#but i am FAR from fluency

[tired-ppth-immunologist]

i'm curious now, what languages do you speak?

Ah, well, I can speak Romanian (since it’s my mother-tongue), English, German, learnt Scottish Gaelic as a hobby in college, and I’m currently studying Greek, for my mother was from Greece and I’d love to feel more connected to her.

Odd list, I know, but I think it’s helpful knowing some foreign languages, no matter how random.

[selkies-world]

Language resources

(Duolingo alternatives)

For those who no longer use or trust Duolingo, I've put together a list of resources - apps, learning methods, programmes, etc - with a list of whether or not they are free, and my personal experience with their success at teaching a language. I have also included new ones that I haven't tried yet but which I have researched; for these, I have included a rating of how much hope I have for them panning out in the future.

[I grew up bilingual & went to a multicultural school that had a student body consisting of children from refugee families who spoke little to no English. The school prioritised teaching the entire student body the minority languages, and finding a bridge language we could all learn together to fill in any gaps in communication. Due to this, I spent the last 4 years of primary school learning new languages with the rest of the student body.

We would have a school-wide lesson for 1 hour once a week - usually with a child or staff member fluent in that language leading the lesson at the front of the gym with a microphone so we could hear the correct pronunciation in time with reading the native spelling & English phonetics on the projector screen at the front of the hall. We were expected to use this language in the corridors when we spoke with teachers or staff members and when we passed by other students regardless of what their or our native languages were. As far as fluency went, we were expected to be able to recognise and say greetings and goodbyes, enquire to each others well-being, know how to ask for assistance, how to ask for medical help for various things, how to ask where the bathroom was, to give and receive directions around the entire school, as well as colours, names of things found around the school, make small talk about our activities of the day and our family, and why we were out of class - all with relative ease & mutual understanding.

We changed language after every break, so it was roughly 8 hours of lessons in each language, before we would start again with a new one.

Alongside this, the older students in the school (final 3 years, aged 9 - 11/12) would learn French 3+ hours a week for those 3 years so their writing, reading and speaking standards were acceptable for the beginning of high school. In 1 of these years, we also studied both of our native languages for the first time, for 6 weeks each.

I left traditional schooling at 11, and while I was home-schooled I taught myself Italian, Russian, and Latin from scratch, along with relearning my preferred native language, and 2 forms of sign - I used Makaton as a young child and in school as I have a form of mutism, but as a teen I realised I associated this language with the severe trauma I experienced at school, and so suffered from flashbacks and dissociative episodes when I used it. This, along with medical concerns, led to me learning BSL, and then SSE. Today, I use a combination of English, SSE and my native language in everyday settings. I have a mental block for learning French due to it being heavily associated with my trauma.

I am saying all this not for sympathy, but so that you can see firstly how much I enjoy and value learning languages, and in order to show my experience levels with learning languages. I've used, tried, and tested all of the learning methods I will be talking about in this post. I have either used or done a lot of research into the apps and programmes discussed in this post.

And yes, I have prioritised ones that teach endangered languages, indigenous languages and languages that aren't often included in language media such as Hebrew, various forms of Arabic, Navajo, Gaelic, and others. I have also included ones that teach and / or document sign languages and sign communication systems.]

Please note that the following lists are arranged in no particular order. They are not ranked best to worst or by any other X to Y ratio. They are simply ranked according to how I remembered, tested, or found each of them.

Apps

1: Fluyo.

Rating for hope / faith: ☆☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆

Effectiveness: n/a

Cost: unknown

Status: not yet publicly available

Please note that while Fluyo is not yet available, its Kickstarter page is flourishing, its app is in development, and the developer is a man of colour who has continued to devote himself to this app and its development despite rising health concerns, developing a life-changing disabling condition, and numerous set-backs. His YouTube channel is very educational, and he has also written a book on language-learning. If you would like to know more, you can learn about him here. Fluyo is set up like a computer game with multiple cute characters who are interactive rather than stationary, and I genuinely have high hopes for it once it is released.

2: Babble

Personal experience: ☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: free trial for the first lesson, but a paid subscription is required for any further lessons

Status: available to download

3: Language Drops

Personal experience: ☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆

Cost: free for some lessons, but a paid account is required for access to all lessons

Status: available to download

4: Fluent forever

Hope for: ☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆☆

Cost: free access to basic lessons to build your confidence with the language, but a paid subscription is required for unlimited access

Status: available to download

5: Lingopie

Hope for: ☆☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆☆

Cost: free trial for 7 days, but a paid subscription is required after that for continued use of the app

Status: available to download

6: Fluenday

Hope for: ☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: free

Status: available to download

7: Language flower

Hope for: ☆

Languages available: ☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆

Cost: free, as far as I can tell

Status: available to download

8: Sign BSL / Daniel Mitchell

Personal experience: ☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: free

Status: available to download

Please note that Daniel Mitchel offers a BSL version of this, along with an ASL version.

9: Bright BSL / sign lab

Personal experience: ☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆☆☆

Effectiveness:☆☆☆☆

Cost: free for some lessons + premium for all other lessons

Status: available to download

Please note that Sign Lab offers this app for the following sign languages: BSL (Bright BSL), ASL (ASL Bloom), LSF (Pause LSF / Langue des Signes, yoDGS, Libras (LibrasLab), Italian Sign Language (MeLISegno), and Toleio: Norsk Tegnspråk.

10: BSL zone

Personal experience: ☆☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: free

Status: available to download

11: Reverso context

Personal experience: ☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: free

Status: available to download

This is less for learning a language, more for quick reference / fact-checking a translation.

12: Pimsleur

Personal experience: ☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: free 7 day trial, but a paid subscription is required for continued use

Status: available to download

13: Memrise

Personal experience: ☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: free for introductory levels, with a premium option to unlock majority of lessons

Status: available to download

14: Busluu

Personal experience: ☆☆☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆☆

Cost: Free, with a premium option to download lessons, more repetition, and extra lessons

Status: available to download

15: Hello Talk

Hope for: ☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆

Cost: free

Status: available to download

16: Rosetta Stone

Personal experience: ☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆☆

Cost: monthly subscription is required

Status: available to download

17: Lingo Deer

Personal experience: ☆

Languages available: ☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: free, with a premium option for all lessons beyond Basics 1

Status: available to download

18: Beelinguapp

Personal experience: ☆☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆☆

Cost: free trial, but a subscription is required for total access

Status: available to download

19: Lingvist

Personal experience: ☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆ (though it does have an option to suggest other languages for them to add, and which language you would like to learn from, and they'll email you when / if that language becomes available)

Effectiveness: unknown

Cost: free

Status: available to download

[Please note this one is not photosensitive friendly or seizure friendly. I had to close the app as soon as I opened it due to the design on their opening page, and even when I reopened it and clicked straight through, their colour scheme was still upsetting to my senses.]

20: Lingvano

Hope for: ☆☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: free for a few lessons, but for access to all lessons, a paid subscription is required

Status: available to download

21: Duocards

Personal experience: ☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: free, but a more advanced version is available for premium accounts

Status: available to download

22: Chatterbug

Hope for: ☆☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: free with limited access, but a paid version is available

Status: available to download

23: Mango languages learning

Hope for: ☆☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: free trial, with a premium account required for further access

Status: available to download

24: EdX

Hope for: ☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆

Cost:

Status: available to download

Please note that EdX is an app which houses courses on multiple subjects, not specifically a language-learning app.

25: Mondly Languages

Personal experience: ☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆

Cost: free, though it does repeatedly offer you a subscription account for an experience catered to you and your interests

Status: available to download

Please note this one may be triggering to those who are photosensitive or whose senses are upset by rapid moving gifs. There is a crown in the top right-hand corner which vibrates very quickly.

26: Speakly

Hope for: ☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: free trial, with a subscription account required for further use

Status: available to download

27: Pocket sign

Hope for: ☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: free, as far as I can tell

Status: available to download

28: Lingo legend language learning

Hope for: ☆☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: free, though I think there may be a premium option either available but unmentioned, or in the works

Status: available to download

Please note that this app offers you the chance to vote for which languages should be added to its interface, so they can prioritise which ones to fund.

29: INC sign language app

Hope for: ☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: free

Status: available to download

For those with religious trauma, please note that INC stands for Iglesia Ni Cristo, and the INC Sign Language App "is a project of the Christian Society for the Deaf under the Christian Family Organizations Office of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ)". While it does not appear to prioritise religious content, the content does feature people dressed in suits as if for attending a church sermon.

30: My signing time

Hope for: ☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆☆

Cost: 14 day free trial, and a subscription is required after this point

Status: available to download

Please note that this one is aimed at babies / toddlers & families.

32: Falou

Personal experience: ☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: free, with a premium option if you want to learn more than 1 language & unlock additional courses in your chosen language

Status: available to download

33: Earworms

Personal experience: ☆☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆☆

Cost: free for the demo, then after that, the lessons are broken into two "volumes" to buy individually, or 1 bonus-pack which contains both to buy once at a slightly reduced cost.

Status: available to download

Please note that Earworms used to be available as CD lessons, which is when I first used them. The CDs were in Volumes and were more expensive than all costs on this app. I used them 10 years ago and still remember what I learned despite not getting to use the language very often, so I can guarantee their method is very effective.

34: Qlango

Personal experience: ☆☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆☆

Cost: free, with a premium option for the final 3 levels

Status: available to download

Please note that this one is laid out more like a semi-immersive lesson plan rather than a game. However, it is currently my favourite one.

Other resources

1: Signing hands (YouTube)

Personal experience: ☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆

Cost: free

Status: available to watch

2: Military style

Personal experience: ☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆☆

Cost: n/a

Status: available to begin for free, though it will be difficult for you to find an environment that allows you to experience this authentically. If you would like to learn more about what the military style is, I will speak about it further below.

3: Textbooks / Reading materials

Personal experience: ☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: free, or otherwise up to you (what you are willing / able to spend on it)

Status: available to start whenever you feel like it

You can find numerous language-learning resources listed at the end of this post. I also recommend buying an up-to-date dictionary and thesaurus in your chosen language, and studying it. Study the grammar noted in the front, and then actually read the dictionary. It will seem strange, but it will benefit you in the long-run. Make notes as you go, highlight and colour some things in as you see fit.

Learning methods

1: Immersion

Over and over again, we are told that immersion is the best, most effective way to learn a language. This is because this is how we often think children learn languages - and we're partly right about that.

Immersion is the process of immersing yourself in the chosen language, with one single choice: learn the language, or suffer.

If our brains have to choose between struggling to pronounce a few words while gesturing to something we want and clinging onto sounds we hear like trying to hold onto a wet otter, or not getting what we want, we're going to choose to sound & look like an idiot, pointing and saying basic sounds, even if trying to remember the reply is like trying to remember Pi.

With enough time, though, we pick the language up remarkably well when we have no choice but to pick it up. This is the method which has us mimicking accents and gestures and expressions in order to best gain what we want: to express ourselves, our needs and our desires.

However, immersion is often critiqued because unless you have the means to fly to the country that speaks your desired language and live there with 0 influence from your native language for 6+ months... Well, you're not fully immersed, are you? Language apps try to give you an immersive experience, but you can always put your phone down. Depending on where you were educated, you may have had an immersive language class, where you had to learn the language or not be able to join in and so failed by default.

Good ways to mimic immersion are: finding radio channels in your chosen language and watching TV shows in your chosen language without subtitles, and listening to music in your chosen language.

2: Flashcards

Flashcards often tend to be a popular way to test your memory and retention of a particular subject. However, using them to begin learning a language can lead to a loss of motivation.

If you are creating the flashcards yourself, I would recommend creating them in 2 sets: 1 which is the traditional flashcard (your first language OR a picture on one side, and the translation on the other side), and 1 which has twice as many, with only 1 side being used. This second set should be designed like playing cards - the word or picture on one side, and a plain back.

This second set can be used when you're wanting to boost your motivation or confidence - arrange the cards face down, and begin playing the children's game of Pairs. Another option would be Snap.

When you return to using the traditional flashcards, you'll have a better foundation to build on if you've taught yourself to see these as fun, and taught your brain to associate these cards with quickfire responses - such as are brought to the surface during childrens' cards games.

3: Stickers

This is a method which seems obvious once it's pointed out, but seems confusing if you've never done it before.

Simply put, using stickers is when you create or buy stickers with the translation of everyday objects, words and phrases in your chosen language, and put them up around your house. "Door" goes on the door. "Cupboard" goes on the outside of a cupboard, "bread" goes on the inside. "Fridge" goes on the fridge door. "Milk" goes behind the milk so you see it every time you pick the milk up. "Lightswitch" goes above / under the lightswitch. Etc etc etc.

This is a memory retention technique used for multiple scenarios. Nurseries and schools may sometimes have the Makaton sign for something shown in a large diagram stuck to the walls / surfaces. Carehomes may have the names & purposes of objects stuck to the surfaces / objects in the dominant language, for the residents with memory issues or communication barriers.

While this is a good technique for quickfire memory boosts, it can be a slow way to learn a language from scraps, and is better suited for when you are semi-familiar with the written form of the language you are learning. It is also a good way to get everyone involved, as everyone in the home will be interacting with the stickers.

4: Forced conversation

This one is controversial, but can be very effective if it is approached with an open mind, clear communication and previously-agreed upon rules and lines.

The method of forced conversation is exactly what it sounds like: it is when you are engaged in a conversation in your target language, in which the person whom you are conversing with refuses to speak your original language. However, no matter how poor your language skills are, or how uncomfortable you get, they do not stop the conversation, and you do not let to leave the situation until they are satisfied you have communicated well enough, and have understood them. This will usually be "proven" by them giving you instructions, asking a specific question, or requesting you do something for them - if you follow the action through, you have understood them, if you try to give a vague answer and do not do the task, you have not understood them, and the interaction is forced to continue. Again.

This method is controversial because it is not immediately inclusive or welcoming for those who are shy, have anxiety, any form of Mutism, or who have a neurodiversiry or learning disability which impacts their communication. In formal situations, it is often these people who fall behind or get put off from learning a language if forced conversations are the only method they have the option of.

However, if there are adaptions made and accommodation previously discussed and provided, this can still be a viable method which is inclusive to all.

If the person speaking your target language is previously informed of your communication issues or complications, and are instructed in how to accommodate you (ie: Do they need to point at something, or use picture cards as prompts? Do you prefer using picture cards? Do you get distracted if they use hand gestures? Do you need fidget toys provided? Will it be easier for you if you are not forced to maintain eye contact? Will it be better for you if one or both of you are moving around rather than sitting down directly across from each other? Do the lights need to be altered in your environment to make the sensory experience less overwhelming? Do you use noise cancelling headphones? Do you focus better if there is music on in the background? Are there certain tones of voice or volume levels that need to be avoided? Does constantly changing body language stress you out? Do you have a stutter or speech impediment that may impact your pronunciation? Etc.)

Accomodaring these issues, and coming up with a signal to take a break (ie, if you have issues telling the difference between "I am angry at you personally" and "I am tired today" in vocal tones and facial expressions, will you get upset if you think the person is angry at you for not knowing their language? If so, do you need a signal to take a break so you can clearly communicate your stress, and they can give you an answer in your original language and clarify anything which is upsetting or confusing you, before continuing the conversation in your target language?) or to speak in simpler terms? Is their one subject you can talk about particularly well (a hyperfixation) which they can use in the conversation to help you engage?

All of these accommodations may seem intimidating, but if all those involved are aware of these accommodations going into the conversation, it can make the interaction much more positive and productive.

Forced conversation uses the same logic as immersion: if your brain has to choose between looking / sounding like an idiot who stumbles over words, or a very uncomfortable situation which lasts longer each time you make a mistake, your brain will choose to look like an idiot in order to achieve what it wants.

5: Repetition

Repetition is a very common method of learning a language, though it is often criticised for being ineffective.

It is when a phrase or word is said by one party, and repeated by another. If the second party does not pronounce it correctly, the first party repeats it again. This continues until the second party gets it correct. Then the pattern is repeated with another phrase / word. Once a certain number of words have been said correctly by the second party, the first party will return to the start and repeat the process again, with the second party having to say the phrases / words correctly multiple times before being able to move onto the next. The entire process continues in this loop until the second party is saying things correctly with ease.

This method is part of what makes up both immersion, flashcards and military style methods for language learning. It can also be used with textbook learning.

However, it is often critiqued because once the second party is away from the first party and left to their own devices, their confidence in their previous pronunciation will falter, and when they return to the lesson or need to use the language again, they'll be at a lower level of achievement than they were when they left. It is also very tedious, and can become boring.

6: Music

When I spoke about immersion, I briefly mentioned music. I also said that we assume children learn language via immersion. However, as adults we often overlook something else which plays a crucial role in teaching children language: music.

Children learn language, rhythm, speech patterns, and turn-of-phrase via songs, rhymes, riddles, fables, tongue-twisters, and music.

This is why it can be priceless to learn songs in your chosen language. Lullabies. Nursery rhymes. Children's songs. Pop songs that are ridiculed as being too simple or written without talent. Theme tunes from children's shows. Traditional rhymes and tongue-twisters. Most of these can be found via a long time on YouTube.

Music works in a unique way, worming its way into our minds. Our brains are hardwired to recognise and remember patterns - and music is made up of patterns. This is why we get songs stuck in our heads for no reason. Being able to use this to your advantage to learn or remember a new language can be an amazing experience.

7: Subtitles and language swap

This is a method which can be useful when you are learning more than one language, but are more familiar with one than the other.

It is where you watch / listen to a certain media in 1 language, while reading the subtitles / lyrics in another language. This way, the language you are more familiar with / fluent in will fill the gaps of understanding the less familiar one.

You can then challenge yourself by removing one language (muting the media & only reading the subtitles, or removing the subtitles and only listening to the provided audio) and seeing how well you follow along / understand.

This can also be used with your target language and your original language.

8: Writing it down

This is another form of repetitive learning which can be useful when studying / retaining for an exam, but can also be useful when you are first learning the written-to-verbal patterns of a language.

One method is longterm recall: this is where you write down short notes, words & phrases in your target language 1+ hour after engaging with your learning resources. This tests how much you retained. It is a physical show of how much you have actually learned.

Another method is short term recall & build-up: this is where you choose a single word / phrase, and write it as lines (Ducks are green and brown. Ducks are green and brown. Ducks are green and brown. Ducks are-) until your page is full. Then go back to the start and write over the top of your own writing, staying as close to your original marks as possible. Repeating this pattern multiple times until your page rips or the words become close to unreadable tricks your brain into focusing morenon your handwriting than on the language - as such, you will start to see the phrase / word as a pattern to follow, and it is then left to your subconscious mind to retain it while your conscious mind prioritises hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.

9: Textbook

If you're more academically inclined, you may prefer a textbook method of study. This is the style used in most night classes and / or some traditional education classes.

Textbook methods have everything arranged by date and time, and learning goals are broken down & laid out according to a set calender: by x, you will have learned this amount, by y, you will have learned this amount, so on so forty until the final set date when you will be "fluent" or a certain level of reasonably fluent.

Most of the time with this method, you will be following guidelines, activities and lesson plans previously arranged in a chosen textbook, and that textbook will be your sole or primary resource.

10: Bilingual books (page by page)

Using page-by-page bilingual books can be confusing and is often overlooked in regards to adult education - however, it can be somewhat interesting to try.

On one page, the text will be written in your original language - on the opposite page, the same text will be repeated in your target language. Seeing the two side-by-side allows you to read your target language and instantly refer back to your original language if you get stuck on a word or phrase.

There is another form of bilingual books often given to children: line-by-line. These feature the image / picture, with the original text written clearly and simply, usually no more than 1 or 2 sentences per page. Directly underneath them will be the translated text written in a different font.

11: Same story / movie, different language

While this can be a fun method, it isn't always the most beneficial if you're looking for accuracy - however, it can be useful if you're wanting to test yourself.

It uses a similar logic to the subtitles & language swap method: you put on a movie you are familiar with, but you put it on in your target language with 0 subtitles. This allows you to engage with the language while using the familiar movie / story as a bridge.

12: Military Style

This is perhaps the most effective technique to use of you have a set amount of time to reach a specified level of understanding / fluency in a language. However, it is also one of the most difficult to fully replicate yourself.

Military style is a form of forced immersion combined with forced conversation and repetitive loops, but with reward and punishment techniques to make you prioritise learning the language over your own comfort zone / personal boundaries.

An example of this style would be party 1 having party 2 engage in forced conversation in front of an audience, then having them repeat a phrase they got wrong over and over until they get it right - all in front of the audience, with a rule set which forbids party 2 from sitting down or disengaging the interaction until they have finished the task. Nobody in the audience is allowed to help party 2. Party 1 continues to push party 2 outside of their comfort zone by having them continue the conversation, repeating any mistakes until they are corrected, and the conversation does not end until it is completed.

After that, party 2 has to do 100 push-ups while repeating the phrase they got wrong the most - and they have to pronounce it correctly while doing the push-ups. Any mistakes, and they go back to 1, regardless of if they were at 7 or 98.

This combined punishment of mild public humiliation and physically pushing their body beyond its limits makes the brain see learning the language as the solution to ending this treatment - as such, party 2 will be far less likely to repeat those mistakes again.

Alongside this, there is forced immersion, in the sense that nobody is allowed to speak their original language in any context or to anyone - they must use the target language or be ignored at best or ridiculed at worst.

Understandably, this method is difficult to replicate on your own or outside of the army.

However, there are some tokens which can be taken from it: notably forced repetition & physical exercise.

Set yourself a challenge using any of the previously mentioned learning methods or apps. Keep note of your mistakes.

At the end of the challenge (say 30 minutes of learning) count up all your mistakes. Now do a push-up / squat / pull-up / sit-up / etc for each mistake you made while repeating the phrase out loud. If you stall too long on making a connection in your mind or stumble over the sounds, start counting from 1 again. Repeat this until you're continuously getting the mistakes correct.

At the end, go back to your lesson and repeat it. Did you get less mistakes?

Thoughts & considerations when it comes to learning a language - for language savants and novices alike

"If you don't use it, you lose it" is probably one of the most hated phrases in terms of learning anything new - and especially in terms of learning a language. I think a better expression would be "If you don't make room for it, you won't keep it".

If you don't make time to learn a language, you won't learn it.

If you don't challenge yourself to reach a certain standard, you won't achieve any standard.

If you don't make the effort to retain the new information, you'll forget it.

When you learn a new language, you have to make room for it in your mind. You have to be willing to make mistakes and continue, knowing you're not doing it perfectly. You have to be willing to make it a priority, even if nobody else in your life sees it as one. You have to be willing to be frustrated and tired and bored. You have to be willing to get every single thing wrong and try again. You have to be willing to be uncomfortable with the new sounds you're making and you have to be willing to be patient while your brain digs out a new burrow of tunnels and connections which didn't previously exist.

If you genuinely want to learn a new language, you have to make room for it in your mind and life. Even when sometimes it's a tight fit.

Resources, as promised

Reading, writing & textbook materials:

Book 1

Book 2

Book 3

Book 4

Book 5

Structured notebook 1

Structured notebook 2

Structured notebook 3

Something worth checking out 1

Other things to invest in:

A dictionary in your target language

Picture cards

Flashcards

Stickers

Books in your target language

Children's books in your target language

Nursery rhyme books in your target language

Magazine subscriptions in your target language on a topic you find fascinating

Newspapers in your target language

Poetry in your target language

1 paid language learning app - a lot of the time, you get what you pay for. Not always, but usually.

Notebooks, stationary, etc

Headphones / earplugs

Media in your target language

[prince-kallisto]

I am thinking about the Raverne who loved humanity

Despite the growing conflict and his wife’s hatred of humans, Raverne ventured out for the sake of diplomacy and saw something more out there. Something beyond human greed and cruelty, beyond the stench of oil and metal.

Human lives were as ethereal as a silk thread, weaving tapestries of their ancestors and their children. In the time it took for his kind to walk, a human child would grow into man, and craft wonders born from curiosity alone.

Who knows how Raverne first learned the Common Language. Perhaps he pored over human scrolls with scholars advising him over his shoulder. Perhaps the children giggled at his clumsy attempt of conversing with them, before scribbling the alphabet into the dirt with a twig- tongues sticking out from concentration. The first word the little ones taught him was “bird.”

Raverne did not teach himself despite Lilia’s claims, oh no. Far from it. A language he foresaw a future of peace in had to be taught by the humans themselves. To posses that degree of vulnerability was a danger in their world, but in order to be taught, one had to strip their notion of ‘normalcy.’ And so, Raverne bore his soul to humanity’s teachings. He knelt beside the drunken man on the street corner, beside an Empress, beside the mother feeding her babe. He trailed after the shepherd, gossiped with the merchant, listened to the elderly on their death bed. Each and every single human had their own story to tell, rich with a vocabulary different from the next.

Now carrying the torch, Raverne passed down the flames of knowledge to his fellow soldiers, to students, to Lilia. Over the years, schools could eventually educate young Fae the Common Language to the point of fluency. The fae would now carry this language and pass it on to their children, their grandchildren- for as many centuries it would take Fae and human to live hand-in-hand.

And when the war began, many of his people fell in battle. Villages raided, mines collapsed into rubble. A field of sawed trunks replaced the forests he, Lilia, and Meleanor used to play in. The rivers the water fairies once cultivated now reeked of oil. The rainwater satiated his thirst more than that gunk. Scraps of armor and cloth littered the war grounds. His body cried out from the day of battle, but he would bear the weight of his beloved companions on his shoulders one last time to grant them a proper resting place.

And in the moment that he too fell in battle, writhing in the agony as his wings were to be stolen as a trophy, Raverne could not yet being himself to despise humanity.

He thought of those small voices pleading if they could touch his iridescent feathers just once. Of the little ones whose eyes shone in wonder at his wings- the span of which were so large, that six or seven children could huddle within as if it were their secret playhouse. Why, Raverne recalled the elderly, the ones who took his hands in their calloused, frail ones, marveling at the sight of an “angel” before them. Their faces were wonderfully affected by time in a way his never would, with wrinkles and age spots and wisps of white hair. As blood puddled around him, the scent of food wafted through his memories. How generous the stall owners were, who insistently plated extra food onto his plate- meals crafted from hands that knew the touch of fire.

In his weakening breath, Raverne marveled at the beauty of humanity. Oh yes, it was certainly cruel, trashed with atrocities he could never even fathomed before. But at the heart of it lay a loud resilience. The sound of joy from young and old, dancing in their flowing garbs in their town square. Humans laughing and whooping through the strain of their feet hitting the ground in a rhythm, sweat dripping down their foreheads. Even through the vilest soldiers, the song of peace passed down through generations of humanity thrived still.

And Raverne prayed his beloved boy would one day be invited to sing too.

[witchofhimring]

Being the daughter of Aemond Targaryen

Aemond Targaryen x reader (platonic)

-As you are placed in his arms Aemond can hardly believe it. Even though he knew it was his duty to father children he never thought it would bring him so much joy. And now he had this beautiful baby girl. Immediately his protective instincts will kick in. As a baby very few people will be allowed to hold you. Only your mother, Alicent, Helena, Otto and himself will be allowed to hold you. A guard will be appointed to protect you from day one. He is very involved in your upbringing. After the neglect of his father Aemond strives to be different.

It had been a horribly long day. Aegon had been hung over the entirety of the council, causing the lords to share looks. As far as Aemond was concerned his elder brother was a lost cause. Aemond arrived at the door to his daughters nursery. He opened it to see two maids and Helena playing with the baby. Y/n had only just started to crawl. Her little head turned and she made a happy gurgling noise upon seeing her father. She made towards him, but at not being able to make it there fast enough started to fuss. "Hello my little dragon." He bundled his daughter into his arms, her head resting on his chest. The maids and his sister melted at the sight. Aemond looked at the look on his sisters face. "What?" "You just look so happy. I am happy for you, little brother."

-You are getting that dragon egg. No ifs or buts. He will not have his daughter subjected to the same torment he faced as a child. Either you are getting an egg or already hatched dragon. Aemond will absolutely take you on dragonrides. You will also be well acquainted with your heritage. He sometimes speaks to you in Valyrian to help you learn.

"Daddy!" Y/n jumped up and down happily clapping her hands in excitement. Crawling out of the dragons egg was a milky white dragon. Its cry was sharp as its claws. Aemond picked up his daughter and hugged her tightly, relief surging through him. His daughter would be a dragonrider after all.

-He will be very involved with your upbringing. He will carefully pick out a teacher who will be the best fit for you. It will not just be the normal subjects a lady of your standing is expected to take. Philosopher, medicine, sword fighting, advanced math, history and languages. He might even teach you himself in the early days. He expects all his children to be diligent in their studies. Aemond is strict in this area. He will not have you slaking off in this area. You are a Targaryen and he expects you to live up to the name.

"Hmm." Aemond's eye follows the little hand dragging itself across the rough parchment. Y/n was getting better with her Valyrian. At six Y/n was able to read a sentence with decent fluency. His mother sat in a chair near by sewing. A tranquility had settled itself in the room as everyone went about their business. Aemond had found a Valyrian translation of a story his daughter liked. Y/n got towards the end of the page and looked up at her father, looking for praise. "Good job, my little dragon." He pressed a kiss onto his daughter's hair.

-He will absolutely not allow you near the Velarion boys or any of their children. It doesn't matter how well meaning they are. This especially is the case with Lucerys/his children. If there is an occasion where you are going to be in close proximity then either he or Sir Criston will be near by.

Aemond was speaking with his sister near the Iron Throne. Everyone was in a good mood. But the brief spell of ease that temporarily settled over everyone was ripped apart, at least for Aemond, when he caught his daughter talking to Lucerys Velarion, Strong in Aemond's mind, and Lucerys's only son. Daerion Velarion was heir to Driftmark as both the son of Lucerys and Rhaena. He was handsome, athletic, intelligent and a fine catch for any young lady. Except that was never going to happen. Not in a million years and certainly not on Aemond Targaryen's ever enduring watch. In a moment Aemond was by his daughters side. "Pardon me nephew, but my daughter has more pressing matters." He placed a hand on his daughters shoulder.

[max1461]

To understand the history of Europe, to read the majority of the major works and sources in their original language, how many languages do you have to learn? How few can you get away with, while still maintaining reasonable coverage?

I think the answer must at least include Latin, German, and French. Maybe beyond that English and Ancient Greek, although these are less important.

How about Asia? Well, Asia is bigger, so how about East Asia? I think you need (Classical) Chinese, Sanskrit, and... Malay, maybe? And/or Japanese. Sanskrit isn't from East Asia but you need it to understand Buddhism and you need it to understand Hinduism which you need to understand South East Asia. Sanskrit is very important for South East Asia.

Japanese and Sanskrit are on my "already studying" list, Chinese is on my "high priority for study" list. So there's that. Malay, I've wanted to learn Malay since I was in high school. Have I mentioned I used to have the Indonesian national anthem memorized? Because I'm a national anthem head and also a little bit of an Indonesiaboo. Maybe I'll get around to studying Malay one day, if I'm lucky.

And part of all this, you know, part of all this is "getting it". It's not just about reading sources. It's like, ok, maybe you read a translation of something from a language you don't speak, but it's a good scholarly translation with footnotes. If a word is mentioned, can you pick out cognates of it in a language you do know? Do you have the cultural context to "dabble" in other languages of the region, not for deep fluency but just for like, the fact that even knowing a little bit of a language is useful. Like if you speak French and Latin already, well, it's not so hard to dabble in Italian and get useful reading fluency or whatever out of it. Hell, with my relatively poor Spanish + random knowledge of Latin roots, I can make reasonable sense of the average Italian Wikipedia article. You would be surprised at how far local contextual knowledge gets you.

Latin is on my priority for study list. French is not, I speak a little bit of French. German is nowhere I have no intention to study German, I don't like how it sounds, I don't like [ç] and lack of dental fricatives in a Germanic language feels like getting ripped off to me.

I could understand Europe and Asia, reasonably well, by the time I am dead. It's possible.

[omnilinguistlp]

⋆｡‧˚ʚ🍓ɞ˚‧｡⋆

nia. 18. she.

hi! my name is nia and i’m a first year language student studying spanish and german in university! i hope to be a translator one day.

i’ve wanted to create a langblr for a long time and am very grateful i now have the opportunity to do so! i’ve been a casual observer in the community and have found a lot of good resources here and i think a langblr would be a great way for me to motivate myself. please reach out to me if you’d like to chat about anything! i interact from @sparks4000 -`♡´-

୧ ‧₊˚ 🍮 ⋅ ☆

──★ ˙ ̟ languages !

❀ english: my first language!

❀ irish: i went to a búnscoil lán-gaeilge (irish immersion primary school) and have good conversational irish! i would like to improve my grammar and written but it is not my priority right now

❀ spanish: i began studying spanish in secondary school but only started taking it seriously a year or two ago. now i study it at college level and will be taking a semester abroad in a spanish speaking country! i plan on becoming fluent in the language as soon as possible

❀ german: i only began studying german this year at university but i do plan on carrying through with it and reaching c2 level by the end of university!

❀ norwegian: i am very grateful to norwegian as it was the first language i ever truly began studying independently when i was around 11! i’ve studied it sporadically for many years now and do hope to one day reach c2 level, but it is not a priority right now. mostly i just listen to norwegian rock music (which i loveee) and occasionally watch movies or dubbed cartoons

❀ japanese: japanese is by far my newest and most underdeveloped language. at this time i have no plans to reach fluency in japanese. i began studying it because i collect tamagotchis and want to be able to understand the majority of the language used in the exclusively japanese toys! maybe in like 5 years i will take it more seriously, but for now i prioritise vocab and reading

[valnyte]

Touko Kuzuha Route Review

a few things of note:

I mainly play the adult version; I have an alt account but it is the regular version)

I chose the 妖艶 ending as it was the one showed for the previews (at least in the adult PV); I can confirm that this end does continue to Kuzuha's current Christmas story event story

Based on the way my uni structured its Japanese language classes, I can only say my Japanese fluency level is around 中級 level but still kept a dictionary app by my side

I am not a translator and I will not be translating his route

keep in mind that this is MY opinion, you are free to have your own and read his route as you wish

Plot: 3.5/5 ★

Kuzuha as a character: 4/5 ★

Kuzuha as a partner in a romantic relationship: 1.5/5 ★ (I am being generous)

Kuzuha when it comes to smutty situations: 8/5 ★

MC: 2/5 ★ (Again, I am being generous)

Personal route enjoyment: 3.5/5 ★

tw: dubcon, self-harm

MASSIVE spoilers up ahead so read at your own risk

If I were to summarise his route in one statement its: one-night-stand turns into a friends with (medicinal) benefits relationship that becomes a situationship until these dumbasses finally learn that direct communication is perhaps the IDEAL solution.

Can you see why I want to squeeze him?

Starting with plot, it reads like a fluffy and spicy story, heavily focused on the situationship they landed themselves in which has the air of a romcom. Seriously MC, you just let this guy who you don't know very well crash your apartment and live with you? Just because you slept with him once and found him petting a fluffy cat later on? Kuzuha is incredibly unserious as well for the most part but it is entertaining to see whatever the hell he is up to with MC, if he's going to tease her or spoil her - albeit, usually in bed. Though truth be told, I could not really see much of the romantic chemistry between them, mostly sexual chemistry and understandably so. For a romcom-y theme, I was not expecting something too high stakes but I was actually kept at the edge of my seat once the story hit around the 3/4 point as something I did not even consider an eventual side plot would turn into. Everything before the 3/4 point was very rom-com with a side of magical healing. Storywise, things sped up really quickly after that point, but so did the resolution. I had no issues with the pacing thus far, but the resolution was a bit fast. Nevertheless, it was entertaining, and I will do his route again after hopping unto a fresh route.

Next, Kuzuha himself. Oh boy. Oh boy, oh boy. Wow, you really are a mess with a pretty face. His character profile labelling him "trash" [クズ] is not a joke in the slightest, he is one, and hell, he knows it with zero remorse. Even Tsubaki shit talks to MC in private that Kuzuha is a bit of a shit and neither of them will ever deny it. It makes sense that little pretty trashy kitsune becomes jealous of Ryo once MC brings the topic of her new co-worker/childhood classmate/first crush up. And it is because he knows deep down, he's not that reliable at all, save for his healing magic and his abundant sex appeal.

However as much as I will affectionately clown him, he does have his reasons why he's flippant, and everything ties back to him as the Kuzunoha kitsune. As kitsune, his liver is hunted down for the fact it has high healing capabilities, he has been hunted down in the past (by humans and youma alike) and even in the present (only by youma now), he does dislike the fact he is only seen as useful for this healing aspect. Not to mention physically painful with how parts of his liver have to be taken away and despite his highly regenerative state, its taxing to do. Moreso when it is not by his free will. Next, he is Kuzunoha from legend - there are many variants mind you, but Cybird x DMM did their own spin on it. TLDR how the legend is explained ingame: more than a thousand years back while he was being hunted down in fox form, he was caught in a trap, and he was set free by Abe no Yasuna. As gratitude, Kuzuha transformed into a beautiful woman and lived with Abe no Yasuna and the child of the latter, taking on the role of woman of the house/step in mother. A few years passed safely but then one day, Kuzuha's true identity as kitsune was revealed, and thus was chased out from the home, never seeing them again.

This then led him to the conclusion: "Love is not reciprocal. Either you take it, or it is taken from you."

Ouch.

And he does live with this conclusion set in stone for more than a thousand years until he meets MC and does not realise he is actively falling for her as the weeks go by when living with her. "Love is a one-way road," he said at the beginning. Not in this otome game, sir, it's only a one-way road because you're fictional.

All that aside, he has some very heartwarming sides to him. Despite his devil may care attitude and his love is never returned beliefs, he cannot change the fact he's genuinely compassionate towards others. It is bittersweet to read him filled with so much empathy for others cannot understand himself at the slightest. Healing MC's inability to sleep well in a very unconventional way when she didn't even ask for it at the start, to the point of actively being the one to stab himself to get a piece of his liver out to help save someone's life because he knows firsthand the pain and difference of a youma and human relationship. Characters who are a living irony of themselves am I right?

Not to mention that gentle side of his is further explored once he genuinely starts considering MC as a romantic partner. Still a big tease though .

But it does not mean he is entirely exempt from his flaws. I will address something that I did have issues with since the start: he technically coerced MC into going further with him in their first chapter. She was unsure about having sex with him at first but just a few heated moments later, one thing led to another then yup they screwed. By the time she realised it, it was too late as they already did the deed and she was shortly angry with him. Narrativewise, she was technically trapped in a "fuck him or your spirit disappears when the incense fully burns out" but he only told her that AFTER instead of the BEGINNING. Kuzuha... That is A CHOICE to make, and not a good one - considering you were the one who gave her the incense sticks in the first place 💀 Not entirely comfy with that situation even if he treated her gently. Sure he's the gentlest suitor in the starter pack, but that's just a little bit hmmmmmmmmmm. He has other flaws as well but that is my biggest gripe with him.

Would I consider him as a good romantic partner? Not exactly on that thread given how he has boundaries he wants respected but does not respect others' boundaries. He has a full point for actively looking out for MC and listening to her and responding to that at least. But he is 100% not the type of guy MC can show to her parents and get instant approval for a few other glaring issues.

This is how I see him maybe meeting the parents going in my head:

"So how did you meet?"

"Um..."

"What's your job?"

"Haha, about that-"

When it comes to sexy times in his route, there's a lot of very intensely heated moments, given his nature and the fact he's 90% in close proximity to her because he ends up living with her like a roommate/friend with benefits. Mugenro by itself has very lengthy sex scenes, and partially voiced so yes please do not be like me who forgets to turn down the volume 💀 He is a big tease, but once he knows how desperate she is, oh he's rewarding her a hundred times over. He's skilled, good grief, he knows it and makes use of everything he knows to send anyone to high heaven. Also outdoor sex does happen in one of the avatar challenges, yes I got it because I was curious and I am damn well not regretting it. Just saying, his voice getting raspy had me going, I need to hear this at home. Alone. Ehe.

Ok enough about Kuzuha, time to turn to MC. Girl... Because why. On one hand, I actively like the fact she's quite possessive towards him at the end, directly telling him there's a boundary he should never cross with her and he listens. But for the rest of the time, sweetie, there's a fine line being nice and then being trodded underfoot. And where is your common sense girl, you barely knew the guy and you're letting him crash at your place immediately? She has all the position to refuse him but nooooo. I cannot blame her for being attracted to Kuzuha with his debonair charm, but I do want to wring her like laundry sometimes with how downright idiotic she can get. Even she's not safe from being scolded by Kuzuha himself for running into a very dangerous situation. Maybe sit down with the blindfold from seeing the red flags for a moment and maybe come to terms with the different lifespans for a bit. Even just a little bit. I will give her a full point for taking on the usually active role instead of being passive and letting him make the decisions for her as she is more decisive than this free-spirited fox, but otherwise, ma'am you have a brain, don't let it waste away.

Overall, I did enjoy Kuzuha's route and will do it again to full clear everything, just not now. Not my true cup of tea, but he is arguably the nicest of the suitors so far and I am glad I read his route first. And because he's cute. If I make a plushie of him, he's going to become my new stress toy.

Have a blushie Kuzuha for the end:

K, bye.

[the-fiction-witch]

Quenya

Media - Rings Of Power Character - Elrond Couple - Elrond X Reader Reader - Y/n (Gil-Galad's Daughter) Rating - 12 Word Count - 947

Elrond reclined comfortably against the contorted branch of his favoured tree, its branches swaying gently in the warm breeze that drifted across the broad field. The sunlight filtered through the leaves overhead, casting dappled patterns on the parchment clutched in his hands. As he meticulously crafted a speech for high King Gil-Galad, his brow furrowed in concentration, the faint rustle of grass and distant melody of birds provided a serene backdrop for his thoughts.

He donned his familiar blue robes, the fabric flowing gracefully down to his ankles, reminiscent of a clear summer sky. His cloak, a rich deep blue that complemented his attire, was casually draped over a higher branch of the gnarled old tree beside him, its fabric gently swaying in the light breeze.

Muttering softly, Elrond considered each word carefully, searching for the perfect synonyms and evocative metaphors. He wanted to elevate the king's impenetrable image and portray him as a figure of wisdom and grace, rather than the brash and brutish persona that might emerge without Elrond's thoughtful direction.

“Ar so ni vanta bime i laire kal…” Y/n muttered,

Y/n perched gracefully on a sturdy lower branch of a sprawling tree, the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves and casting playful shadows around her. Dressed in a soft, flowing gown, the fabric shimmered like water under the sun. Her hair was elegantly tied back in intricate braids, and adorned with a gentle gold tiara that rested lightly atop her head. Clasped in her hands was a well-worn book, its pages yellowed with age, and she focused intently on the words, doing her utmost to read,

“…Ar so ni vanta bime i laire, úrin.” Elrond corrected her, “Not Kal, angel.”

“Humm…” she huffed,

“Do not pout, you are learning.” He laughed,

“I can’t seem to learn very fast,”

“And how fast do you expect to learn? Took me twenty years to gain fluency in all elven tongues you will not learn in three weeks.” He scoffed, he took a hand from his works and gently ran it through her hair, “You are doing well angel, do not punish yourself for your failures, celebrate the success.”

“I suppose so,” she nodded,

“Again, from the beginning,”

“Appanna-” she cursed under her breath,

“I heard that.” he glared down at her,

She blushed knowing she’d been caught,

“No need for vulgarity angel,” He warned,

“Sorry,”

“Contuine Angel.”

“I úrin came once tare ana pán- over i ettele, ar mornië aeg ana i cemen. An i wilya once filled as elena ilya aeg ana cemen cascading nar -esse wake, ar ilya tai polda fárea ana fight were gifted weapons -o i númen, sanda soldiers -o valanor, ar tai man could vamme n- hyarya ana either aid or sail ana safer shores. Sina ohtatimeár- raged pella enyalie some were nón- minna sina world ar even bearing witness ana mana began sina ohtatimeár-. Mal -esse times -o senda emme ilya prosper ar care- a world anew, ve ni vanta though i shimmering úrin ni cen- estel i mana na- sinya shall n- better then -yes voro was yenya,” she read,

“Very good,” He nodded, “Very good angel,”

“Umm… Do you believe so?”

“Believe what?”

“That the world will be more beautiful now Than it was before?”

“Perhaps, I am afraid the war mentioned in your book is long before my time angel,” he cooed stroking her head, “So I can’t say,”

“But do you believe it is?”

“I think, there are many in lindon and beyond who are far older than you and I, princess.” He began, “They look back at their past in a strange way, both a fondness for such a time and a hatred of it, always assuming things were better and yet worse.”

“Father always does that, says the world was far harsher when he was my age.” she nodded, “What do you think?”

“The world will always be new, whether it is better or worse is only for our memories to decide. But it shall be new regardless.”

“Hummm…” she hummed leaning her head against his thigh,

“Keep reading angel, you need more practice.”

“Must I?” she looked up with the saddest eyes,

“Do not pout, you asked for my help. Go on.”

“Fine….” she grumbled,

“Still baffles me you couldn’t speak Quenya,” he chuckled,

“My parents didn’t teach us it,” she shrugged,

“Whyever not?”

“They needed something they could talk in that we didn’t understand so they didn’t teach us Quenya, so they could talk without us knowing.”

“…That is evil… and genius.” He nodded, “where did all this intelligence in your father go?” he asked,

“It was my mother’s idea.”

“Ahh! That makes far more sense.”

“Umm very clever lady,”

“You are a very clever little lady too, Angel.” he cooed,

“I am?” she smiled,

“Yes you are,” he smiled, leaning down to press a kiss on her head, “Go on, next chapter. Then I’ll finish this off and we can go see your father.”

“Must we?” she sighed,

“We must,”

“Can I have some more kisses before we go?”

“Of course,” He let out a soft chuckle, the sound warm and comforting as he gently assisted her in climbing up beside him. Once she was settled, she rested her head against his chest. As he worked, he leaned down to kiss her forehead tenderly, his lips just brushing against her skin. With a playful grin, he gave her a small nudge,“Go on, read to me, my angel.”

She nodded, and continued her book, “Ar so -yes was i vast sinya world, a nór -o dreams ar estel built -esse sina world were sinya kingdoms nón- -o i valaina's kal ana n- kingdoms -o ullúme úrin, -o lissi laurië lillassea an ilya i elves ana túl ar ilya i would linger on…”

[phoenixyfriend]

Rex and Anakin Raise a Family 8

Chapter 8: Custody Visitation

The kids have a cousin, now.

Rex brings the twins to Anakin, and makes Mereel and Jango wait on the couch while they get the babies to stop squalling. They are upset, screaming, and red in the face. Rex doesn’t care what the Mandalorians want. The kids come first.

He hands Anakin a blanket to cover up while feeding. Anakin rarely minds people seeing him nurse the twins, but something in Rex hates the idea of Mereel and Jango seeing it.

“So,” Rex says. He keeps his eyes on Mereel, and doesn’t look at Jango. Shmi is pressed into Rex’s side and trembling. “What brings you here?”

“I think you know,” Mereel says. “You look rather a lot like—”

“Let me rephrase,” Rex interrupts, because he has no mind for being polite right now, “how did you know where we were, or that we even exist?”

Jango is fidgeting, but Rex can’t see details from his peripherals.

Mereel is stupidly calm, and Rex is jealous. “We heard rumors of someone wandering around in armor that had blue, black, and grey in enough of a quantity that we had someone come by to find out if there was Kyr’tsad in the area, see if maybe we’d stumbled across a new base. They found out you were here, heard you had kids and no interest in bounties or getting involved in any kind of politics or law, and then saw your face and realized… well. You look a lot like Jango’s father. We thought maybe an uncle, or something. Jango says he doesn’t know enough about his grandfather to know if there was any chance of his father having siblings he’s never met.”

It's the sensible assumption. Wrong, but the truth isn’t going to be anyone’s first thought.

“I don’t want to get pulled into your war with Death Watch,” Rex says. “I’m not putting my kids at risk for you.”

“You’re Mandalorian!” Jango bursts out. “So that means—”

“I’m not,” Rex says. He waits for a second to see if either of the people across from him will object, but they don’t. Jango is frozen, and Mereel is… patient.  Rex doesn’t like him. “My biological parent was a Mandalorian, but he never gave me or my brothers the grace of acknowledging us as his children, and the training we received may have been Mandalorian in culture, but we only got to learn the fighting and some of the language, but never to fluency, and never anything that wasn’t useful in battle. Even my armor is plastoid.”

“Brothers?” Mereel prompts.

“All dead,” Rex says. He ignores the wounded sound from Jango, like a little bubble of hope just got dashed.

Mereel makes a low hum of a noise, and says, “there are ways to become Mandalorian.”

“I’m not swearing the Resol’nare,” Rex carefully does not snap. “I am not swearing myself to you. Like I said, my own kids come first.”

The hand on Jango’s shoulder may well be the only thing keeping him from jumping up to pick a fight. Mereel is still so damnably calm. “I understand. That said, can we discuss some possibilities for having you in Jango’s life, as the only remaining blood relative?”

Rex purses his lips, and looks to Anakin. The twins, he thinks, are finished, and Shmi doesn’t feel as tense or scared as she did earlier.

“I’d prefer to have this conversation without the kids in the room,” Rex decides. Anakin twitches next to him. “Shmi, do you mind taking the twins to your room? If you’re okay with it, Jango could go with you and… I don’t know. Help you with one of your books? He’s a bit older than you, so he should know how to read.”

Jango looks offended. “I learned how to read years ago!”

I don’t care, Rex thinks. “Then you should be able to help her, yeah?”

Shmi leans away from Rex’s side to look at him, and then Anakin, and then back to Rex. There’s something calculating in her eye, but she nods. “Okay.”

She gets up, and grabs the hoverpram, and Anakin… well, he puts the babies down, which is more than Rex expected of him, honestly. He kind of expected a fight.

The kids leave. Anakin stays tense, and far away, and Rex listens for the closing of the door.

“So,” Mereel starts.

(Continue on AO3)

[jessaerys]

how many languages a character can speak is often narrative shorthand for intelligence so it is not surprising to me that it comes up often in wammy's house headcanons but i do find interesting that people often restrict the kids to perhaps three or four including their canonical english & japanese. perhaps throw in there a fanon mothertongue for mello since he is the one with the more foreign sounding real name and therefore exoticized. it's a very usamerican centric perspective imo given how unusual the usa's homogeneity of language is when contrasted to the rest of the world. being multilingual is relatively common really but especially in the global south where dialects vary greatly from location to location. i'd put five to seven languages still in the "very impressive but still in within normal range in the real world" level of ~genius~, BUT we are talking death note which runs on what you can call sherlock holmes logic (the characters are intelligent and therefore impressive because the writer who controls what deductions are right and which aren't, has willed it so) so personally i think it's in line with canon for both mello and near to be highly proficient in at the very least around a dozen languages for which they may have had formal education at wammy's (i don't think it's a stretch that more resources would be allocated towards the education of 'promising' heirs while neglecting those who aren't in the running. hey just like in real life!!!) not to mention there's also the matter of language maintenance & immersion; speaking any given language is famously a use it or lose it skill, but if we take into account that near is probably speaking with law enforcement and government agencies all over the world during the 5 year timeskip and mello is traveling all over the world they would have had plenty of practice. on top of that you can add another dozen languages that they have some level of fluency in that is either lost due to lack of practice or superficial in its acquisition to begin with. basically what im saying is: near and mello can and should be able to communicate in functionally whatever language suits them and when they are arguing they switch to the one that has the exact right flavor of motherfucker they want to call each other that day. near gets very talkative in creole when he's intoxicated. mello has a record for most curse words ever learned that no one will ever know about. japanese makes them far more aware of the structure of their rivalry. and that's not even getting into the semiotics of it all re: languages not only informing but creating the world around you and therefore subtly influencing your personality and sorry where am i what year is it

[nanonana39]

Language learning – Introductory tips for self taught beginners

Warning, this is a loooong read. Feel free to skip to the TL;DR at the end.

In this post, I will detail a few tips which have helped me (a self taught language hobbyist) with the beginning steps of learning languages such as English, Korean and Japanese. This is not a guide on how to achieve fluency quickly, it is meant to be an introduction to language learning. This is also based on my own experiences; feel free to disagree or correct me.

We will go over these points:

How do I start learning a language?

What should I use? Is an app better than online courses?

Do I learn grammar or vocabulary first?

How much should I study?

Should I practice immersion?

Where do I find resources/books?

I feel frustrated. / I am not learning anything. /This is too hard, maybe it's not for me.

How do I start learning a language?

This is the first thing you will ask yourself when you decide you want to start learning a language. Whether it is for work, for studying, traveling or just for fun, most people feel overwhelmed at the thought of how or where to start.

The truth is that there is no set path to start learning a language, but researching the language before studying can help relieve your worries over it and give you an idea of how to start. Keep in mind that languages which have different alphabets/writing systems (i.e. Japanese, Chinese, Arabic) take longer for a native Germanic/Romance language speaker (i.e. English, French) to learn and achieve fluency, and vice versa, so if you do not have a second language as of yet, consider choosing a Germanic/Romance language as a soft start. I'll detail a suggestion as to where to start in point 3.

What should I use? Is an app better than language courses?

The current language learning app ecosystem is a far cry from what it used to be (yes, I'm talking about Duolingo and Memrise), but they are still your main allies if you have a busy schedule and want to learn a language. However what I've found is that simply tapping away in an app and taking notes isn't enough – sometimes the apps don't explain certain grammar rules, or they're locked behind monthly paywalls. As such, you have to find the answers elsewhere.

Here are some things which will make your life and your studying much easier if you are self taught and on a budget: books on the language (for grammar, you can find PDFs online), language channels (for more thorough and practical explanations, YouTube is the main hub for it), and regular media in the language of your choosing (for vocabulary, it can range from music to series/movies). If you have a friend who speaks the language, or perhaps is learning it with you, that also works. In my opinion, learning is better when you have other people to share it with.

There are also websites such as japanesetest4you.com which compile words and their meanings, just like a dictionary. The one I've mentioned not only displays kanji and its meanings, but also shows its variants in Korean and Chinese. There are many others in this same vein for other languages.

Do I learn grammar or vocabulary first?

When learning a language, most courses and classes will focus on teaching you the grammar and the writing system, which while helpful, can sometimes feel like you are going nowhere, as you know how to build a sentence, but don't have words to form it with, or can't pronounce it correctly. This is a common problem among beginners (and sometimes even more experienced language learners), don't let it discourage you.

A personal example I like to use is: To say "the sky is blue", you have to first learn what the sky is, then learn the color blue, and then learn the structure to be able to say "the sky is blue". Vocabulary is just as important as learning the grammar rules in any language; don't limit yourself to only learning how to write. So the answer is: Build a small vocabulary, learn the grammar, and then apply it in practice. It doesn't have to be correct on the first try, we've all been there. Though people learn in different ways, so perhaps you might feel like the opposite works for you. That's also completely fine.

This is another point where engaging with the language's culture and media outside of classes comes to play. Even watching a TV program during your free time and writing down words is enough, since you're also practicing listening, which is also very important and looked over. Try incorporating pronunciation and listening into your studying routines.

How much should I study?

This is a point of much debate within language learning spaces because there is no answer for it. Some might learn a language in 3 months, others might learn it in 10 years, a few can learn it in 3 weeks. It depends on what language you've chosen and the time you are able to dedicate to the language.

The best tip I can give is: if you can dedicate even just 10-15 minutes of learning each day, you can achieve the results you desire. Of course, you should increase that amount if you're able to in the future, but it's already an effort.

Consider your schedule and refer back to the first point, as the time you'll take to achieve conversational/fluency levels can vary depending on the language you choose.

Should I practice immersion?

The common view of immersion is: "speak the language at every opportunity, only engage with media in that language, and write only in that language". This is what you'll see in some of those "I learned (language) in only 3 months" videos.

Let's be realistic though, no one can start speaking German at all times when they live in the US, or Spanish when they live in France, and you'll only feel more frustrated if you force yourself to watch k-dramas without subtitles and nothing else, expecting to absorb it through osmosis. And also, you only now started learning how to say "the sky is blue".

Immersion comes in many forms, though. If you listen to a song in the language you want to learn and read the lyrics while listening, that counts as immersion. If you write a few phrases describing your day in that language as a dynamic exercise, it also counts as immersion. Immersion is what says on the tin – immersing yourself in the language – but it shouldn't bring you unnecessary stress. Also, contrary to what some might say, I do recommend you use translators, if it helps you associate words with their meanings. Don't just rely on them, though, since Google Translate can be unreliable with certain translations and meanings.

Where do I find resources/books?

This requires digging around, but I recommend you check sites like as WebArchive and YouTube. If you can, buy the books online, or borrow some from your local library. I recommend looking for actual textbooks, mainly because some of them include tidbits about the culture itself, like Genki. If you're on a budget, Reddit has a few threads which recommend apps/books, but be very careful with downloading things from random Google Drives or other file hosting websites.

Tumblr is also a very good place for learning new vocabulary. I see some blogs dedicated to sharing kanji and grammar rules, and it can be good to follow such blogs to build your vocabulary.

I feel frustrated. / I'm not learning anything! / This is too hard, maybe this is not for me.

Rome wasn't built in one day, and you definitely won't learn a language in a month or two if you are someone who is in school or has a job with long working hours. YouTube has made language learning easy, but it also has given the illusion that if you follow X method or study an N number of hours, you'll achieve fluency. That is not the case. It fails to take into account the nature of the language, its grammar rules, the writing systems, and everything else.

You don't realize this, but you definitely didn't learn how to speak in just 3 months when you were a child. Everyone learns differently, some faster than others, some slower, some have more time to study, others don't. Some people have difficulty concentrating and don't know how to make learning more fun. All I can say is: don't give up. As long as you put in some effort, even if it seems insignificant to you, you can achieve your results.

Don't feel obligated to continue learning a language if it is bothering you, though. Remember you can always take a break and come back to it another time. Who knows, maybe even during that break, you'll still be learning new words, and feel more motivated to go back.

TL;DR: Language learning is something which is more accessible now than ever, but you might find yourself confused on where or even how to begin learning a language. The key tip for learning any language is to do research, gather resources, know your own limits and how much dedication, time and energy you can invest into learning, and most important of all, to have fun with it.

I hope this can help some beginners in their journey into language learning. Thank you for reading this far!

[sonkitty]

The Sideburns Scheme Post #69

(For reference: The Sideburns Scheme)

Crowley, Good Omens 2, Episode 5, The Ball, Mrs. Cheng invitation

...

Sideburns Check

The sideburns are short. This invitation takes place in the street, which is an open human space. They will stay short until Crowley confronts Gabriel later.

...

Brighter Red Streak Check

The more saturated red streak of hair is above the center of Crowley's left eye but easier to see when he starts to turn around since it goes up behind some hair in his front.

...

Hairstyle Changes

For hairstyle changes, the front hair goes up but does not as clearly curve to Crowley's right. Instead, it sweeps back a little as it curves to the right. The three tendrils that curved the other way have somewhat converged closer together from a front view and no longer curve the other way.

...

Red on Jacket

I found the red on Crowley's jacket this time.

...

Earthly Objects

(For reference: Earthly Objects | The Ball Invitations Checklist)

Now we have reached the third ball invitation to be done on camera.

Let's check in with the checklist.

This invitation is the first of two conducted in a foreign language. This one has a higher level of fluency compared to the next. It's informing us that speaking in a foreign language is an earthly object touch.

It is also very strange because it's based on accomplishing things for Crowley through transfers by extension and visual touches.

Aziraphale does all of the talking, of him and Crowley.

Aziraphale does not talk to Crowley.

Aziraphale does not look at Crowley, at least not obviously. But do you know what he does do? He has his left eye visually on Crowley's hair when Aziraphale tells Mrs. Cheng when the meeting starts.

So far as looking for Aziraphale with a possible illusionary touch over Crowley, his bow-tie is visually over the back of Crowley's right shoulder.

Aziraphale's lines are translated with subtitles, if one has subtitles turned on. The subtitles include a Hello and Mrs. Cheng's name.

...

Crowley does not talk to anyone.

Crowley looks at Aziraphale when Aziraphale turns around to leave the area.

The earthly object touch is probably a shared transfer through Aziraphale speaking a foreign language because Crowley is touching Aziraphale by leaning against him.

The self-skin-contact touch is Crowley placing his right index finger on his forehead. If it's from an earthly object, it's, I'm guessing, some trickery with shadows, his touch on Aziraphale, and a human wearing a shirt that has pineapples on it.

The self-clothing touch is Crowley folding his arms. Aziraphale's bow-tie is probably allowed to be the earthly object, given its placement. Crowley's left hand does show 3 of its 5 digit tips as he starts to move his right arm to unfold the arms.

For the self-mouth touch, Crowley is blurred and making one when Aziraphale gives Mrs. Cheng the time. He briefly opens and closes his mouth. As a possible extra something, he has a left-side dimple later when he is more clear and preparing to turn around.

Crowley makes a pocket with Aziraphale and the bottom of the screen as he leans on Aziraphale. Another pocket forms between them in a shot where the camera is more to his and Aziraphale's right. Crowley makes pockets with his arms when he moves to put his index finger on his forehead.

The cross is presumably the folded arms.

There is no reflection of Crowley. Instead, I am left to guess there is some high-level trickery through extension. This part is ridiculous and a bit long to explain so skip ahead to "Crowley's shadow" if you like.

In the first cut, behind Aziraphale and to Aziraphale's right there are two blurred humans looking at or through a window pane with one of them having their reflection in that window pane.

Passing by the two humans is the same human puppet from The Pocket Trick, Triple Part 2, whose shirt has some notable white. White keeps. He also wears brown pants. Brown borrows. This human is very likely using one or both pants pockets. He is walking away from where Aziraphale and Crowley are. Aziraphale has a visual touch on him first.

Yet another human is walking toward where Aziraphale and Crowley are. This human is wearing a blue shirt. Blue is the current color in the Rainbow Connection that The Pocket Trick uses. Aziraphale has a visual touch on this human in a blue shirt as he appears over the human puppet momentarily.

As both these humans continue at their paces, the human with the window pane reflection moves their left arm up and then down, further confirming that their reflection is there and clarifying whose reflection it is.

With the human with the blue shirt out of the way, Aziraphale has another visual touch on the previous human puppet, then the human next to the one with the reflection. The human next to the one with the reflection has a visual touch with the human puppet by the end of the cut. Both humans are conceivably using pants pockets though it's hard to be sure. Of the two of them, the human puppet is more likely to be using pants pockets.

To Crowley's left is a building with blue and a human carrying an orange bag.

In the next cut, Mrs. Cheng has little blue lights visually around and actually behind her as she replies and asks when the meeting will start.

With another cut, Crowley is shown with a visual touch to the blue of the building to his left and its window panes.

A pocket exists between him and Aziraphale again, this time more with their shoulders and heads.

When Mrs. Cheng waves to say she will be at the meeting, the blue lights are no longer behind her. They are to her right, and her hand manages to not visually touch them.

As stated, I am left to guess all of that stuff is supposed to build up to a reflection by extension. It's all very silly, but I don't think things like that human puppet being where he is was a mere coincidence. The same goes for finding the blue where it was.

Crowley's shadow is on Aziraphale's coat when Aziraphale turns around.

Light can be found in Crowley's sunglasses as he turns around.

...

Aziraphale and Crowley do not talk to each other.

Aziraphale doesn't look directly at Crowley. Instead, he "has his eye on Crowley" or one can imagine him looking at Crowley with peripheral vision. Crowley does look at Aziraphale when Aziraphale turns around.

They have a "correct" sides view for most of the interaction. They are visible from the front with Crowley to Aziraphale's left.

So far as their play is concerned, Aziraphale fully turning around before Crowley follows is sufficient to get a "wrong" sides view. That puts Crowley to Aziraphale's right instead of Aziraphale's left.

...

This ball invitation is a match to The Bigger Thresholds Trick. The three thresholds are behind Aziraphale and Crowley though Heaven's is not active yet. There are traces of hints to the touches involved for the tricks.

For example, Crowley is touching Aziraphale, but he does not let go of the touch. Aziraphale does. In the Single for The Bigger Thresholds Trick, the simple explanation is that Crowley never lets go of the door.

Shadows are relevant to the Triple, and Crowley's shadow is on Aziraphale.

I can't find anyone switching lanes, but I can find Aziraphale switching their sides by his turning around. He did switch their sides on exit from the pub in the Double of The Bigger Thresholds Trick.

...

Story Commentary

Mrs. Cheng has no visible physical touch on an earthly object. That's part of the clues that speaking in a foreign language counts as an earthly object touch. She'll have a fan with her during the ball where she speaks in English.

Aziraphale's physical touch on the clipboard does not appear until after Mrs. Cheng has accepted the invitation, and he is walking away. The pen is never visible during the scene.

Crowley has no visible physical touch to an earthly object either.

Unlike Mr. Arnold and Mutt, Mrs. Cheng is plenty willing to go and requires no persuasion to get her to the meeting that will be a ball.

This invitation takes place outside. There is no door involved. They are not on the sidewalk or an area like the one for Justine's upcoming invitation with a concrete ground between buildings.

...

That's it for this post. Sometimes I edit my posts, FYI.

...

Main post:

The Sideburns Scheme

[cripplecharacters]

Hello, I had a quick question about a character who experiences mutism! Said character is manmade (not quite a robot but that's the simplest way i can explain it), and is mute because his creator took away his speaker as punishment for defying them. After escaping and making friends with some humans (1 is hearing and knows 0 ASL, 1 is Deaf and knows ASL, 1 is hearing but dating the Deaf girl and knows sign from her), he overcomes the attempt to silence him by expressing himself with sign. A big theme throughout the story is individuality, particularly through him finding his identity in the human world after his escape.

I'm a little worried that this could be interpreted as "disability being given to a character punishment", or that it is a disrespectful representation of ASL. I myself am hearing, but have been learning ASL for a few years (not to fluency but I can hold a conversation)

Hi!

Yes, this is disability as punishment, and I advise removing it. Maybe because he is manmade, he just lacks the ability to speak as part of his design?

As far as ASL representation, I think this sounds fine! However, f your hearing character who doesn't know ASL is often with the people who do know ASL, I would be a little surprised if they haven't learned some.

I think this character "finding a voice" and an identity through ASL is true to a lot of d/Deaf experience of learning ASL later in life.

Mod Rock

[oodlenoodleroodle]

I'm watching a silly nonsense Chinese drama (Chinese speech, English subtitles) on Rakuten Viki, and I gotta say it is incredibly motivating to notice how much I can pick up already. Like even if its just basic stuff like 对不起 and 好吧 and 不可能 etc, its still Fluency At Every Level in practice.

I'm sure that hearing basic stuff over and over is reinforcing it, especially the pronunciation, especially especially the tones. But also like grammar things, I may not understand the sentences but I am noticing all those 了，吗 , ��� etc at the ends of those sentences, which will hopefully build up that sense of "this sentence needs a 了 at the end."

Also this is basically how I learnt English, watching/listening so much English tv/music/games, so if need be I'll just watch everything on that site and learn Chinese the same way :P (so far the only word I have picked up from this show is "island lord" which is not a useful word tbh).

[a-pop-of-korean]

hello i have a question about learning korean ^^

i started ( self ) studying it about two years ago but discontinued due to college and all, but now i want to pick it up again and i don't know where to start from? i know how to read and write, but i have issues reading in one go— basically i lack fluency in reading and i often stutter. is there any way to improve?

secondly, i do know some basic stuff however my vocabulary isn't vast enough. besides, i would like to understand the sentence structure, or how they write phrases and sentences since it's very different from english. i've referred to so many sites but there's always a question— do i work on vocabulary first or sentence / phrasing structure first? or do i study both of them along side?

this sounds like such a mess and it is because i'm so lost ┬┬﹏┬┬ my main goal is to understand korean shows without subtitles and i do pick up a few words and phrases here and there but there's a lot still left to learn and idk where to start from. moreover, i've noticed that the textbook korean and the one that's spoken in everyday life is way different ( this applies to almost all the languages tbh ) and i'm having a bit of a trouble trying to figure out how a native would say it?

or example, do this thing where i come up with a sentence and try to translate it just to check what it would be in korean and check in the translator to see if i'm right, and most of the time im not. whether it's about the formalities or the conjugations. basically a whole lot of issues so please if u can help ＞︿＜

Hello! If your goal is to be able to understand Korean content without subtitles, then I think self-studying grammar and vocabulary is a good idea. I know you said you already have some knowledge of Korean, so I would refer to my masterlist and start from wherever you feel appropriate. I also recommend diversifying your study material and looking at other resources on Tumblr, YouTube, and on the Internet elsewhere. There's a lot out there!

As for your second question, I think it makes more sense to study vocab and grammar at the same time. As I've said before in previous asks, I was never that disciplined with my studying, so I can't really give you concrete study techniques. I think I got where I am today by regular exposure (on top of taking Korean courses and studying abroad lol). But if you don't have those opportunities, using whatever resources on the Internet can get you far. As you get comfortable with both grammar and vocab, I recommend exposing yourself to content like webtoons in Korean and K-dramas. These will help you with your reading and listening comprehension. There are plenty of webtoons at varying levels of difficulty, and K-drama actors have clear diction that is easy to understand. Again, I don't exactly have concrete techniques for how to eventually ween yourself off of subtitles/translations (since I myself still use them), but in my experience, exposure alone is enough to at least allow me to read webtoons and watch K-dramas without relying super heavily on the translations. Consuming this content will also teach you how natural Korean is spoken by natives. I hope that makes sense!

If you're concerned about speaking, the best way to get better is to converse with others. You might not know other people who speak Korean, but you can still practice with others for free on Hilokal, where I used to teach live lessons. It's a nice, low-pressure environment that can help you get more comfortable with speaking and learn alongside other people just like you!

Also, I generally don't recommend using translators to help you learn a language, especially if you're an English speaker learning Korean. It's more useful for you to understand the meaning of the Korean itself than it is for you to get the perfect translation. Korean is especially difficult to translate into English (in my opinion), so a translator might not give you a clean, accurate, and natural translation. Unfortunately, I can't think of other ways to fact-check your sentences otherwise lol. But I think that looking at enough sample sentences will help you become better at constructing your own. And something that helped me feel more comfortable writing and speaking when I was abroad is that, even if I make minor mistakes, chances are that other people can still understand me. Maybe keeping that in mind can make the learning process a little less stressful :)

Maybe this advice isn't new for you, but I hope it was still helpful! Thanks for the question and good luck! 화이팅!

[the-expired-tofu]

The Devil's Trumpets | Pt. 4

|| A 'The Glory' fanfic || MINORS DNI [18+]

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************************************************************************

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a/n: Hey there, this is my first time writing a fan fiction. I might change a few things in my fictions later on. Also, my English isn't my first language so my writing might lack some fluency. Hope you enjoy :) trigger warnings: lots of swearing, bullying, murder, gore, depression, abuse, mature content, violence, sexual themes. pairing: reader x multi

************************************************************************

Moon Dong-eun

I drove back to Semyeong after meeting with Y/N. I had to get some of the things done before I go back to Seoul to tutor her niece. I parked my car in the parking lot where Hyeon-nam, an assistant I hired, was supposed to meet me.

        Months ago, before I met Y/N, I was outside the Semyeong Foundation’s chairman’s house where I was busy rummaging through his garbage to find some disposed documents I needed to get into the Semyeong Elementary School, that’s when I met Hyeon-nam. She told me that she worked for the chairman and that, she threatened me she will report me to him if I didn’t give her those documents back, but soon that idea was dismissed. Instead, we made a deal. In exchange of her helping me with my plans, I am to kill her abusive husband.

        This is where I found the opportunity to make her my assistant. Ever since then, she’s been doing each and every task perfectly without getting caught. We both decided to meet at an empty parking lot at the end of the day, only to not be suspected. She would get inside my car and leave behind some documents and photographs I order her to gather. She is the reason I was able to apply for the homeroom teacher’s job.

        Few weeks after meeting her, I told her to drive to Seoul and get me some info on Y/N. I always had my mind made up to execute my plans alone. No, am not scared of them. But as more number of people I get by my side, the easier it would be for me.

        Since she couldn’t afford a car for herself, I had a black sedan bought under my name and let her borrow it. Before doing so, she took driving lessons for a month. After getting her license, she tracked down the chairman and got me all the information I needed. She is exceptionally good at her job, most probably loyal too.

        “But what about the toll booths? Won’t they charge me?”

        “Don’t worry, this car is under my name. And anyways I have a tag attached to the windscreen, so it will get paid easily and you have nothing to worry about,” I point at the top right corner of the screen.   

        “Alright ma'am.”

        “Make sure you get all the proper information and take necessary pictures. I need to know everything, I mean everything. The place where she lives, the job she works at, whether she lives alone, everything.”

        “Yes ma'am.”

        I had a picture of Y/N from when we both studied at the Sung-han High school. As far as I remember, both of us left the school mid-year. She had the advantage of using her step-father’s money to change schools mid-year, while I had to dropout. Before she encountered those leeches, she had quite many friends, and so did I, but I was closest to Gyeong-ran. We were inseparable, until I became a target to them. Ever since then, she didn’t even bother to take a stand for me, help me, nor even look at me. She behaved as if I didn’t even exist. It was the same for Y/N as well. In fact, no students nor teachers helped us out. Except, we had a school nurse who really looked out for us. She even took pictures of our injuries to use it against the person who was behind this (she didn’t know it was Yeon-jin back then). Unfortunately, she left the school after she found out it was her. On the bright side, I didn’t lose those pictures. I have plans to use these against them in the future.

        Hyeon-nam got back few days after I sent her to Seoul. I told her I would take care of her husband Seok-jae and her daughter Sun-a while she was away with the excuse that the chairman sent her to Seoul for a few days for some work in order to get paid more. They undoubtedly got easily convinced. At first, she was scared that he might abuse her daughter since she would be away for a few days. I managed that as well as I sent quite a lot of money to Seok-jae through Sun-A to get him more occupied with gambling. With that, he didn’t even bother to touch Sun-A. I am still waiting for the right time to get rid of him from their lives forever.

        “I got everything you asked for,” she said as she hands out a transparent file to me. Few of the contents fall onto my lap from the folder. I raise my hand to halt her from collecting them.

        “That’s the apartment she lives in,” she points out to the picture I was holding. “And this is a fast food restaurant where she works,” she hands me out another photo. “I also found that to afford her university funds, she also did a babysitting job few years ago.”

        “Which university did she go to?”

        “The Seoul Womens’ University. She was majoring in Data Science.”

        “Wait, she did a job before working at the fast food restaurant for her college funds? Didn’t her mother send her the money though?”

        “Yes, because her mom thought she was grown up enough to afford her own bills so that’s why, she stopped depositing money into her account.”

        “Also why couldn’t she afford a cell-phone for herself when she was still at school? I mean, her mother didn’t stop sending her the money back then?”

        “Her mother simply said not to buy herself any phones, because if she did, she would stop depositing her any necessary amount Y/N might have needed.”

        “They lived separately yet controlled her life, told her to do what she was told, classic parenting,” I said.

        “You’re saying that she majored in data science. We have quite many reputable companies in South Korea that hire students who major in this. Then how come she began working in a fast food restaurant?”

        “Well, the university she graduated from isn’t very well known. And that’s why, companies rarely recruit anyone from there.”

        “I see,” I nod my head in agreement.

        “Also there’s nothing really comfy about the apartment she lives in, nor the job she works at,” I said after I handed over the pictures to her. “Did you get to know anything about the school Min-hee attends?”

        “Nothing much, it’s just that it’s very cheap,” she hands out an advertisement pamphlet of that school. “It’s a nursery school after all, so I couldn’t find much about it.”

        “Okay,” I place the pamphlet on the dashboard.

        I released the seatbelt and it slid up behind me. I looked out at the mist outside as it made the whole parking lot partially visible. The streetlights lip up the mist like a halo as if some smoke passed through it. Far out beyond the highways, I could see the glowing blue Jaepyeong Construction logo at the top of the building.

        “Alright then, you’ve done enough as for now. Make a few copies and give them to me the next time we meet.”

        “Why can’t I mail these to you-“

        “No. Someone might find out about us. So just do as I say.”

        “Alright. Good night ma'am.”

        “Drive off before I leave.”

        I got out of her car to step outside and close the door behind me as I walk towards my car. As I get in, Hyeon-nam turns off the light inside and drives off. I turn the key in my ignition and the headlights turn on to make a bright glow on the wall opposite to my car.

        I steer my car towards the exit and enter the highway. Am not going home yet. I will visit Y/N after a few days. I have another job to do for now. I drive to the place where elders play a board game called Go. Quite an interesting game. One of my acquaintances taught me how to play it while I was still enrolled in Euicheon. It’s a game of who occupies the largest territory, wins the game.

        The place where the elders gather to play Go is where Ha Do-Yeong goes to after finishing his work. Go seems like a favorite game of his. That’s where am going to. My plan is to intrigue him through my Go skills and make him fall right into my trap. He’s the key who will lead me to Yeon-jin, his beloved wife, a monster.

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