Czech Language Lessons REQUIRED

Hi Francesco, are you still interested about czech language??? or you can speak now fluently ? You can let me text and we can speak later. PJ

[quote]The thing is... learning a language spoken in just one small country is not very 'practical' use of one's time :S Same with learning Dutch, Danish,Swedish,Hungarian.... or Italian. -I would never invest my time into learning one of these languages. If you are into slavic languages, why not invest your time in learning Russian - lot more people speak the language(from Latvia to Ukraine to Vladivostok, to Central Asia)-more useful for business as well. And once you learn Russian, it is relatively easy to learn other Slavic languages... Anyway, if you insist on Czech. Good luck to you. It is a beautiful language![/quote] Toto je kvalitni nazor!

[quote] I see learning Czech as a passion and a pleasure rather than an intended purpose [/quote] OK, not everybody is 'practical' and it is perhaps a good thing! [quote] linguistic research has shown that Russian is less 'interesting' than Czech (only meaning that it has less peculiar grammatical features than Czech). Very much has been written about Russian, but not so much about Czech, which actually displays a more intricate grammatical system.[/quote] Agreed- Russian grammar is based on the same principles, but simpler(less complex, less grammatic exceptions etc.). Of living laguages, Russian is probably closest to what you could call proto-Slavic language. That is why it's grammar is simpler making it good starting point to learn other slavic languages.

I get your point, and you are right to some extent: learning Czech may not be of 'practical' use. However, never forget that there exist pleasure and 'uninterested' interests in life. For example, do we really (biologically) need to drink wine and beer? And yet we do drink them: for no other reason but pleasure. I see learning Czech as a passion and a pleasure rather than an intended purpose - as odd as this may sound. On a different note, linguistic research has shown that Russian is less 'interesting' than Czech (only meaning that it has less peculiar grammatical features than Czech). Very much has been written about Russian, but not so much about Czech, which actually displays a more intricate grammatical system. As a researcher, I would like to explore more what has not yet been thoroughly explored, hence Czech. Thank you for your comment and for wishing me luck.

The thing is... learning a language spoken in just one small country is not very 'practical' use of one's time :S Same with learning Dutch, Danish,Swedish,Hungarian.... or Italian. -I would never invest my time into learning one of these languages. If you are into slavic languages, why not invest your time in learning Russian - lot more people speak the language(from Latvia to Ukraine to Vladivostok, to Central Asia)-more useful for business as well. And once you learn Russian, it is relatively easy to learn other Slavic languages... Anyway, if you insist on Czech. Good luck to you. It is a beautiful language!

Hello, the reasons for studying Czech are explained - although scattered here and there - throughout the whole forum discussion. For clarity, I shall perhaps summarise them here again: 1. I am a linguist and a philologist. As a job, I conduct university research in Theoretical Linguistics. In particular, I specialise in the pragmatic-semantic-morphosyntax interface. I came across several articles and essays on Slavic languages, which indeed display some very interesting linguistic features. I simply would like to expand my research and hopefully find more evidence on my theories. 2. I have always been fascinated by Czechoslovakia (since I was a child) and by Czech Republic (more recently). Don't ask me why. It would be like asking why I like blue more than yellow or wine more than beer. 3. For personal reasons, which relate to my private life. 4. Simply because learning languages (ANY language) is a challenging but useful exercise for the brain and for the soul. That is all. I really am still puzzled by the fact that learning Czech seems to be 'odd' for most of the contributors to this forum... Czech is just a language as all the other languages: it has its more complex features (compared to other languages) as well as its easier features (compared to other languages). I just happen to be interested in Czech, rather than Vietnamese. That's all. Thank you for posting to this forum, anyway.

Hi:) why do you want to learn czech... I am sorry for question, maybe it sounds stupid:) so don´t be angry:) but... why? which nationality are you?

My last message was addressed to redalert only, of course. Moving on, thank you to all those who keep encouraging me! Díky moc!

Really, what is the point of all your comments so far, if there is any? Of course, it is not difficult to presume that your principle aim here is indeed that of getting replies from people whom you wish to upset for no reason. Fine! I cannot prevent you from expressing yourself in whatever way makes you feel good about yourself. I guess that from now on we shall all patiently and silently acknowledge your frustration, repressed anger and insecurity.

[quote]Hi Francesco, Whatever you do, don't feed the trolls! (Viz http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll_(Internet).) Do learn Czech, it'll be difficult, fun & interesting; and you'll be able to understand what these strange, stubborn, pointy-nosed creatures say. Not what they mean, of course; but that's has nothing to do with the language.[/quote] Wow, who would ever say the guy in funny pants knew about wikipedia. :huh:

Hi Francesco, Great decision! Our language is beautiful and interesting to study :) If you need any cultural recommendations -books, films, events – unfortunately most of it in London – don’t hesitate to drop me a line. I like your ideas - book-reading circles, discussion round-tables, seminars (on any topic), film screenings, exhibitions, dinners, parties – shame we live so far (London). Good luck & keep going.

Thank you Jan! I really needed your support here, and many thanks to all those who did not discourage my ambitious intention of learning Czech. So far, I have identified two schools in Manchester (for children, actually...) which may nonetheless provide Czech classes for adults. However, I would like to keep this forum topic open, in my quest for further advice and suggestions. In fact, I would immensely appreciate it if I could obtain more information on the Czech language/culture which is available in Manchester (or England). These pieces of information may also relate to (and advise me on) films, videos, books, events which may help me to ‘approach’ Czech language and culture, and should not be necessarily of didactic nature. In fact, being overenthusiastic, I may just as well propose that, in this forum, we try and organise cultural and language events for both Czech and non-Czech people. These can be book-reading circles, discussion round-tables, seminars (on any topic), film screenings, exhibitions, dinners, parties, etc. I will be very happy to help in organising, provide that we all contribute a little – and dismiss the pessimistic attitude. The events can also be organised with, and hosted by, the University of Manchester, where I work. Whether formal or informal events, I can certainly facilitate and intercede for the use of the university premises and facilities – which, however, may involve some bureaucracy and, of course, the seriousness of whatever project/event. So, yes, please, any suggestion is very welcome!