2007-07-15 18:42:05 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
u would have to watch constanly and take some basic classes first and pause to identify each word. its hard.
2007-07-15 18:44:51 · answer #1 · answered by cs313 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Those movies can help you learn a foreign language but as the other person said, you will still probably have to take some classes to learn some basic grammar and words. After you have taken some classes, you might try to watch the movie without intensely reading the subtitles (just look at the subtitles if you really can't figure out what they are saying). One good thing about using foreign films to learn a language is that you can learn idioms that they don't teach you in class.
2007-07-15 18:47:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I took french for four years and I still barely understand movies.
Most people in school could tell you that ;-)
I do understand bits and pieces, the easy stuff, but there is a lot of grammar I've never heard.
The thing about learning the language is you can't rely on the subtitles or memorize what comes next. Because you only know it by the specific line (which may sound awkward i suppose, but you know what i mean?). Once you learn the basics, you can start to watch it. Movies definately help but they are no substitute for an actual lesson.
2007-07-15 18:51:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not really, you read the subtitles and don't hear the soundtrack. Watch the film without subtitles and you are listening to the language. If you like, watch the film with subtitles so you know what it is about then watch it without the subtitles and try to follow the story in the language being spoken. You will learn much faster that way.
2007-07-15 18:46:39 · answer #4 · answered by tentofield 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not really. Subtitles tend to translate incorrectly, or as close to english as possible. If you're watching a chinese subtitled flick, there's like 10 words for ghost, all with different meanings, but in english, they'll just write 'ghost'. It's easier for the viewer to understand, and there's just no word in english that can describe that particular word.
Plus, learning phrases does not teach you a language. You can't learn english by constantly repeating the sentence 'The Sun is bright outside', if you don't know what sun, bright, and outside mean.
2007-07-15 18:52:43 · answer #5 · answered by Joey T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not likely. U will be too busy reading the English to really listen to the language. U need to take lessons. A movie in a different language could help U practise but not learn another language.
2007-07-15 18:47:18 · answer #6 · answered by bhappy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is a very helpful way to learn a language but it should be used in conjunction with another learning aid, i.e. a book, an audio cd or taking a class. As with learning any new language, the more you are exposed to hearing it, the better it will be to learn it. However, if you want to learn a language fully, you must practice speaking it as well, listening will only get you so far. Good luck with whatever language you are pursuing!
May I suggest investing in Pimsler's language program. It is an affordable set of audio cds to help you understand and speak a new language.
2007-07-15 18:47:31 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes most definately! ... Especially if there's translation on the screen. I have watched many oriental movies with subtitles and have spoken the language for years and I watched them everyday (late night) for about 3-1/2 years. So yes, I would be able to say that it works because I learned a language I have no idea about and who to speak it to ... So definately you can do it also!!
2007-07-15 18:45:45 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well it would depend on what language it is in. Like for Spanish it would be fairly easy to catch words and phrases here and there if you really pay attention but for like some other languages like Japanese or Chinese would be much harder not only because pronounciation takes practice but also it would be hard to really tell what means what just from subtitles and listening.
2007-07-15 18:47:42 · answer #9 · answered by ღѕιηƒσηιαღ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, but only after a few viewings. Its better to watch in english with foreign subtitles. the brain absorbs information through the eyes a lot faster. you may have to work on the pronounciation later but that is the quickest way to learn the actual words.
2007-07-15 18:48:11 · answer #10 · answered by angus1745 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you might be able to pick up words here and there, but not enough to actually speak it fluenty. take some classes if you want to learn to properly speak the language. I've been watching kung fu movies for years and i still can't speak chinese
2007-07-15 18:46:50 · answer #11 · answered by Aiea Joe 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋