regional languages are not opposed anymore in France (part of the French cultural legacy according to the Constitution nowadays) so an often seen figure of 200.000 speakers makes sense, even if estimates range between 6,000 and 350,000 :P
I highly doubt there are 200K fluent Breton speakers. 200K that can utter at least a few words, fine (I know about 20 words in Breton :p), but the vast majority of those 200K would be people who can say hello, goodbye and thank you
Kevin
Quote from: The Brain on January 12, 2010, 12:00:04 PM
I know about 1,200-1,500 words of English.
How uncouth.
Time for this one... :P
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.ebaumsworld.com%2Fpicture%2Fstar4ucker%2Fpronunciation.jpg&hash=01850c6487a75c28809655305c1cef16f464a31b)
Quote from: Valmy on January 12, 2010, 09:47:55 AM
Quote from: syk on January 12, 2010, 09:28:31 AM
Who'd have thought there's such a thing: awesome!
In Texas Europeans would immigrate here and set up their own autonomous communities where English speaking was virtually unheard of for generations. It gets weirder because most of these communities were set up after revolutions in the 1830s and 1840s (particularly 1848 obviously) and stayed in a kind of cultural and linguistic limbo cut off from the rest of the world for 80 years or so.
That was normal throughout the rural US well into the 20th Century - My maternal Grandfather first heard English as a 5 year old, even though he was born in Minnesota. His family was Norwegian, and the neighboring farms were Swedish and German. He said he just thought that they spoke weird Norwegian.
Quote from: AnchorClanker on January 12, 2010, 04:10:41 PM
That was normal throughout the rural US well into the 20th Century - My maternal Grandfather first heard English as a 5 year old, even though he was born in Minnesota. His family was Norwegian, and the neighboring farms were Swedish and German. He said he just thought that they spoke weird Norwegian.
Canada too. Lots of small rural towns were the old folk (very few of the younger generation however) speak French, German and Ukrainian in particular as first languages. My wife's grandmother speaks polish for example (not sure if it was her first language though).
That's how it rolls. It wasn't that long ago that you could call Cincinnati, St. Louis and Milwaukee "German" towns, etc.
It's a fun and interesting part of history - the waves of immigrants, where they settled, assimilation issues, usw.
Quote from: AnchorClanker on January 12, 2010, 05:14:49 PM
That's how it rolls. It wasn't that long ago that you could call Cincinnati, St. Louis and Milwaukee "German" towns, etc.
It's a fun and interesting part of history - the waves of immigrants, where they settled, assimilation issues, usw.
Hey Spanky, I mentioned it the other day when you weren't around. Do you know how the locals pronounce Milwaukee?
I sure don't. The only relatives I have in Wisconsin are in LaCrosse.
Quote from: AnchorClanker on January 12, 2010, 05:31:14 PM
I sure don't. The only relatives I have in Wisconsin are in LaCrosse.
I quite liked LaCrosse Wisconsin. :)
Quote from: AnchorClanker on January 12, 2010, 04:10:41 PM
Quote from: Valmy on January 12, 2010, 09:47:55 AM
Quote from: syk on January 12, 2010, 09:28:31 AM
Who'd have thought there's such a thing: awesome!
In Texas Europeans would immigrate here and set up their own autonomous communities where English speaking was virtually unheard of for generations. It gets weirder because most of these communities were set up after revolutions in the 1830s and 1840s (particularly 1848 obviously) and stayed in a kind of cultural and linguistic limbo cut off from the rest of the world for 80 years or so.
That was normal throughout the rural US well into the 20th Century - My maternal Grandfather first heard English as a 5 year old, even though he was born in Minnesota. His family was Norwegian, and the neighboring farms were Swedish and German. He said he just thought that they spoke weird Norwegian.
Robert MacNeil was on a radio talkshow a few years ago promoting a book he had written on language in America, and a listener called in and was talking about how in his hometown in Minnesota in his father's time instruction in the local primary schools was in Norwegian. He didn't say when his father was in primary school, but the caller didn't sound particularly old, and I got the impression that it was in the 1920's or maybe even later.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on January 12, 2010, 05:27:51 PM
Hey Spanky, I mentioned it the other day when you weren't around. Do you know how the locals pronounce Milwaukee?
:huh: I've been to Milwaukee, and a former admin of mine was from Milwaukee. In both cases the pronunciation was the same as everyone not from there seems to say it (mill-WAW-kee).
Quote from: dps on January 12, 2010, 05:47:53 PM
Robert MacNeil was on a radio talkshow a few years ago promoting a book he had written on language in America, and a listener called in and was talking about how in his hometown in Minnesota in his father's time instruction in the local primary schools was in Norwegian. He didn't say when his father was in primary school, but the caller didn't sound particularly old, and I got the impression that it was in the 1920's or maybe even later.
I'm pretty sure I've mentioned this on Languish before, but my dad's generation was the first one where the primary spoken language at home was English instead of German.
Quote from: Caliga on January 12, 2010, 06:17:47 PM
:huh: I've been to Milwaukee, and a former admin of mine was from Milwaukee. In both cases the pronunciation was the same as everyone not from there seems to say it (mill-WAW-kee).
I heard a little old lady at a Hampton Inn in Illinois pronounce it Mwakee.
That's good enough for me. :moon:
So like all slurred together, you mean? The admin was black and otherwise spoke fluent Ebonics, so one would think she'd be into the slurring bit too if it was part of the local dialect.
Oh, before she moved down here she worked with Jeffrey Dahmer. True story. He used to bum cigarettes off her all the time.
Quote from: The Brain on January 12, 2010, 12:00:04 PM
I know about 1,200-1,500 words of English.
I never knew you were so humble :lol:
Quote from: Eochaid on January 12, 2010, 02:10:07 PM
I highly doubt there are 200K fluent Breton speakers. 200K that can utter at least a few words, fine (I know about 20 words in Breton :p), but the vast majority of those 200K would be people who can say hello, goodbye and thank you
Kevin
200 K of (old? and Diwan schoolers) people clinging to Breton does not seem far fetched. I didn't say they were fluent ;)
In my experience, British dialects only exist to insult the English, and therefore should be barred.
Quote from: DisturbedPervert on January 11, 2010, 05:09:44 PM
Quote from: Zanza on January 11, 2010, 04:50:02 PM
I read an interesting article recently about what they called "Globish" - a dumbed-down version of English. Most non-native speakers only know about 1500-2000 words, don't understand idioms etc. That's actually a big problem for the British diplomats at the EU apparently. Everybody there speaks English and understands each other just fine - until the British appear and speak in their much more complicated English that no one gets. ;)
They shouldn't feel bad. I can't understand the British either.
The British speak English?? ;)
The last Wichita speaker has passed. :weep:
http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2016/10/06/doris-mclemore-last-fluent-wichita-speaker-walks-165974
How many Texas Czechs are left?
Holy resurrection badman! :lol:
Quote from: Grinning_Colossus on October 08, 2016, 01:20:17 AM
How many Texas Czechs are left?
Depends on what you mean. If by Texas Czech speakers very few, probably about ten thousand. If Texans of Czech ancestry then tons, probably about a quarter million or so.
One of my co-workers is of mixed Texas German and Czech ancestry.
There was an interesting article about how they used proper Comanche for the injun warrior character in the new Magnificent Seven movie.
Quote from: Zanza on January 11, 2010, 04:50:02 PM
I read an interesting article recently about what they called "Globish" - a dumbed-down version of English. Most non-native speakers only know about 1500-2000 words, don't understand idioms etc. That's actually a big problem for the British diplomats at the EU apparently. Everybody there speaks English and understands each other just fine - until the British appear and speak in their much more complicated English that no one gets. ;)
I notice you didn't mention any problem speaking with Americans. :(