Archive for 'Archived Posts'
An Introvert’s Guide to Language Learning Posted by meaghan on Jan 5, 2015 in Archived Posts
The abundance of language-learning materials available online has made it easier than ever to learn a language by yourself from the comfort of your own home. Total win, right? Not exactly… learning a foreign language isn’t like learning algebra or world history. To really progress and maintain your language skills, you need to do more…
A World of Words: the 2014 Words of the Year Posted by meaghan on Dec 31, 2014 in Archived Posts
As we wrap up 2014 and march boldly forward into 2015 (hopefully armed with lofty new language learning goals!), we are bombarded with a barrage of year-end lists and rankings. While I don’t quite care about the top 10 selfies of 2014, I do find one of the year-end campaigns quite interesting: the words of…
Setting a New Year’s Resolution to Learn a Language? Get Out of Your Own Way Posted by Transparent Language on Dec 29, 2014 in Archived Posts
As always, with the start of another year comes another opportunity to set a New Year’s Resolution. In theory, New Year’s Resolutions are big, ultra-goals that you set in January in anticipation of being a better, completely changed person come December. In practice, NYRs are poorly planned pipe-dreams that you set in January and forget…
How to Learn a Language When You Don’t Like Learning Languages Posted by meaghan on Dec 24, 2014 in Archived Posts
For some people, the process of learning a language is just as exciting as being able to speak it. They enjoy researching word origins, discovering conjugation patterns, comparing vocabulary and expressions from one language to the next, and meticulously perfecting their pronunciation. Then, you have the rest of us who just want to put the…
10 Daily Struggles of Learning a Third Language and Beyond Posted by Transparent Language on Dec 22, 2014 in Archived Posts
Guest Post by Jakob Gibbons On my blog Globalect, I share thoughts and stories about language, travel, and the many places where the two intersect. Lately my focus has been on language learning, as I’m working on my third language (Spanish) while getting ready for my upcoming backpacking trip through Latin America. I learned my…
Entering the Grammar Cave Posted by Malachi Rempen on Dec 17, 2014 in Archived Posts
“Grammar Cave: Curse of the Syntax” should be an Itchy Feet-themed text-based adventure video game, don’t you think? Old timey graphics, midi music…the many sequels, including “Grammar Cave III: The Conjunction Malfunction,” and “Grammar Cave VI: Detective Dative Makes the Case”… Anyway, what were we talking about? Right, grammar. While speaking, grammar can be a…
5 Shining Examples of the Art of Translation Posted by meaghan on Dec 10, 2014 in Archived Posts
To the unknowing reader, a translated text is simply a copy of the text re-written into the target language. This perspective fails to classify translators as what they truly are: artists. Sure, translating court documents may be more cut-and-dry (though I give serious kudos to anyone who has learned all of that legal jargon in more than…