I have a theory (an unscientific one admittedly) that every language can be boiled down to just a few words:
For example:
Japanese:
sumimasen
hai
ganbatte
kawai
atsui
samui
chotto matte
taihen des ne
Hebrew:
rega/daka
balagan
savlanut
lo nora
nu
ke'ilu
This is not supposed to be serious, but just a subjective impression from living in Japan and Israel, and the words that I felt that I heard constantly when out and about. Would be interested to hear other people's impression of other languages, especially English, French Spanish. Thanks.
I guess I'm trying to say that these words go a long way. If you are new in a foreign country most of the time you're not saying or hearing, my name is ..., i'm from ... (which language courses usually start out with), but, excuse me, hold on, never mind, y'know, etc, etc. So if you're going to start somewhere, these easy lists would be a good place.
That sounds interesting. I have realized something similar in my native language - I use the same sentences - same words in the same structures most of the time. In other words, my knowledge of my native language is nothing else than using the same sentences again and again.
Yes, I see.