Language Learning Addiction Posted by Malachi Rempen on Jan 23, 2017 in Archived Posts
Language learning is fun, and it’s tempting to “collect” new ones along the way. But don’t lose sight of your goals. Finish what you start. Outside of my cartooning and blogging I’m also a photographer and filmmaker, and in the photography community there’s a psychological phenomenon known as Lens Buying Addiction (LBA). When it comes…
Three Idioms Across the World Posted by Malachi Rempen on Jan 16, 2017 in Archived Posts
In American English, “Joe Average” is your regular guy, “Nowhereseville” is that far-away town, and “when pigs fly” is practically never. Who knew these idioms, or similar ones, were common across the globe? Not much is more fun than transliterating idioms across languages – that is, translating them literally. By their very nature idioms are…
Transparent Language Online Receives Platinum Award for Second Year in a Row Posted by Transparent Language on Jan 11, 2017 in Company News, For Libraries
It really is a happy new year! We just found out that Transparent Language Online is receiving the Modern Library Award’s Platinum Award again this year. The MLAs were created to recognize the top products and services in the library industry in a truly unbiased format. Products and services were submitted in the fall using…
Language Learning is Cultural Learning Posted by Jakob Gibbons on Jan 9, 2017 in Archived Posts
Language learning is cultural learning, from the cradle to the foreign language classroom. It’s an often-repeated cliché in language learning that learning about foreign cultures is just as important as learning their languages. But what does that really mean for language learners? Already as infants each and every one of us finds ourselves navigating the…
Reducing Your Language Learning Baggage Posted by Malachi Rempen on Jan 4, 2017 in Archived Posts
It’s not easy being a beginner. You need a lot more to do a lot less – that’s as true in language learning as anywhere else. But like a seasoned traveler that packs less and less, you too will eventually need only your smarts. There’s a parable about beginners I’ve heard, and it involves cats…
10 Most-Read Language News Posts of 2016 Posted by Transparent Language on Dec 28, 2016 in Archived Posts
Happy New Year, language learners! 2016 has gotten a bad rap, but we love to look back on another year of posts. Whether you’re a long-time reader or just stumbled upon the blog in 2016, we hope our posts have been informative, inspiring, and entertaining. By now we all know the importance of reviewing, so let’s…
“Yes,” “No,” and Everything In-Between Posted by Malachi Rempen on Dec 26, 2016 in Archived Posts
“Yes” and “no” are not as simple as they might at first appear. Here are a few of the ways in which they can vary greatly across languages. You’d think that there would be no simpler words in any language than “yes” and “no.” I mean, those are basically the first words we learn as…