Conjugate The Verbs Or Learn The Words?
Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at 9:43PM The age-old dilemma of language learning. Does one study the grammar first and learn to speak it properly, or should efforts be focused on learning the vocabulary in order to conduct conversations? The first way used to seem more popular, but the latter has recently gained ground.
Personally, I stick with the "Alex Method" of learning how to order beer, and the rest comes naturally. But, that's neither here nor there.
This is all in my mind because I, again, should be conjugating verbs for my Hungarian lesson. Instead, just like last time, I'm writing this. I don't spend all my time on verbs, this is the same homework assignment as before. I was given a lot of last minute tasks and had to admit to my teacher that I hadn't done my homework. This was much more embarrassing now that I'm also a teacher.
For dinner tonight, my parents and I went to a restaurant in Békéscsaba that specializes in Transylvanian food (convenient because of my latest trip, isn't it?). The place was decorated in the style of a peasant house, and I really enjoyed it.
The menu, however, was in Hungarian or German. My dad knows some German, so he read that. I put my Hungarian skills to the test and read that version. Depending on who you talk to, it was a success.
My dad and I each ordered a different soup. When it arrived, we figured out we ordered the same soup - in two different languages.
My mom was nervous about ordering something blindly, so I translated a dish for her as "Chicken-Something with Mushroom-Something in the Transylvania style". Using the German menu, my dad figured out the "Mushroom-Something" was "Mushroom-Sauce". She was relieved and ordered.
Now, we encountered the part where we debated the successfulness of my translation. She was given "Chicken-Something with Mushroom-Sauce in the Transylvania style", so I was quite proud of myself.
"Something" turned out to be livers - apparently that's not what she wanted. She tried to eat it, but didn't really enjoy it. I felt bad that she didn't get a meal she liked, and immediately asked her if she was impressed at my Hungarian skills. Only my mother wouldn't hit me at this point. This is why there's a special day devoted to mothers.
If it makes her feel better, my "Transylvanian style Ham-Something" wasn't exactly what I expected. It should've been called "Transylvanian style Ham-FAT with a few bites of Ham". This is why people love picture menus.
Hungarian word of the day:
Szaloncukor
Pronounced Seh-lone-tsue-core. It is a small candy that is traditionally hung from the decorated Christmas trees in Hungary. Some of my classes have been asking what the name is in English, and others tell me there isn't a name. Too bad they don't talk to each other. I confused the two yesterday and was lauged at - "There is no name for this in English, Alex, it's called Szaloncukor. What are you talking about?"
Szaloncukor
Reader Comments (8)
For "szaloncukor" there's an easier phonetic description: Salon-tsook-or. However, the emphasis is on the first syllable in the "salon" part of the word, rather than on the second.syllsable.
Ordering beer really is a good first step. And as you just noticed, food vocabulary is helpful in Hungary, not only in a restaurant. :-) Apart from that, I would concentrate on the singular verb forms, because that's what you mainly need, and study vokabulary. Worked for me. I know that I speak crappy and make a lot of mistakes, but I'm understood and everybody tells me I speak perfect Hungarian... Maybe because it's so rare that foreigners make the effort at all. Good luck!
Netuddki,
That is easier, but I'm not sure if it would be correct with an American accent. Doesn't the "o" need to be pronounced like in "own", not in "on" as it would with this word?
Rigó Jancsi,
Thanks for your advice! What did you use to study Hungarian - books, internet sites, people teaching you, or something else? It's good to hear that non-Hungarians can learn the language, that gives me confidence!
Alex
Hi Alex,
I tried books, but they only work as an extra for grammar. I spent one month at the Summer University in Pécs some years ago, that was more than helpful. And today I learn by talking my head off in the office and in meetings with customers. But face it: If you really want to learn Hungarian, you need a Hungarian girl friend. :-) Or in my case, she's already my wife.
Rigó,
Thanks for the advice. I'll have to keep practicing it, and hopefully I'll soon find a nice Hungarian girlfriend to help me learn!
Alex
I'v just red Rigó Jancsi's comment, after commenting your today blog...Funny!
Rigó Jancsi (do you like this cake, I mean the Rigó Jancsi-cake?) it wasn't you yesterday I was talking with in the hospital, was it? You must be a different american guy...I suppose. All the americans come here to find a hungarian wife? Great! Go ahead!
Nat,
Yeah, Rigó Jancsi's comment really made me laugh too! I think he's German, though, because he left a link to his blog (it showed up by clicking on his name - next to the date under the comment).
Here's the link to it:
http://www.hungaliennation.blogspot.com
So maybe it's not just Americans that are finding the Hungarian wives - everyone seems to realize how great and beautiful Hungarian women are! I wonder if I'll find a Hungarian girlfriend? I probably need to learn a little more than one Hungarian word per day.
Alex
:)