Language Learning FAQs: Case and Verb Endings 1 - Overview

[iLingvo]

Esperanto has the world record for fewest verb conjugations - none. Whether we are talking about I, you, she, we, they, the same verb form is used with the pronoun. Verbs change only for tense and mood. Esperanto is as regular as possible, e.g., there is only one case ending "-n" for direct object. If you aren't used to case endings yet, just use a preposition instead such as "to" ("al" in Esperanto) for destination, or "je" when no other preposition fits. That's all there is to it.

[barsorrro]

I think that Steve's absolutely right. And as a native speaker of Polish (whose grammar is even a tad more complex than that of Russian), I can add that hardly any native speakers actually LEARN the paradigms or have a theoretical grasp of them as adults. I'm talking of everybody except philologists. So, we do train all the correct usage entirely through exposure. There doesn't seem to be any other pracable way to learn these languages.

[paisleyyama]

@barsorrro I agree. And even those of us who have been educated in the grammar, once we get out of school we forget it, but we don`t forget the usage or how to talk.

[iiMPR3SSiiON]

I found English as very easy language, because basically there is not much to learn except words and a handful of rules and phrases. But, for native English speakers other languages seem to be VERY hard, so they give up (not everyone, of course :) and that is shameful.

I really enjoy your videos due to their phenomenal informativity (if that is a word :)

[iiMPR3SSiiON]

It is really amazing, how easily you describe all the material. But, for example: Czech language is the hardest language in the Europe I would think (I speak Russian, Ukrainin and Czech perfectly). In Czech you have a lot, I mean a lot, more exceptions and during actual speech you have to take into account everything you have learnt during your life :) BUT! It is worth mentioning, that this language complexity is very useful in every way, because you can talk about subjects more precisely :)

[lingosteve]

@iiMPR3SSiiON Our ability to express ourselves precisely and accurately is not a matter of the language we are speaking, but our ability in the language and our desire to be precise and accurate. This is based on my experience in speaking and understanding 11 languages.

[UNR3S7]

1000 hours of listening? pshh! I easily have 3 times that of playing World of Warcraft :)

[DanieljTAH]

@UNR3S7 Did you ever consider listening while playing World of Warcraft?

[UNR3S7]

@DanieljTAH

I quit playing a few months ago, but that is a very good idea if I ever start playing again or for anyone else who plays.

[beensolongg]

@UNR3S7 you should quite before addicted.

:p

[beensolongg]

@DanieljTAH i would like to try, but why not?

[lucasburguer]

I liked this video because now I can understand 95¨% . I feel happy.

[SubjectAlpha100]

Thanks for posting this vid and the following two about declensions. I've always found them to be kinda scary. They often discourage me from taking up a language or going very deep into it. I tried to learn Latin and Anglo-Saxon, but the declensions freaked me out. I already feel my confidence growing.

Thanks big time!