1933-11-29 — Page 7

HOW TO

LEARN

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1933.

A LANGUAGE

Mr. A. Bacci's Interesting

- Talk At Rotary Club

Chinese words te mixed together la the English dictionary. Ов taking an accurate inventory and consulting every word in the dic- tionaries of Robertson and Webs- ter, Mr. Thommeral has establish- ed the fact that of the sum total of 43,506 words, 20,853 come from classical 13,230 from Teutonic

ENGLISH PEOPLE HAVE ADVANTAGE and the rest from miscellaneous

Mr. A. Bacci, who is a master of many languages, gave an interesting talk at the Rotary Club yesterday on How To Learn A Language." His talk was fol lowed with keen interest and close attention by all pre-

sent.

Mr. T. B. Wilson presided and in introducing Mr. Bacci, said that the latter spoke French, Russian, English, German, Spanish, Japanese, some Mandarin and the dead languages of Latin, Greek and Old Slavish.

VOCABULARY

COMES BEFORE

GRAMMAR

Mr. Bacci sald:-This question as we all realise, to-day more than ever, needs urgent solution. The rapid communications af our mechanical era has put us in con- stant contact with our foreign neighbours countries which took us centuries to discover are unly a few days, sometimes a few hours distant from our own. East and West intermingle. Yet, in spite of all this, a very poor understand- ing indeed exists between people of different nationalities; to which the events of the past few years offer a tangible proof. I have a arm belleve that if a comparative knowledge of foreign languages were to be more divulged between the

different people, a greater universal understanding would be reached, and the many unneces- sary tribulations through which the world is passing to-day would be avolded. To know is to under- stand. To know a foreign lan- guage is to understand the charac- ter and spirit of the people and serve as well to reveal the char- acteristic of your own race.

No Talent Required, Whilst we all realise how im- portant it is to know a few other language in addition to our own. we hardly know how comparative- ly easy, it is to acquire such know- ledge. Here first we must combat a common prejudice thatų“ talent " is required, ***Talent" is a crea- tive power of the human intellect and is useless when learning & language, although it can be used once a knowledge is already ac-

quired for a happier expression for instance. Also, the idea that people of certain nations have more ability to learn languages than people of certain others, is not correct; we can say that some are koon and some others are not, Anyone who has been able to memorise the A.B.C., is able to memorise the language or lan- guages which he chooses to learn for the trick in learning a new language lies solely in our memory. Touching the practical sides of learning a new language. I would Like to point out how memory has

sources. On the evidence of its dictionary, therefore, and treating English ass mixed language, it would have to be classified, ac-

HELENA MAY MINOR CITY

INSTITUTE

FIRE

Display of Dancing Good Work by Fire

The pupils 01 Miss Winifred Henderson, Member of the Asso- elation of Operatic Dancing ei Great Britain, gave very in- teresting display of dancing yes- terday evening. The Helena May Institute was so packed that ex" tra seating accommodation had

Jack Frost, acted by P. Greenhill, and D. Sleap in, white satin were very graceful, and M. Félder in beauti- mauve georgette danced fully.

Brigade

The prompt action of two ofice boys in the employ of the "Dally Fress" prevented what might have been a big fire in the city yéster- day evening.

The flames from the shop at one time threatened to burn through the first floor into the "Daily Preas" office, but the two em- ployees referred to, lost no time in pouring bucket after bucket of water on to the floor where the

threatening to

to be provided. All the children At 6.26 p.m., a blaze was noticed looked wonderful and did their in- in the front portion of Vanity cording to Max Muller (a well-structress full justice. The Quaker Fair, a Arm of Shanghai tallers in known authority in Philological Dance was very coy, unfortunate-Ice House Street, housed in a ly both V. and J. Shannon were building the upper story of which studies), together with French,

absent owing to mumpa.

is the city office of this paper and Italian and Spanish, as one of the

of the well-known photographers. Romance or Neo-Latin dialects.

Messrs. Mee Cheung. But languages, however they are mixed in their dictionaries, can never be mixed in their grammar. We may form whole sentences in entirely af English consisting Latin or Romance words, yet whatever there is left of grammar in English bears unmistakable signs of Teutonic workmanship. That is the reason why we should never try to translate literally from our own language into the new one that we attempt to learn. Once we have mastered a language like English the task of learning a new one is considerably simpli- fed as we constantly find in the new language familiar words with the same meaning.

with other children that speak it. Now, a child's memory is no better than that of an adult, but a grown up person has acquired many pre-

Open to Everybody,· Judices which hinder such easy learning, one of which is the fear Practically everybody can, with of being ridiculed when poor lan-care, memorise ten new words a guage is used with bad pronun- clation All the prejudices that make us hesitate to learn any lan- guage must be cast aside An adult, in fact, has a better chance to learn a new idiom than a child because he can use his memory intelligently.

4.

Two Kinds of Memory. Our memory is of two kinds, either visual or musical. Some people have a better visual memory than a musical one, or vice versa." If we must have recourse to spelling in order to remember a new name or word, we can rest

assured that our memory is visual If, on the contrary a new word has impressed us by the peculiarity of its sound, our memory is musical. The majority of Anglo-Saxon have a visual memory while the Latins. usual memorise phonétically. Use any one of these two days peculiar

to each individual to memorise as many new words as possible in a new language.

I may also suggest that the as- sociation, of ideas is a help in learning new words. For instance --taking the

Bea" as a subject,

day.

Those who have a visual memory should write these lew words as large as possible on blackboard, in which manner I believe they are better impressed in our memory. Those that have a musical memory should repeat the new words aloud 50 ag to familiarise themselves with the sounds. In this way at the end of the first month we will know about 300 words. that we would know should be used in the present tense "only and not until later should the forms of the past and future be added. We should not attempt to learn any correct phraseology in the begin- ning but we should compose our

own

All the verbs

No. 5, entitled "Soldiers" was well rendered, D. Igglesden being particularly good as the Drum; Major.

eat

Their action, coupled

Number 6 caused much amuse- fames were ment as Miss B. Lee in the mid-through. die apparently had some misgiv- with the prompt arrival of the ings and gave one of her neigh- Fire Brigade, was responsible for bours a gentle smack The Welsh the outbreak being solely conîned Dance was one of the best of the to the shop where it started. afternoon, Miss L. Railton show- ing excellent form.

The Dutch Trio were very good and worked their clogs perfectly. The Irish Washerwoman WEA splendidly rendered by Miss Pasco who thoroughly deserved her en- core, as also did Miss M. Fleider who was distinctly the Danseuse of the afternoon, and a very en- joyable afternoon it was for a71 present.

W

to

It is not yet certain just how the fire started or the extent of the damage done to the goods in the

shop.

MOTORING OFFENCES

Numerous Cases Before Magistrate

able to acquire the perfect accent: Take for instance the French. Canadians: they speak the two languages perfectly because in- itiated at a nearly age.. Of course,,

For having left his car unaz

there are some exceptions

tended in the lane between the Office and the the rule. I know

General Post Russian 1 dramatic, actress, Miss PavlovR, Radio Office. Mr. G. P. Ferguson who arrived as a refugee, in Italy

was fined $5. Defendant explain- ed that he was not aware that in 1918 not speaking a word of

the place was not for parking Italian, and who in 1920, was not

place. only speaking a perfect Italian but had become one of the leading. actresses of the Italian stage, re- nowned for her beautiful scuent

His later years

Excellency Benito Mussolini conferred upon

simple phrases and prac- fice with them continuously until the new words are firmly impress-In ed in our memory.. Once this is

learn

3

Chlef Inspector Marks appear- ed as complainant in a sümmous against Mok Ming, the driver of a private car, No. 2551, who was fined 825 fox, dangerous driving.

The officer said that he was her the honorary citizenship of Rome. I happen to have known proceeding along Caine Road this lady when she arrived, and

from west to east about 8.40 m. once, during a conversation I told

on November 16. "When near the her a story which..at the time I

trame Ught at the Junction with had just dug out from an old

Arbuthnot Road. he saw defend- fournal: I refer to this because I

ant coming from the opposite belleve the story was instrumental

direction, "with another car im. in making this lady take up a new language and also. because Immediately behind. Defendant sud easiest method of acquiring a good

think it suggests the best, and

achieved we will find that, at the end of the third" month we will know enough words to sustain real conversation; and then the desire of better expression will automatically dirst our attention to the correct grammatical form. From this moment you do not need to memorise any new words, it leads us to the conception of

as every new word, that you will a boat, a fish, a harbour, a navy, a captain and so forth. By such hear once or twice in conversation association new words are much will impress itself on your memory easier to retain in our memory, without any effort from you. To accent in a foreign language, A knowledge of a few verbs will impart to the dead stock of me- morised, words, the life of a flow- ing speech. It does not matter how poor is the expression, the fact remain that you can make yourself intelligible in a new way. A great mistake is usually made at this stage which spoils the pre- vious effort and often discourages, Instead of expressing an idea in the most simplified form, one very often attempts to translate it from one's own language and the grammar of every language being so. totally differens, literally trans-

how to express yourself grammatically once you possess the main elements of a language. which are words, is a much easier task than to learn the words themselves. In conversation and only by conversation your ear gets accustomed to the proper forms of expression. Lectures, theatres (not cinema's) Church sermons should be attended as 'these im- prove one's ability of expression to a great extent. Only after we have grasped the rudiments of a new language can we attempt to polish it up by reading a drama I have never known anyone who

The story refers to an English diplomat of the last century who was appointed as a Consul in one of the cities of Africa. On receiv ing his passport. In the Foreign once he noticed that, by mistake, of course, instead of Africa, South 'America was inserted in brackets. As the paper had been duly signed by the Foreign Minister the newly appointed Consul, who was not devoid of humour, decided to take advantage of this mistake and in- stead of looking for "an African: city in South America he would give himself a holiday in Southern another and it so happened that one day he found himself devold of money and being loath to re- türn so soon he found the position of an English teacher in one of the French Schools. The "usual School method of teaching but the results were very poor, so much so that the director of the school gave him a virtual ultimátum- mless the pupils improved in their English he would not retain his job. Having very little hope of improving the children, who had

denly switched right across

the

road from left to right, and pull-

ed up on the wrong side of the road opposite a house...

Ng Kam-hung. driver of lorry No. 594, was fined $25 for having driven at 28 miles an hour in Shaukiwan Road.

www.

Mak Kul, a lorry driver, was foed 820 for having carried an excessive load of two tons on his lorry, and Mak Kau another lorry. driver, was fined $15 for having carried an excessive load of 27 cwt. Several other lorry drivers were fed for similar offences.

to be used, for the purpose. It is lated expressions are not only unstarted to, learn a language with France. One: adventure followed polcit' out that language cannot be

beyond all question that the de- sire of communication was the only force directly Impelling fan to the production of language. primitive man, hundreds of thou- sands of years ago, produced sounds which we would not call words any more, but are under- stood by all human beings to-day; these are quteries of pain sorrow

and joy.

Atavistic.

becomes

the

happy but often absurd.

Don't Translate/

& dictionary and grammar" whe can actually speak it unless it is Latin or Greek but those AIP

As a rule one must never trans-called dead. Our language books late from one's own language:

of the type of "My brother has

simple expressions continuously a black suit, but my sister plays used in conversation slowly take a the piano are both antiquated grammatical form by force of as-

and unpracticable. I have im- similation and imitation, which parted my simple method to many Invariably takes place when one

friends and always with success is in practice with people who

In a few months they were able speak the language. Grammar

to make themselves understood in The memory of a human being will then be intuitively under- the new language and it never is therefore atavistic. This atavis- stood, as it is by children. To took more than a year to know that' tic hidden treasure which we all study grammar in the first stages language thoroughly. Personally, possess has an enhanced attitude of learning a language is a hind-

with this system I have learned for the reception of cultivation.rance rather than a help. As soon

several languages. English is one By Tearning a Language

as you possess your faculty of com-

of them atavistic memory is refreshed bining a few hundred words into

English in One Year, and we will find the task of learn- even very simple phrases, curl- ing" is considerably simplified and ous phenomena takes place. Your When I arrived in Shanghat from eventually

practically stavistic memory gets refreshed Italy I scarcely knew ten words automatic. There are only three and words that you never heard in English, and those the inter main families of human speech.

before are suddenly understood by nationally used words like "Five 1.e.. the Ayrian, the Semitic and you-subtleties of construction of 'clock tea," "Dancing." Whisky," the Turanian; and every one of languages are revealed in their and such like. Three months later the hundreds of languages and

proper sense. I shall endeavour I was able to say whatever I meant dialects spoken to-day belong to to give an example: I am sure

and make myself understand, and 2 year after my arrival was All that none of us here could tell one of these main groups.

to the British and the words of one group of lan the difference between the words nominated guages have the same roots and

Mixed Courts where the official although phonetically sometimes

language, in English, considerably changed, the common origin can be traced and explain ed. It is obvious, therefore, that it is easier to learn languages of the same group than different languages of different gorups. Once one is compelled, or desires, to learn a new language, the group to which that language be- long has to be taken into con- alderation in so far as time is concerned, for it will certainly take much time to learn a lan- guage of a group which does not belong to the race of the pupil. Once such a necessity arises, how ever, as it often does in these days, we should without any hesitation proceed to the realisation of the study. We will never know too many languages, nor will it be too hard, I assure you, to memorise them. A child is apt to learn any language in a very short space of time, if he is left alone to play

much" and "very but you can hardly ever put in in place of the other. You can say "I am very happy," but not I am much happy" and on the contrary, you can say "I am much, misunder- stood" but not "I am very mis understood."

Words From Everywhere.. The more languages we know the caster it is to add a new one to our knowledge. The English people in this respect have, most probably, a greater advantage over other nationalities as their is a composite one. language There is perhaps no language so full of words evidently derived from the most distant sources for every country of the globe seems to have brought some of its verbal manufactures to the Intellectual market of England. Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Celtic, Saxon, Danish, French, Spanish, Italian, German nay even Hindustani, Malay and

new

Of course, by learning Language one.

Ands one insur mountable obstacle that is the pronounciation. A proper pro nounciation is the hardest thing to acquire and often impossible. It depends largely from the struc- ture of the throat which accounts for the different voices and in- tonations of people of different nationalities and races. If you have a good ear for voice you can detect behind a wall, even though not distinguishing the words, the nationality of the speaker. A hardly give the foreigner can right vibration to a word because the throat of an adult is not pilable to a certain extent, but

NEW STOCKS OF

Lincoln

Bennett

STYLE

HEADWEA

QUALITY

CCATIONA

HATS

PERFECTION

are only obtained by traditions built up in our factories by generations of experience giving that skill and knowledge neces- sary for satisfaction of individual needs.

All Fur Hats"

in, the smart 'may brim Style.

THE BEST BRITISH MAKE

17.50

Lest 10% cash discount.

LANE, CRAWFORD, LTD.

Hong Kong Agents,

NEW

COLUMBIA RECORDS

JUST ARRIVED

ASK FOR CATÁLOGÜE

The Anderson Music Co., Ltd.

Ice House Streat.

Tel. 21322.,

COMFORTABLE

&

ASSURED

SATISFACTORY SERVICE

BY

NEW MOTOR COACH SERVICE

THE CHINA MOTOR BUS Co., Ltd.

128, WHITFILD, NGAN SHING KWAN

CAUSEWAY BAY.

HONG KONG.

Managing Director :-

changed or moulded by taste, by This fancy or renlus of man. axiom is the real cause of our abortive attempt to create a uni- versal language-Esperanto. If a universal language will one day, span the universe it will be born beyond the control of the in- dividual but will depend on the co-operation of all those who form with him one class, one body To bring or one organic whole. this day nearer to realisation it is our duty now to learn foreign no desire to study English, he de-languagès, "for it is the only way which can make us realise that we vised a little scheme of his own which he thought would be highly all belong to one great, dispersed. amusing. He told the director but same family of men (AD- that if he would be allowed to plause.)

Sir William Hornell, returning a teach the children according to his own system, without interfer-vote of thanks on behalf of the ence, he could guarantee a sub-Club, said that he understood that atantial advancement in their Mr, Bacel was a jewellery. "I don't knowledge of the English language. say he has missed his vocation, be- From that day, instead of teach-cause the teaching profession is ing in the usual manner he would very badly paid, (Laughter.) I from a think the teaching profession has lost a very great exponent of lan- read extracts to them French book in French with the most characteristic English ac- guage in not having been able to I have cent. Then he would let the child- employ Signor Bacci. ren one by one imitate him. That listened very carefully to every was lots of fun for the class, of ward he has said. He told us the course and how they could difficulty of acquiring pronoun- fultate him! The result was that elation in foreign languages 15 the children acquired a very good great. All I can say is that that English accent and the few Eng- I have listened to several foreign fish phrases they knew were per-speakers at the Rotary Club some Of COUTBE. With more succèss: than others. fectly pronounced. every time they had to read sitting now in the comer of the French they could not get away room I did not lose one single word from imitating the funny English of what Signor Bacel said, 7 would teacher and by this time; having ke to say I agree with every become a public menace in the one of the principles he enunciat- eyes of the enraged parents. the ed. Never try to translate and poor diplomat had to flee where never be self-conscious. It is as- plenty of explaining was needed to tonishing what you can do with a convince the Foreign Office of his few words. I have never met: a search for an African City in foreigner who has derided myself. South America His clever ex- or any other Englishman of not Bir William concluded by ex- capade, so beautifully recounted speaking his language properly, in his memories is responsible for one of the best and easiest pressing the hope that Signor Bacci might be persuaded to give

a child can master It to perfec methods of Requiring a good pro- tion. It is therefore very import-nounciation in a foreign language, a talk at the University for the ant that children, as soon as pos- and one which it would be advia- benefit of lectures and teachers In the Colony on this subject. sible, should learn foreign lan-ible to follow. guages perfectly because they are In conclusion, I should like to (Applause.)

FAMOUS PEKING

CARPETS SALE

20% OFF

LAST 2 DAYS

IT 18 LAST OPPORTUNITY TO BUY YOUR RUGS

ORDINARILY OUR PRICE ARE LOW, BUT, WHEN LESS 20% THEY ARE THE LOWEST POSSIBLE.

SUPERIOR QUALITY WASHABLE COLOURS VERY WIDE SELECTION -

THE BIGGEST & RELIABLE PEKING CARPET FIRM

IN THE COLONY...

PEKING ART RUG CO.

87 NATHAN HD KOWLOO

TO CHOUER BT HONG KONG