My first post here.... This looks like the right spot for it if I am doing this right.... I am new to this forum.. I am half Croat and want to learn
the language at 43 years old.
To get help, a whole lot depends on what you mean/define by "learn Croatian" - or any language for that matter.
For example, you may have an excellent ear for the sounds, and be able to differentiate between what to most non-native speakers are the same sounds. And you may be able to articulate these sounds yourself. This may well be important to you, and earn you much praise from the locals.
Or you may not be able to pick up these sound difference, nor pronounce them - yet you could become fluent with, what to a native speaker, is abominable vowel sounds - but you don't care because you don't feel it's a problem.
But I assume you mean something like "be able to speak a bit in the pub and understand a bit about what the locals are saying, even if my own speech is awful - or awfully funny - from a grammar point of view." ?
It's also important to be realistic. Do you speak a second language already? That will help you to realise some of the complexities/limitations of English (assuming that is your first language) - which will give you a better basis for understanding how a third language tackles the same issues.
If you are living in the country of your target language, or regularly mixing with natives, you will get regular stimulation/reminders of at least the commonly used words and phrases. Without this, learning a language is much, much harder.
[/quote] I have been watching ESL's on youtube talk about the most efficient ways to learn a new language and a lot of [/p]
people say to watch a movie that you know well in English that has been dubbed in the language with subtitles in that language. That makes sense
to me.
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While I would say that individuals each have their own special strategies and brains for picking up languages, I would say the above method would be one of the most inefficient single ways I could imagine to try to learn a language.
What I think it may do is seduce you into thinking you are learning the tongue - you will pick up a few words over time, and doing this will remind you passively of words and phrases you have encountered elsewhere, but in terms of actually identifying and actively learning new language, I'd say it's a near total waste of time.
[/quote] So for instance in my case I have seen Breakfast Club or Braveheart or Forrest Gump etc.. enough that I might probably be able to pick things up watching it dubbed with the subtitles... I think they say that a good movie runs thousands words or so... [/p][/quote]
And choosing films like the above, which have about the worst fit imaginable between the two cultures, would be an even bigger waste of time, IMO.
Far better to watch Croatian films or TV, or listen to/study songs - IN CONJUNCTION WITH more active methods of learning.
The problem with all these above 'methods' (watching films, TV, listening to music) is that they are passive. You only really learn a language when you seek to use it actively, meaning you plumb the depths of your brain for the word because you need it to convey a meaning that you personally want to convey. This is what "roots" a word/phrase/language into your brain.
So, to learn a language efficiently, you need to be in an environment which, ultimately, provides this situation. Good language schools, with structured lessons, seek to do exactly this, albeit in a somewhat contrived way.
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Addendum....
Also is there any good textbooks out there for Croatian? Most books are designed for a traveler....which are all confusing for grammar IMO.. Take Spanish for instance.... It is easy to find a book that explains verbs like I am walking, I walked, I will walk, and then with Croatian the rules seems to be even harder....
Any help is really appreciated...
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Phrase books, 'designed' for tourists, are usually pretty useless in themselves. Some are a useful start to explaining grammar and other stuff ABOUT the language - maybe learning the odd word when you need it (and can find it) - but not much more. Unless used in an integrated way with recordings or, better still, a teacher.
From your questions, you sound as if you do not have much experience in language learning (?) - if so, I'd advise getting a teacher - not just a native speaker, but someone who knows how to teach, knows the difficulties his/her language poses for the non-native.
I'm afraid all these "systems" which boast about "speak XYZ in three months" are a load of the stuff that they pipe out under the sea three miles off shore. Same with any course that says it's an "easy" way to learn.
Learning a language, even to basic levels, is not easy at all, even when you are in the country concerned and surrounded by it. And everyone says all Slavic languages are difficult for non-Slavs. It requires EFFORT. But it can be fun, stimulating and satisfying. Just you need to be prepared to be in for the long-haul.
That's my experience, anyway.
BICBW - if you watch Braveheart in Croatian a couple of times and find yourself able to discuss the theories of nationalist politics with waiting passengers next time you are at a Zagreb tram stop - please let me know. I'd like to become your manager
HTH, kesterj
