Elinor Nauen

Not hard to understand how I've learned so much Norwegian from Duolingo, is it, not when you see this sort of helpful hint. 

It was thrilling to actually speak Norwegian. I was happy that I felt little hesitation in trying. The reactions:
* An immediate switch to English. This was usually in a situation where the person didn't have time or interest in a slow conversation, such as in a restaurant.
* A surprised expression. You speak Norwegian? often followed by: WHY? From a utilitarian point of view there's no reason: I didn't mean anyone who didn't have serviceable or better English. I would say because I fell in love with your language, which didn't change their minds but made them happy, I think.
* No reaction, just a response to whatever I had asked. Whenever that happened, which it did fairly often, I was gratified.

Duolingo gave me grammar & vocabulary, Pimsleur the confidence to open my mouth. My wonderful friends there were patient, helpful & spoke slowly enough that I could manage.

Now I have to figure out how to keep having conversations in the States.  Read More 

I just completed my second Duolingo "tree," this one tainted by them rolling out a whole new system of points & lessons. So far I find it extremely annoying—they claim it adds complexity, but the dozen lessons I did were mostly variants of the same words & sentences, over & over. Maybe in the more difficult lessons, they do add on, but I was hoping to rattle through the earliest ones, maybe even test out (no longer an option). The timed lesson,  Read More 

I love DuoLingo, the language-learning app. I randomly started learning Norwegian last year, which fascinates me intensely and has introduced me to some wonderful Norwegian friends & poets. I have also dabbled in Spanish, French & Italian on DuoLingo. Now I've started on German, & I must say, my ear is sharper there than in any other  Read More 

Dych chi eisiau afal neu lemon?*

Eich bod yn synnu fy mod yn siarad eich iaith mor dda!**

DuoLingo launched their Welsh course this afternoon & I was one of the first people to sign up. I already know the days of the week & some greetings, although the words are pretty mushy in my mouth.

I remember going to visitmy relatives in Cardiff, and Aldwyn insisting I try to use Welsh, so I dutifully told the taxi driver I was going to 4 Llanfair road in as clicky a Welsh accent as I could manage.

The driver shrugged: Never heard of it.

It's a big street! It's right off of Cathedral Parkway!

I gave in & said "lan-fair" & he said, Oh! and took me right there.

* Do you want an apple or a lemon?
** You are surprised I speak your language so well! OK, I got this one from Google translate. It's the one sentence the brilliant & hilarious Barbara Barg knows in a dozen languages.