Check out this post, and the subsequent Catherine Tate video. Osman talks about the differences in the tonality and expression of other languages as highlighted in the video. So what does English sound like to other people? Where are the videos making fun of English accents for non-English speakers? If anyone’s seen one, let me [...]
Posts under ‘Languages’
Speaking of text speak
I see that New Zealand have started to let students use text speak in exams where they are not required to demonstrate their use of the language. Have we already started down the slippery slope? Will linguists take a vow of silence? Stay tuned as the future unfolds before us.
Language evolution, the never ending debate
Things change, languages change, is it good or bad? This article discusses the arrival of Instant Messaging speak in schools. Students today are using it more as a form of note taking and it’s creeping into some assignments as well. Generally, this article is positive in that the students know when IM speak is appropriate and [...]
Only one more benefit, I promise
A Welsh study is currently looking into the ability of bilingual people to concentrate better. They propose that because of the need to suppress one language while speaking, this ability can pass over to other aspects of life. Bilingual people have the ability to suppress the small things and focus on the relevant so to speak.
How’s your memory?
I love languages, but I have to at least try to be unbiased. So here’s an article on first language attrition. The unfortunate problem when your new language pushes the native one out of your brain. It happens. I’ve even noticed it in the short time I’ve been living in Spain. I’m sure it’ll only get [...]
So you want to learn a language?
Immersion is the best path to take. Here’s an interesting article on one person’s experiences and their thoughts on immersing yourself in the language. From personal experience, I have to agree. I struggled through four hours of Spanish classes a week for a year before I came here and it’s no comparison to what I learnt in [...]
The things we do for love
What language are these women from Thailand learning? Guess. Wrong. Wrong again. Never in a million years. The answer: Danish. They all have boyfriends in Finland and are learning the language to communicate better with their partners.
So, if you want to learn Danish, but don’t fancy the colder weather…Thailand may be your answer.
Invest in your children’s future
Learning a second language is becoming more important in the international economy of today and the future. In the next decade, five of the top ten projected growth industries (government, leisure and hospitality, manufacturing, trade and natural resources and mining), all have a need for bilingual and culturally aware team members. With increases in exporting [...]
The language we all use but few know
Body language is said to account for about 90% of our communication. Not only is this useful for everyday situations, but also for learning languages. This will never be more apparent to you than when you are living in a foreign language speaking country…and never be more critical!
The good news is, we can learn this [...]
And the Oscar goes to…multiculturalism
After the Golden Globes I was about to launch into a post ranting about how foreign language films never seem to get the recognition they deserve. After the Oscar nominations were announced, I’m glad I held my tongue.
Babel is competing in seven categories, which is a good number for them since they use an impressive [...]