While perusing the research files of the Linguistic department in trinity, I came across this interesting nugget. I have probably heard of it before, and it no doubt has been happening since time immemorial, but it could make an interesting addition to the site.

The basic premise is that two people, who obviously have a shared language, teach eachother a language they are fluent in, that the other doesn't know. It's a reciprocal relationship, and naturally the topics covered in each session would be virtually the same.

Of course, on a site like this, it may just be a written as opposed to an aural or oral exercise, but it still could set a nice foundation. I for one would be more than willing to offer my linguistic services, in return for a language with an interesting world view.

I want to learn Irish Riadach, but can only offer in exchange a ragbag of poor German, bad French, pidgin Welsh and phrase book Spanish. I think you should look for a better offer, even if I say it myself.

cactus flower wrote:

I want to learn Irish Riadach, but can only offer in exchange a ragbag of poor German, bad French, pidgin Welsh and phrase book Spanish. I think you should look for a better offer, even if I say it myself.

Any other areas of expertise I might be interested in? It's a knowledge swapmeet.

riadach wrote:

cactus flower wrote:

I want to learn Irish Riadach, but can only offer in exchange a ragbag of poor German, bad French, pidgin Welsh and phrase book Spanish. I think you should look for a better offer, even if I say it myself.

Any other areas of expertise I might be interested in? It's a knowledge swapmeet.

I'm a superficial polymath.

Dilletante? You can teach me all about dilletantism.:-)

riadach wrote:

Dilletante? You can teach me all about dilletantism.:-)

riadach - hablo bastante bien el Castellano. Bastante. Quieras aprender todo lo que sé? Sin problemas amigo - te doy unas classes en espanol y tu me puedas dar unas classes en Irlandés. Valé?

If you are seriously thinking about this I can exchange passable Spanish with you in exchange for Irish lessons. I will recommend you some books too and perhaps you may recommend some for me. We can certainly discuss it later in one of the bars. I could also teach you the C language as well (or maybe Java might be better for you - I'd have to dig up some notes or re-read up on it myself though)

Interesting, since I'm going to gran canaria in june, it may be handy. Might up my value on the meat market too lol.

They'll have different expressions in Gran Canaria ... Do you think you could learn enough in two months though?

Auditor #9 wrote:

They'll have different expressions in Gran Canaria ... Do you think you could learn enough in two months though?

Múineann gá seift a mhac, múineann gá seift.

Cad is brí le "múineann gá seift"?

Need teaches tricks.

I have fluent German and would gladly trade for anything else - Italian for preference, though I'd take Irish (which I'm picking up as I go here anyway) or Spanish... Russian would be interesting too.

Kate P wrote:

I have fluent German and would gladly trade for anything else - Italian for preference, though I'd take Irish (which I'm picking up as I go here anyway) or Spanish... Russian would be interesting too.

I have a bit of german actually, till 6th year. I think I have lost most of it but can put a sentence together. Once you have one second language though, the rest seem to be easier.

Fluent german? Is there an expression for 'Take your time'?

Kate P wrote:

I have fluent German and would gladly trade for anything else - Italian for preference, though I'd take Irish (which I'm picking up as I go here anyway) or Spanish... Russian would be interesting too.

Cool. German is my favourite language ...after Irish of course (did I get away with that)

I love the sound of German, unfortunately I'm crap at it myself.

I bought CD's for my car, but Newstalk is more interesting !

Auditor #9 wrote:

Fluent german? Is there an expression for 'Take your time'?

As opposed to macht schnell?

riadach wrote:

Auditor #9 wrote:

Fluent german? Is there an expression for 'Take your time'?

As opposed to macht schnell?

There's no beating music for learning a language. That and drink

Rammstein - Ich will