The Linguistic Origins of ಠ_ಠ and Other Unusual Internet Faces Posted by Malachi Rempen on Mar 21, 2016 in Archived Posts
Like me, you may have just recently starting bowing to internet pressure to put smileys in your e-correspondence – more and more, I get the feeling that without them, messages come off as overly serious. I hate myself for doing it 🙂 But in case you hadn’t noticed, the internet has long moved beyond colon-closedparenthesis to represent emotions in this…
Transparent Language Library Spotlight: Albert Wisner Public Library Posted by Transparent Language on Mar 16, 2016 in For Libraries, Library Success Stories
“A few years ago we heard how technology would make libraries obsolete. We have turned that on its head. Libraries have become the gateway to get access to technology. It has made libraries more necessary.” – Albert Wisner Public Library director Rosemary Cooper in an interview with Library Journal There’s a common misconception in America…
Language: As Convenient As German Recycling Posted by Malachi Rempen on Mar 14, 2016 in Archived Posts
I wrote this comic when I first moved to Germany four years ago. As you can see, I was quite…taken by the German obsession with proper recycling (I’ve since found that Switzerland makes the Germans look like filthy litterbugs). These days, I rather appreciate their green attitudes, and I wish more countries took on recycling programs…
5 Ways to Translate Your Language Skills into Online Earnings Posted by Jakob Gibbons on Mar 9, 2016 in Archived Posts
Last month we shared some tips on putting your languages to work on the ground, how to land in country X with nothing but a couple of bags and a few languages and start making money. But the really secret secret is that you don’t have to actually be anywhere to translate language skills into income. Globalization and the Internet…
Nose Papers, Christmas Blankets and Why Small Mistakes Make a Big Difference Posted by Malachi Rempen on Mar 7, 2016 in Archived Posts
My wife has started to say “tissues” now, and it breaks my heart. I always loved “nose papers,” even if she didn’t. From her perspective, I’m allowing her to speak the language incorrectly because it amuses me. I understand that. I get the same feeling when I say coperta instead of tovaglia in Italian, basically mixing up…
Introducing Teen Voices: Spanish Course Posted by Transparent Language on Mar 2, 2016 in For Educators, For Learners, For Libraries, Learning Material Updates
Each year during the second week of March, the Young Adult Library Services Association sponsors Teen Tech Week. The national initiative focuses on building teens’ digital literacy, particularly by encouraging them to take advantage of educational and recreation technology at their local libraries. To celebrate the impending Teen Tech Week, we’re launching our Teen Voices Spanish…
How to “Change the Air” and Keep Things Fresh Posted by Malachi Rempen on Feb 29, 2016 in Archived Posts
The reason the comic above was written as taking place “in Switzerland” was that I had heard of this curious practice of opening all the windows of the house to “change the air” from a friend, who at the time was studying abroad in a small town near Zurich. Apparently the mother of his host family would…