#context of visual language

[devilsskettle]

i think filmmakers really need to consider who their audience is also….. do you really think that people who like possession want it to be remade? do you think they are looking for modern filmmaking sensibilities and big name actors in the cast? do you think the people who didn’t like or wouldn’t watch the original movie are going to be interested in its remake? who is this for??????

[rigelmejo]

Something that always annoys me is the idea only 1 language learning method works. Which is not true. While it may be possible that, for a particular individual, only a few out of many study methods may work well enough for That Individual to make progress and stay motivated... that doesn't mean all the other study methods won't work for anyone else out there, or that those few methods will work for every other given person.

Obviously if you've been studying a while, then you already figured out what kinds of things work for you and don't. If you're a beginner, just wading into studying?

I would suggest you simply look for study methods that: 1. Teach you new things regularly, 2. Review and practice things you've learned, 3. Include studying things you need for your particular goals (for example if your goal is to read X book then the study materials at some point should involve reading practice and some words the book contains, if your goal is to talk about Y then the study materials should include some information about pronunciation and words you'll need to be able to say).

As you can imagine, a TON of study materials will meet these requirements. And you can study a given skill in a LOT of ways.

(Reading is my focus lol so just for reading, a beginner might: do vocabulary study with lists or conversations with native speakers or watching shows and looking words up or listening to dialogues with a transcript like in a textbook or graded readers or a picture book with word labels in the target language or a video game with labelled objects in target language, all of those things as long as your vocabulary is improving or reading practice is happening would help you make progress). So to improve reading skill as a beginner: you could study with a textbook, a podcast with transcript, a classroom or tutor with words written down in target language (like TPRS), a video game, a TV show and a translate app on your phone, a friend you talk with (who either writes words down or you look up words you hear with a translate app), a friend you text with, srs flashcards like anki (provided there's text) etc. As long as there's new words, and/or you're practicing reading, the study method may work. If it works will come down to if you can stay motivated doing it regularly, and make sure you regularly learn some new things and review/practice things you've already studied.

So consider those things when you see people selling a study method as a product (especially when it's costing you money). Consider if it teaches you NEW things, and are those new things related to your goals, and how MUCH new stuff will it teach you before you finish it? Consider if it provides review or practice, or if you can use it's materials to review on your own making up your own method, or if you'll need to do separate review/practice.

So examples:

LingQ. Can it teach you many new words? Yes, thousands, since you can import any texts you want when you get done with their provided material (I have no idea how much their beginner material covers though in terms of words... I would hope 1000-3000 words but that can be researched). Is your goal reading? It's suited to reading, so you will practice and review often with it. Cost? I think it was $12 a month when I last had it, and the price may have increased. Is it worth it? Depends on a learner's needs. I found it was wasting my money, so I chose to use free tools like Pleco and Readibu apps - since those apps are suited for Chinese learners and have better translations, Pleco has better paid graded reader material if I was going to spend money, and both Pleco and Readibu let me import texts so I can learn thousands of new words just like LingQ but free. Now that I'm not a beginner, I often use Microsoft Edge to read chinese... since I can still click-translate words easily (all my web browsers have that tool free), and Edge's TTS voice is helpful for pronunciation and sounds quite good. I read webnovels online so Edge works well. But it's translations aren't as good as Pleco or Readibu, so if I still needed translations more I would use them. So... is LingQ a good study method? Its certainly a study method marketed to buy. Well... the method is suited to improving reading skill, at least. It costs money, which is a negative, but it does offer a lot. However: everything it does regarding reading can be done free with other apps or sites or web browsers on their own. So if paying money motivates you to read... sure. LingQ does have a few word tracking features a learner may find worth the money, keeping in mind the actual read-to-learn method can be done free without lingq. (Also... while LingQ is a valid option for improving reading, if the learners goal is speaking then it would be important to think of what study activities the learner will do OUTSIDE of LingQ to improve speaking... because I've seen how LingQ is marketed as "how to learn a language" but it's only focused on some skills. It has vocabulary and grammar in some sense, since you'll read a lot and encounter new words and structures. But it doesnt have speaking or writing practice at least last time I was on it. Those activities would need to be worked on, on your own).

You can do that kind of cost/benefit contemplating with any study method material you see being sold. Amother example: there's a beginner Mandarin course called Mandarin Blueprint. It teaches like 800 words. Thats all. It may be worthwhile for a beginner... who still needs to learn 800 common words. But if you already know a few hundred words, the benefit of the course is less, you'll need to find a new material to teach you more new stuff soon. And the price was like a few hundred for the course... which for me personally was too much to spend, when I had already learned 800 hanzi from a book that cost me 12 dollars and 2000 words from a free user made memrise deck. The course claimed to get a person speaking, competent, but anyone not a beginner would say speaking basically with 800 words is nowhere near the level of working in Chinese or just doing a lot of daily life stuff, or reading/listening to media. (Although for the motivated beginner if you're learning 800 words on your own like I was, its definitely close to the point of jumping to learn more words and start reading kids and teenager books, and watching easier shows if you're willing to look new words up). So to me... Mandarin Blueprint felt like overselling some basic beginner materials. (Again when I know several other things that teach beginner stuff either more in depth so HSK test prep classes, and college courses, or that teach beginner stuff to the same depth as Mandarin Blueprint but free).

Some study materials aren't going to act like they teach everything. I've seen chinese courses just for learning to speak tones better and general pronunciation - probably worthwhile if your goal is to improve speaking and a teacher could help improve the issues your having. But a learner needs to be aware for that course that they'll need to study vocabulary on their own, its JUST a pronunciation improvement course.

[sysig]

Handplates and haircut and more Handplates after that (Patreon)

[adhd-languages]

how to keep motivation when language learning? i always lose interest a couple weeks after picking up a new language and i feel that starting to happen with my current one too

I try and find low-key ways to keep up the language until I’m feeling more motivated, and also try to incorporate my interests into the language learning.

For example, I’ve not been very motivated with Japanese recently. But I listen to a Japanese podcast to fall asleep, and I’ve been really into Sky : Children of the Light, so I’ve been looking for videos in Japanese about the game. I’ve also been playing stardew valley in Japanese.

I’ve kind of just accepted my interest in actively studying will ebb and flow, and it’s fine if I just learn a bit slower (taking breaks and then coming back to it).

I also find following lots of langblrs or studyblrs can help. Its a pretty supportive community and seeing other peoples excitement makes me more motivated.

Sorry if the answer isn’t super helpful 🙏 it’s super difficult to keep motivated studying for me as well.

[shitpostingkats]

You ever draw your character in an outfit that absolutely slays and then sit back and go

"Shit. The allos might read this the wrong way."

[llycaons]

honestly I don't really like the omniscient reader writing style. you can tell it's a translation, which I don't mind, but it's a little clunky. I kind of miss the art from the manhwa, but I want to finish the story and as far as I can tell, the manwha isn't complete

[josephkravis]

Busted By Your Emoji and MEME

That's right there are enough emojies and meanings to suite just about everyone. #kravis #midjourney

Emoji’s have meaning. Yeah, that’s right. Emoji’s and MEME have meaning. And I’m talking the simple image displayed has interesting consequences. Such that in recent tweets and court cases usage of emoji’s have appeared as evidence in court rulings. AND HAVE CHANGED THE COURSE OF TRADING MARKETS. And before I get to far along with this post, Emojis are in a sense copyrighted works off art.…

[misskamelie]

What do you know, my understanding of this foreign language is improving even if I'm not there to listen to it and use it, that's pretty good news :)

[heywriters]

Details That Convey Intimacy

Developing fictional relationships that feel authentic takes more than dialogue and grand gestures. Every detail below can be used to show platonic, familial, agape, or romantic love depending on context.

cooking a meal for someone, bringing them food, or spontaneously sharing a snack

sharing body heat/warming someone with outerwear like jackets and scarves

fanning them with something if overheated

getting a cold/hot drink for them

offering to carry something, whether it's heavy or just a jacket, to lighten someone's load or free up their hands

more below the click!

changing the subject of a group conversation that will be personally discomforting to someone in the group

making sure to include someone in a group conversation, especially if it's a topic they have special knowledge of

waiting for someone to catch up when the rest of the group has walked ahead

remembering preferences/allergies ahead of time when preparing/ordering food

planning trips, whether in a pair or as a group, that provide something positive for every individual to enjoy

procuring personal healthcare items like sunscreen, moisturizer, lip balm, pain relievers, or a snack and keeping them on hand for that friend who frequently needs them

making room for someone in a crowded vehicle or on public transit

making room for someone under an awning or in another limited space to help them avoid bad weather

warning or wordlessly covering for someone with a wardrobe/cosmetic malfunction

remembering a small luxury someone mentioned they enjoy, and getting it for them the next time it's convenient

running an errand for someone to make their day easier ('importance of errand : depth of relationship' ratio should be explored)

escorting someone to safety in a sudden unsettling event

escorting someone who is drunk, sick, infirm, injured, or emotionally compromised

asking if light, noise, or other sensory factors are bothering someone and taking steps to make them more comfortable

getting gag gifts for someone to show you reciprocate their sense of humor or quirky self-expression (not everyone does this, not everyone appreciates it, and some people predominantly express love through humor and gag gifts; works well with some characters more than others)

holding someone's hand or arm as reassurance, especially when they are afraid*

using their body to block someone from wind, rain, or heat

picking up a dropped item, or carrying a train or other dragging garment for someone else

returning a recognizable possession to someone who may have lost it

This is an inexhaustible list as humans have many ways of showing love for each other. If you are writing spec fic with non-human characters, you can play with variations on these by remembering three core values the "lover" has to consider:

physical comfort of others

emotional comfort of others

social reputation of others

I'd add "sensory comfort" though I think it's tied to physical and emotional comfort.

Please do not try and force any of these into the mold of the misogyny-based "Love Language" trend. Human emotions and expressions of love are diverse and endless.

*While hand holding can be construed as romantic, in reality it varies. Some cultures do not see this as romantic, and some individuals only mean it as a sign of support or compassion. Same goes for long embraces and kissing, both can be done platonically and of course naturally between close family members or friends.

---

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[blueheartbooks]

"Bridging the Mystical Realm: Exploring 'The Illustrated Key To The Tarot' by L. W. de Laurence"

L. W. de Laurence's "The Illustrated Key to the Tarot: The Veil of Divination" stands as a classic work that has guided countless enthusiasts through the intricate tapestry of the tarot. From the moment one embarks on this journey through the pages of de Laurence's comprehensive guide, it becomes evident that the author possesses a deep and nuanced understanding of the mystical world of divination.

The title itself, "The Illustrated Key to the Tarot," alludes to the invaluable resource that lies within these pages. De Laurence's approach is both scholarly and accessible, making this work suitable for both seasoned practitioners and newcomers to the world of tarot. The inclusion of illustrations enhances the learning experience, providing visual cues that complement the detailed explanations of each card's symbolism, meaning, and potential interpretations.

The book serves as a masterful introduction to the tarot, elucidating the origins of this ancient system and its evolution over the centuries. De Laurence navigates through the symbolism of the major and minor arcana with clarity, unraveling the threads of esoteric wisdom that connect each card. The historical context and cultural influences that have shaped the tarot are meticulously explored, providing readers with a holistic understanding of this divinatory art.

What sets "The Illustrated Key to the Tarot" apart is its practical approach to divination. De Laurence not only unveils the symbolic language of the tarot but also offers guidance on how to conduct readings. The inclusion of spreads, interpretations, and examples ensures that readers can immediately begin applying their newfound knowledge. This blend of theory and practical application makes the book a valuable tool for those seeking to deepen their tarot practice.

However, it is crucial to acknowledge the controversial nature of L. W. de Laurence, a figure whose contributions to occult literature have been both praised and criticized. His influence on the dissemination of esoteric knowledge is undeniable, yet his methods and business practices have sparked debates within the occult community. Readers approaching this work should be aware of the historical context surrounding the author and approach the material with discernment.

In conclusion, "The Illustrated Key to the Tarot: The Veil of Divination" by L. W. de Laurence stands as a timeless guide to the mystical art of tarot reading. Whether one is a novice seeking an entry point into the world of divination or an experienced practitioner aiming to deepen their understanding, this book provides a rich tapestry of knowledge and insight. De Laurence's meticulous exploration of the tarot's symbolism, coupled with practical applications, ensures that this work remains a valuable resource for those who wish to unlock the secrets veiled within the cards.

L. W. de Laurence's "The Illustrated Key to the Tarot: The Veil of Divination" is available in Amazon in paperback 13.99$ and hardcover 21.99$ editions.

Number of pages: 277

Language: English

Rating: 8/10                                           

Link of the book!

Review By: King's Cat

[blueheartbookclub]

"Bridging the Mystical Realm: Exploring 'The Illustrated Key To The Tarot' by L. W. de Laurence"

L. W. de Laurence's "The Illustrated Key to the Tarot: The Veil of Divination" stands as a classic work that has guided countless enthusiasts through the intricate tapestry of the tarot. From the moment one embarks on this journey through the pages of de Laurence's comprehensive guide, it becomes evident that the author possesses a deep and nuanced understanding of the mystical world of divination.

The title itself, "The Illustrated Key to the Tarot," alludes to the invaluable resource that lies within these pages. De Laurence's approach is both scholarly and accessible, making this work suitable for both seasoned practitioners and newcomers to the world of tarot. The inclusion of illustrations enhances the learning experience, providing visual cues that complement the detailed explanations of each card's symbolism, meaning, and potential interpretations.

The book serves as a masterful introduction to the tarot, elucidating the origins of this ancient system and its evolution over the centuries. De Laurence navigates through the symbolism of the major and minor arcana with clarity, unraveling the threads of esoteric wisdom that connect each card. The historical context and cultural influences that have shaped the tarot are meticulously explored, providing readers with a holistic understanding of this divinatory art.

What sets "The Illustrated Key to the Tarot" apart is its practical approach to divination. De Laurence not only unveils the symbolic language of the tarot but also offers guidance on how to conduct readings. The inclusion of spreads, interpretations, and examples ensures that readers can immediately begin applying their newfound knowledge. This blend of theory and practical application makes the book a valuable tool for those seeking to deepen their tarot practice.

However, it is crucial to acknowledge the controversial nature of L. W. de Laurence, a figure whose contributions to occult literature have been both praised and criticized. His influence on the dissemination of esoteric knowledge is undeniable, yet his methods and business practices have sparked debates within the occult community. Readers approaching this work should be aware of the historical context surrounding the author and approach the material with discernment.

In conclusion, "The Illustrated Key to the Tarot: The Veil of Divination" by L. W. de Laurence stands as a timeless guide to the mystical art of tarot reading. Whether one is a novice seeking an entry point into the world of divination or an experienced practitioner aiming to deepen their understanding, this book provides a rich tapestry of knowledge and insight. De Laurence's meticulous exploration of the tarot's symbolism, coupled with practical applications, ensures that this work remains a valuable resource for those who wish to unlock the secrets veiled within the cards.

L. W. de Laurence's "The Illustrated Key to the Tarot: The Veil of Divination" is available in Amazon in paperback 13.99$ and hardcover 21.99$ editions.

Number of pages: 277

Language: English

Rating: 8/10                                           

Link of the book!

Review By: King's Cat

[tossawary]

One piece of acting advice that has stayed with me for years in regards to both writing and drawing as well is: "Don't use the body to act what the character is saying. Act what the character is THINKING."

Like, as a very, very basic example: a character is apologizing by saying, "I'm sorry." But that line is going to look and sound different depending on what the character is thinking. Crossed arms and a sullen tone can mean that a character is actually thinking: "I don't mean it and also I hate you." A pleading tone and reaching out to take the other character's arm can mean: "Please don't leave me." A tired voice and slumped shoulders within context could mean: "I did what I had to do."

This is one way to begin to do "Show, Don't Tell" in storytelling. It is trusting your audience to see the depth and to catch on to the things you leave unsaid. It's fun to let the audience be observant and clever. It is also reflective of real life, where people are often scared of being vulnerable, or don't necessarily even understand their own emotions, or can't articulate their own thoughts, or have difficulty identifying the true feelings of the people around them, and so don't say very much.

There are exceptions to this advice, of course. In writing especially, rather than in a visual medium, some POV characters are very good at reading emotions from body language and others are not, and their observations in the narration may reflect this skill. Some characters will assume everyone around them is always angry with them or simply not pay attention to other people's moods at all, personalities which can also be subtly communicated to the audience and later used in the story in some interesting way.

Some characters have excellent control over their body language and tone of voice, because they are on-guard, highly trained in some fashion, or a very good liar. They will not easily communicate their true thoughts through their body language or their actions. Their lie can be so good that it can be slipped past the audience as nothing important to the plot until it comes back to bite. Their oddly perfect control over their body in a tense situation can instead maybe be used to indicate to the POV character and/or the audience: "Oh, there's something up with this person."

Body language will also change by culture and class and disability and so on. This clash can cause communication problems between characters, as a character's affectionate pat on the shoulder of another might be intended as casual comfort, but be received as overly intimate condescension. Different cultures / people can even have very different opinions on what level of eye contact and overlapping speech is rude.

This advice was originally given to me in the context of illustration and animation, in which it is very common for inexperienced artists to act out the words that the character is saying in mime-like gesture. In media for young children, we might choose to keep things very simple, as toddlers struggle to learn what it looks like and feels like to be angry or happy. But past that? People don't really behave this way. What we say and what we really mean are not always synchronized, and we can use the body to communicate this.

[prokopetz]

"Oh, great, another game falls prey to Yellow Paint Syndrome" well, gee, my guy, maybe if we didn't demand hyper-photorealism in every game regardless of context, modern platformers might be able to develop a visual language that doesn't require painting a sign on every single interactable feature to render it distinguishable from the clutter.

[sysig]

Got ‘im (Patreon)

[oflights]

helpful sites for writers

i have a little collection of websites i tend to use for coming up with ideas, naming people or places, keeping clear visuals or logistics, writing basics about places i've never been to, and so on. i tend to do a lot of research, but sometimes you just need quick references, right? so i thought i'd share some of them!

Behind the Name; good for name meanings but also just random name ideas, regardless of meanings.

Fantasy Name Generator; this link goes to the town name generator, which i use most, but there are lots of silly/fun/good inspo generators on there!

Age Calculator; for remembering how old characters are in Y month in Z year. i use this constantly.

Height Comparison; i love this for the height visuals; does character A come up to character B's shoulder? are they a head taller? what does that look like, height-wise? the chart feature is great!

Child Development Guide; what can a (neurotypical, average) 5-year-old do at that age? this is a super handy quickguide for that, with the obviously huge caveat that children develop at different paces and this is not comprehensive or accurate for every child ever. i like it as a starting point, though!

Weather Spark; good for average temperatures and weather checking!

Green's Dictionary of Slang; good for looking up "would x say this?" or "what does this phrase mean in this context?" i love the timeline because it shows when the phrase was historically in use. this is english only, though; i dig a little harder for resources like this in other languages.

[unladielike]

    "Ah, good! Then I guess I don't have to hurry too much. And about that... I use, 'spoons', as like a disability metaphor, but basically in English, it's another word for disabled people that describes the amount of mental and physical energy they have available to do every day tasks. This, of course, can range from brushing one's teeth to cooking," Vivian goes on to patiently explain. ...Though, considering her disability in question happened to be an invisible one, most might not immediately suspect there was something 'wrong' with her right away.

    Granted, they may get the impression she was slightly eccentric and a bit sensitive to the environment depending on either the weather conditions or noise levels, but outwardly, Vivian appeared to be your ordinary able-bodied girl. Still, before she could even contemplate on whether or not she felt like telling Mizumachi what her disability was, the kettle would soon whistle, causing her to immediately rush forward to turn it off. Then, with a spoon, she would grab the kettle and mosey her way over to his mug, before pouring the water in.

    Once enough water had been emptied from the kettle, Vivian eventually sets it aside on the counter top and begins stirring away until the hot water, milk, and hot chocolate mix were properly mixed together. Afterwards, she'll then yawn, slowly make her way back over towards where Mizumachi sat, and lay it next to the plate of waffles she had given him. "There you go! One extremely low effort hot chocolate, ready for your consumption," Vivian declares and without another moment's pause, she'll proceed to slide into the chair next to his. "To be honest, I think I might just buy myself coffee later; after all, I still have lots of spare change left in my wallet and I simply can't be bothered to grind beans today. So with that being said, I'll continue being your conversation partner!"

[水]

“Ohhh I like spicy foods sometimes, so if you ever make too much, I can help ya out.”

Ah? That was the thing about lingo, there were some things that just didn’t translate over well, and Mizumachi was still learning some things. He looks at Vivian with confusion, misunderstanding that she didn’t have enough spoons to cook.

“Are all the spoons dirty? Couldn’t you cook with a fork or something? Do you eat mapo tofu with a fork?”

If she didn’t have the spoons to cook it, then she certainly didn’t have the spoons to eat with. Unless she had a strict distinction between cooking spoons and eating spoons? Mizumachi was losing himself in some weird tangent all because he didn’t understand the lingo.

He takes a seat in the chair she pulled out for him and he patiently waits for her to finish in the kitchen. He’d wait for her to sit down as well before he dug in. You know, to be polite and all that.

“It’s all good, I can wait.”

She’s being nice enough to prepare something for him, so he can be patient and wait. He was enjoying the chat anyways, so he didn’t mind any. He was a sociable guy, so he was having fun!