Archive for May, 2014
Protecting Alaskan Languages: the Doyon Foundation 7000 Partnership Posted by Transparent Language on May 29, 2014 in Company News, For Learners, For Libraries, Learning Material Updates
Remember last year when we launched the 7000 Languages Project to bring our world-class web and mobile technology to the world’s other 7000 languages? Today, we’re excited to announce the launch of the Doyon Foundation 7000 Partnership, the latest initiative of the 7000 Languages Project. Though we may be donating our technology for this project…
5 Things for Adults to Keep in Mind when Learning a Foreign Language Posted by mtaulier on May 28, 2014 in Archived Posts
We’re all familiar with the famous adage “Children’s brains are like sponges.” People often make this reference to children in the developmental stages who are learning a language for the first time. It’s always amazing to see a child pick up a language just by listening. It’s even more amazing to witness children who live…
The Benefits (and Drawbacks) of Looking Foreign Posted by Malachi Rempen on May 26, 2014 in Archived Posts
As you can see from my profile picture at the bottom of this post, I’m relatively Germanic-looking: blonde hair, blue eyes, pasty white skin. This means I often get confused for an actual German person, usually by Germans. They’ll approach me on the street selling this or that or asking directions, beginning with a veritable…
Teaching Yourself a Language? Then Act Like a Teacher! Posted by meaghan on May 21, 2014 in Archived Posts
When you’re learning a language on your own, you have to play both roles: student and teacher. The problem is, while we’re all fairly familiar with being a student (for better or worse!) most of us aren’t too familiar with the other side of the equation. This imbalance can lead you into an ineffective language…
Language and Culture Barriers in Public Safety Professions Posted by rolson on May 19, 2014 in Archived Posts
Today’s law enforcement, corrections, and emergency services personnel are under immense pressure to perform daily duties in increasingly diverse environments. Linguistic and cultural barriers can arise, rendering routine operations difficult and potentially dangerous. Training personnel in languages and cross-cultural sensitivity arms them with the ability to better understand and interact professionally in an increasingly global…
Summer is Coming: 15 Fun and Effective Ways to Learn a New Language over Summer Vacation Posted by meaghan on May 14, 2014 in Archived Posts
That’s right, summer is coming, which means it’s time to soak up some sun, sleep in late, head to the beach, and laze around. But it’s also the perfect time to start learning a new language. With three-ish months of freedom from school and projects and exams, you’re sure to have plenty of time and…
The Thrill is Gone: Arabic, Italian, and Blissful Ignorance Posted by Malachi Rempen on May 12, 2014 in Archived Posts
Certain languages have a charm or magic about them which only exists so long as you have no idea what they’re talking about. I personally find Arabic to be the most aesthetically pleasing written script. There are a number of beautiful Asian alphabets, including ornate Hindi, swirling Burmese, and precise Chinese. But to me, written Arabic exudes an…