Word replacement as method for learning foreign language?

eumesmo · 04-02-2008, 04:37 PM

When I first learned English, I was very much attached to logical textbooks(general science I think it was) bubbling with Latin based words, learning in spite of pronunciation or word retention. I was wondering, suppose you take a novel, and replace words(primarily simple words) to target language on a progressive scale, wouldn't 1 or 2 novels be enough to get a head start on a new language? Has anyone any expertise, or seen something similar, comments, critics?

Much Appreciated.

NatCh · 04-02-2008, 05:32 PM

Interesting notion.

I can see the approach being more useful for vocabulary than grammar though ....

tompe · 04-02-2008, 05:57 PM

There is an old series of classics using Swedish->English doing exactly that. The first book start with just a couple of English words per page and the last book I think is mostly or totally in English. I think these books were intended to be used as companion reading to an English self study course.

NatCh · 04-02-2008, 10:14 PM

Do you have any experience with them? I'm curious how they handle the grammar thing.

eumesmo · 04-02-2008, 11:06 PM

You can learn grammar with texts written in the target language after you grasp the basics, or better yet, use said software to convert advanced words to your original language in a decreasing scale.

I don't think it would spoil your learning forever, then again, my primary interest is learning to read and write.

eumesmo · 04-05-2008, 08:10 PM

No one willing to give it a go? The use of one such program is very much dependent on e-ink devices, the facility for extensive reading of easily modifiable content. I am sure we all could afford to learn/partly learn another language at such reduced effort. Perhaps one of you could advocate the idea to one of the higher-ups...

Patricia · 04-05-2008, 08:48 PM

Which 'higher ups'?
We'd need someone who speaks two languages fluently, has a working knowledge of grammar, preferably a bit of knowledge about language teaching, and lots of time.
If you mean the mods, then we are all volunteers and have day jobs, families etc.

Perhaps you might like to have a go, eumesmo?

HarryT · 04-06-2008, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eumesmo

No one willing to give it a go? The use of one such program is very much dependent on e-ink devices, the facility for extensive reading of easily modifiable content. I am sure we all could afford to learn/partly learn another language at such reduced effort. Perhaps one of you could advocate the idea to one of the higher-ups...

It's your idea - why don't you have a go?

I must admit to being a little dubious about it, though. Suppose you were "replacing" English words with words from a highly-inflected language such as German. What would you do with the case endings?

eumesmo · 04-06-2008, 04:46 PM

I'm ashamed to admit I don't know a single coding language, but I would be willing to help with whatever else is needed. I would say ignore case endings, or use random endings despite text, I think the primary aim would be to create the critical mass needed for basic understanding, and subsequent in-depth study of target language, in a nearly effortless system, although we are unable to predict the learning deficiencies or damage of such system.

04-02-2008, 04:37 PM	#1
eumesmo Connoisseur Posts: 69 Karma: 272 Join Date: May 2006 Device: Sony Reader	Word replacement as method for learning foreign language? When I first learned English, I was very much attached to logical textbooks(general science I think it was) bubbling with Latin based words, learning in spite of pronunciation or word retention. I was wondering, suppose you take a novel, and replace words(primarily simple words) to target language on a progressive scale, wouldn't 1 or 2 novels be enough to get a head start on a new language? Has anyone any expertise, or seen something similar, comments, critics? Much Appreciated.

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04-02-2008, 05:32 PM	#2
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Interesting notion. I can see the approach being more useful for vocabulary than grammar though ....

04-02-2008, 05:57 PM	#3
tompe Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,452 Karma: 7185064 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Linköpng, Sweden Device: Kindle Voyage, Nexus 5, Kindle PW	There is an old series of classics using Swedish->English doing exactly that. The first book start with just a couple of English words per page and the last book I think is mostly or totally in English. I think these books were intended to be used as companion reading to an English self study course.

04-02-2008, 10:14 PM	#4
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Do you have any experience with them? I'm curious how they handle the grammar thing.

04-02-2008, 11:06 PM	#5
eumesmo Connoisseur Posts: 69 Karma: 272 Join Date: May 2006 Device: Sony Reader	You can learn grammar with texts written in the target language after you grasp the basics, or better yet, use said software to convert advanced words to your original language in a decreasing scale. I don't think it would spoil your learning forever, then again, my primary interest is learning to read and write.

04-05-2008, 08:10 PM	#6
eumesmo Connoisseur Posts: 69 Karma: 272 Join Date: May 2006 Device: Sony Reader	No one willing to give it a go? The use of one such program is very much dependent on e-ink devices, the facility for extensive reading of easily modifiable content. I am sure we all could afford to learn/partly learn another language at such reduced effort. Perhaps one of you could advocate the idea to one of the higher-ups...

04-05-2008, 08:48 PM	#7
Patricia Reader Posts: 11,504 Karma: 8720163 Join Date: May 2007 Location: South Wales, UK Device: Sony PRS-500, PRS-505, Asus EEEpc 4G	Which 'higher ups'? We'd need someone who speaks two languages fluently, has a working knowledge of grammar, preferably a bit of knowledge about language teaching, and lots of time. If you mean the mods, then we are all volunteers and have day jobs, families etc. Perhaps you might like to have a go, eumesmo?

04-06-2008, 04:46 PM	#9
eumesmo Connoisseur Posts: 69 Karma: 272 Join Date: May 2006 Device: Sony Reader	I'm ashamed to admit I don't know a single coding language, but I would be willing to help with whatever else is needed. I would say ignore case endings, or use random endings despite text, I think the primary aim would be to create the critical mass needed for basic understanding, and subsequent in-depth study of target language, in a nearly effortless system, although we are unable to predict the learning deficiencies or damage of such system.

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