Archive for July, 2008
Useful Words: Jobbig Posted by Transparent Language on Jul 29, 2008
In every language there are words that you either just love or simply hate for whatever reason. Personally, I’m not a fan of words that are difficult to spell, and unfortunately the English language is full of them. Like “assassinate”. The only reason I remember how to spell it is because it has two of…
Plural Ett Words Posted by Transparent Language on Jul 26, 2008
I have a foreign neighbor who reads this blog (hi neighbor!), and I think it’s very convenient that she does. She’s right under my nose, she’s learning Swedish, speaks passable English and is not afraid to ask questions. So I wasn’t surprised when she spied me out while I was taking my cats out for…
Blueberry Forecast 2008 Posted by Transparent Language on Jul 23, 2008
Come July and August Swedes change, and quite visibly even. One look at their hands and fingers and you begin to seriously ponder whether or not you are among madmen. Why? Their fingers are red and purple. Sometimes, their mouths are too. Yes, it’s blueberry season! Actually, no. Wait! Technically, it’s “bilberry” in English, Vaccinium…
På And More På Posted by Transparent Language on Jul 21, 2008
I went to the movies tonight with my friend and we saw “Hancock”, it was actually pretty good. Yes, I know, I know. This movie is old news in the US, but here it’s just opened and the theatre was packed. I didn’t even know there were that many people left in my town on…
Sommarstängt Posted by Transparent Language on Jul 18, 2008
The bus strike ended very quietly last Tuesday night, or Wednesday morning, depending on when you go to bed. Our dull and mundane reality has returned even duller and more mundane, if that’s at all possible. And why is that so? It’s July and that means that everything is closed. You think I’m exaggerating when…
Book Containing Nouns and Their Gender? Posted by Transparent Language on Jul 15, 2008
One of the readers asked a question about a book containing nouns and their gender. And that’s a very good question indeed. Most, if not all English-Swedish dictionaries are useless when it comes to indicating whether a noun is an “en” or “ett” word. And why is that? Have their editors forgotten the pains of…
Bus Strike Spreads to Västerbotten Posted by Transparent Language on Jul 11, 2008
Yesterday I wanted to see how the bus drivers strike looked like in Västerbotten, which is a province in Norrland where I live. So I borrowed a friend’s car (no buses running, duh!) and drove downtown. Why did I have to borrow a car if my own was sitting safely in its assigned space in…