Reminder: There is still a prize -- either a one-hour online beginning Spanish class or editing and comments on a two-page document in English -- for the person who posts about the earliest starting date for kids' school (K-12).
My Responses: For some reason, all of my responses to your postings are labeled as being from How My Interests Developed. I've tried to change it but just can't. If you see this tag, please be assured that the comment is from me.
Ads: I've signed up for Google AdSense. Sometimes ads appear on the blog and sometimes they don't. And, if you use Internet Explorer as your browser, there is a space that seems to be part of a 'can't find server' message. I apologize for this but have been unable to get it fixed so far.
Spanish Vocabulary
Speaking of old business, I've been neglecting the snippets of foreign languages that I promised. I'm starting up again with more Spanish. Knowing what to say when you're introduced to someone can do a lot to create a favorable impression even if you don't really speak their language. I figure you'll catch the person's name even if you don't understand much else, so all you need to do is reply. Here's a short, easy phrase:
¡Mucho gusto!
It means 'much pleasure' as in 'It gives me much pleasure to meet you' -- short, simple and to the point.
Did you notice the upside-down exclamation mark at the beginning of the phrase? Spanish requires this and also an upside-down question mark at the beginning of a question.
Language Fun
Cognates are words that look and sound pretty similar in different languages and mean more or less the same thing. They also have a common origin historically, but that probably isn't important to most people studying a foreign language. For example, Spanish 'azul' means 'blue,' similar to English 'azure.'
Cognates are useful in foreign-language learning, but false friends are more fun if you don't let them confuse you. False friends are words that look and sound similar in different languages but mean something quite different in each one. You can find some examples from Spanish in an article called "Cognate" on about.com. You can also find some from many languages in a book called The Meaning of Tingo, by Adam Jacot de Boinod. One of my favorites comes from
Aukan, a language spoken in Suriname, where the word 'lawman' means 'crazy person.' I recommend both the book and the blog for lots of interesting language and cultural fun.
Language for Profit
Today I just want to ask a question in this section: How much extra (in currency or percentages) do you think someone who is bilingual should be paid? You can specify the language, the job, both or neither. I'm eager to hear your answers.
Word for the Day
Language Fun
Cognates are words that look and sound pretty similar in different languages and mean more or less the same thing. They also have a common origin historically, but that probably isn't important to most people studying a foreign language. For example, Spanish 'azul' means 'blue,' similar to English 'azure.'
Cognates are useful in foreign-language learning, but false friends are more fun if you don't let them confuse you. False friends are words that look and sound similar in different languages but mean something quite different in each one. You can find some examples from Spanish in an article called "Cognate" on about.com. You can also find some from many languages in a book called The Meaning of Tingo, by Adam Jacot de Boinod. One of my favorites comes from
Aukan, a language spoken in Suriname, where the word 'lawman' means 'crazy person.' I recommend both the book and the blog for lots of interesting language and cultural fun.
Language for Profit
Today I just want to ask a question in this section: How much extra (in currency or percentages) do you think someone who is bilingual should be paid? You can specify the language, the job, both or neither. I'm eager to hear your answers.
Word for the Day
boondoggle
When I checked the definition of this word to see if I had it right, I was surprised to find a secondary definition, which indicates its origin.
I use 'boondoggle' to refer to a project that is unnecessary or wasteful, often government-funded. (Think of the bridge to nowhere.) It also refers to a braided cord made by the
Scouts for decoration.
Well, it's now time for me to sign off. I hope to see you here again soon.
Ciao for now,
Eileen
When I checked the definition of this word to see if I had it right, I was surprised to find a secondary definition, which indicates its origin.
I use 'boondoggle' to refer to a project that is unnecessary or wasteful, often government-funded. (Think of the bridge to nowhere.) It also refers to a braided cord made by the
Scouts for decoration.
Well, it's now time for me to sign off. I hope to see you here again soon.
Ciao for now,
Eileen
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