To celebrate spring time, let’s read a poem by French author Théophile Gautier (1811-1872). As always, a ‘perfect’ translation of a poem from one language to another is simply impossible. So all the more reason to improve your French! Try your own translation of this poem by Théophile Gautier and then check it against the English version we link you to at the bottom.

Premier sourire du printemps (Spring first smile); in Émaux et camées

Tandis qu’à leurs oeuvres perverses
Les hommes courent haletants,
Mars qui rit, malgré les averses,
Prépare en secret le printemps.

Pour les petites pâquerettes,
Sournoisement lorsque tout dort,
Il repasse des collerettes
Et cisèle des boutons d’or.

Dans le verger et dans la vigne,
Il s’en va, furtif perruquier,
Avec une houppe de cygne,
Poudrer à frimas l’amandier.

La nature au lit se repose ;
Lui descend au jardin désert,
Et lace les boutons de rose
Dans leur corset de velours vert.

Tout en composant des solfèges,
Qu’aux merles il siffle à mi-voix,
Il sème aux prés les perce-neiges
Et les violettes aux bois.

Sur le cresson de la fontaine
Où le cerf boit, l’oreille au guet,
De sa main cachée il égrène
Les grelots d’argent du muguet.

Sous l’herbe, pour que tu la cueilles,
Il met la fraise au teint vermeil,
Et te tresse un chapeau de feuilles
Pour te garantir du soleil.

Puis, lorsque sa besogne est faite,
Et que son règne va finir,
Au seuil d’avril tournant la tête,
Il dit : ” Printemps, tu peux venir ! ”

English translation (p.55-57)

One of the most watched Youtube videos in the Middle East is a video clip for a famous Lebanese artist, Nancy Ajram.

The song is called “Maashi Haddi” which translates to “While He Walks Next to Me.”

Try to read the Arabic lyrics and follow along.  The English translations are below.

ماشي حدي وبعينيك مدوب الكل حواليك
بنظرة هيك بغمزة هيك ولا حلوة بتفلت منك
وناسي اني بغار بجن خصوصي لو ضحكولك هن
انت تقبرني بتحن بيوقع قلبك منك
انا اجمل شب بيتمني بمشوار يشاركني
مش متلك انت مضيعني بحركاتك وملبكني
واذا حلوة بايدا بتوميلك يتلحقها وبتتركني
صدفه لو علي الطريق يسلم عليي شي رفيق
دغري رح تعمل تحقيق تسالني وتحاسبني
من ووين وكيف وليش رفيقي هوي ومن قديش
دوب وتعذب معليش صرلك عمر معذبني
انا اجمل شب بيتمني بمشوار يشاركني
مش متلك انت مضيعني بحركاتك وملبكني
واذا حلوة بايدا بتوميلك يتلحقها وبتتركني
ماشي حدي وبعينيك مدوب الكل حواليك
بنظرة هيك بغمزة هيك ولا حلوة بتفلت منك
وناسي اني بغار بجن خصوصي لو ضحكولك هن
انت تقبرني بتحن بيوقع قلبك منك

You forgot that I get jealous! I get mad! Especially if they smiled for you.
But you my love, you get carried away, you fall for them!
And me, the hottest guy wishes to go out with me!
Unlike you, you make me lost with your actions, and confused
And if a girl just gave you a sign, you’d leave me and follow her.
You’re walking next to me, but with your eyes, you’re driving the girls insane
A look over here and a wink over there. Not a single girl can escape your charm!
And if by coincidence on the street a guy friend said hi to me,
You would start an investigation, asking and blaming.
Who? and where? and how? and why?
He’s my friend and for a long time.
It’s okay if you get jealous sometimes. You’ve been making me jealous for a long time.

Spring (primavera) is a lovely season in Italy and in May (Maggio), there are many flower festivals or “simple” great gardens (giardini) to admire, from Lombardy to Sicily. From north to south, the Boot is covered with fragrant petals (petali) and green gardens. If you happen to be in Italy, check out these events.

FLORENCE:  Giardino di Boboli is a corner (angolo) of the Tuscan capital. Owned by the Medici family, the garden was considered for centuries the most sophisticated garden in Europe. Open to the public. Don’t miss it!

PERUGIA: Perugia Flower Show (May 24 to 26), the largest trade show in rare plants in Europe. There are at least 100 varieties of hydrangeas (ortiense), more than 500 types of roses (rose) and tropical plants, alpine, fat or carnivorous. The biggest names in the international floriculture are present.

NOTO: L’infiorata Noto, in the wonderful Sicilian town pearl of the Baroque. Go there between May 17 and 19. There are beautiful natural mosaics — made by hand by the master that prepares the flowers of the city — a cascade (cascata) of petals starting at the top of the town down to the streets.

There are also many idiomatic expressions attached to the season. Let’s start with some basics:

fiorire or sbocciare = to bloom

fiore = flower

cinguettio = chirping/tweeting (pronounced [cheen-gwe-TEE-oh])

raggio di sole = ray of sunshine

Una rondine non fa primavera. = (lit., One swallow does not make spring.) One specific event does not mean that a trend is going to start.

Now a spring nursery rhyme by the famous author Gianni Rodari.  Try to translate it and post as comment!

Viene aprile dopo marzo
io comincio a stare scalzo
con il vento sulla faccia
corro a lungo sulla spiaggia.

Needless to say that in Italy the “mamma” is an institution like in no other country. So it is no surprise that we have Mother’s Day (Festa della mamma), which celebrates the mother (madre) figure, maternity and social influence of mothers.

Mother’s Day was introduced in the 1950s by Raul Zaccari, senator and mayor of Bordighera, which was celebrated at the initiative on the second Sunday of May. Since then, every year, the nearby parish of Tordibetto officially celebrated the Festa della mamma with important events (eventi) of a religious and cultural center. In 1958 Raul Zaccari presented to the Senate a bill to secure the creation of Mother’s Day, which was passed.

There is not a typical gift (regalo) for Mother’s Day. Only two traditions seem to have formed: husbands usually bring flowers to their wives (granted they are mothers too). Sons and daughters, if they are attending elementary school, usually present a poem in honor to their mothers, prepared at school.  Very common are also cards, either bought or handmade by sons and daughters.

Photo credit: Thinkstock

One nice way to spend Mother’s Day is by watching a movie with your mom. Below are a couple of suggestions of Japanese movies that celebrate the relationship between a mom and her child.

The first is A letter to Momo (ももへの手紙 Momo e no Tegami). This is an animated drama directed by Hiroyuki Okiura. It was released in Japan in April 2012. The film features 11-year-old Momo, who is depressed because her father has recently passed away. Momo’s mother decides to move the two of them out of Tokyo to the remote island where she grew up, so that they can start a new life there together. Here is the trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpzecZnRI44

Another movie to watch on Mother’s Day is Chronicle of My Mother (わが母の記 Waga Haha no Ki). This movie is an adaptation of three novels by Yasushi Inoue. It was directed by Masato Harada and released in April 2012. The movie was awarded Special Grand Prix of the Jury at The 35th Montreal World Film Festival. Chronicle of My Mother recounts the relationship of an author and his elderly mother, whose memory grows weaker by the day. The movie is sentimental and beautiful. Perfect for Mother’s Day:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJMRSJ80bMs

If you don’t get a chance to watch either of these movies with your mom, you can at least practice your Japanese with her! Here are some useful Japanese words and phrases for Mother’s Day:

母の日 haaha no hi Mother’s Day
花 hana flower
カーネーション kaaneeshon carnation
お母さん、いつもありがとう。 Okaasan, itsumo arigatoo. Thank you always, Mother.

photo credit thinkstock.com

Let’s learn some spring vocabulary through a Chinese poem by 孟浩然 (mèng hào rán) called 春晓 chūn xiǎo - A Morning In The Spring. 

春 眠 不 觉 晓,  chūn mián bù jué xiǎo
Sleeping in the spring, I didn’t even notice morning has come.

处 处 闻 啼 鸟。 chù chù wén tí niǎo
You can hear birds’ singing everywhere.

夜 来 风 雨 声, yè lái fēng yǔ shēng
Last night there was the sound of the rain and the blowing wind,

花 落 知 多 少。huā luò zhī duō shǎo
I wonder how many beautiful flowers blew off in the wind.

孟浩然 mèng hào rán (689-740 A.D.) was one of the most famous poets of the Tang dynasty. He often portrayed the beauty of mother nature in his poems, using a simple and natural writing style.

Here are some words and phrases that will come in handy talking about spring.

• spring:春天 chūn tiān
• good weather: 好天气 hǎo tiān qì
• warm: 暖和 nuǎn huo
• comfortable: 舒服 shū fú
• a beautiful view: 美丽的景色 měi lì de jǐng sè

Do you know the names for the other seasons in Chinese?  Check your vocabulary with these flashcards on seasons and dates at our Language Lab.

According to registration statistics from Japan Kennel Club and American Kennel Club, most popular dog breeds in Japan and the U.S. are quite different. In general, large dogs are popular in the U.S, while smaller dogs are popular in Japan. This is no surprise – Japanese houses are much smaller than American houses!

Here are the top ten lists written in Japanese. Using the transliteration as a hint, try guessing what each breed is in English!

–Most popular dog breeds in the U.S.

1. ラブラドール・レトリバー raburadooru retoribaa
2. ジャーマン・シェパード・ドッグ jaaman shepaado doggu
3. ゴールデン・レトリバー gooruden retoribaa
4. ビーグル biiguru
5. ブルドッグ burudoggu
6. ヨークシャー・テリア yookushaa teria
7. ボクサー bokusaa
8. プードル puudoru
9. ロットワイラー rottowairaa
10. ダックスフンド dakkusufundo

–Most popular dog breeds in Japan

1. プードル / トイ･プードル puudoru / toi puudoru
2. ダックスフンド dakkusufundo
3. ミニチュア・ダックスフンド minichua dakkusufundo
4. ポメラニアン pomeranian
5. ヨークシャー･テリア yookushaa teria
6. パピヨン papiyon
7. シー・ズー shiizuu
8. フレンチ・ブルドッグ furenchi burudoggu
9. 柴犬 shibainu
10. ミニチュア・シュナウザー minichua shunauzaa

———————————————————————————-

Answers:
–Most popular dog breeds in the U.S.
1. Labrador Retriever
2. German Shepherd Dog
3. Golden Retriever
4. Beagle
5. Bulldog
6. Yorkshire Terrier
7. Boxer
8. Poodle
9. Rottweiler
10. Dachshund

–Most popular dog breeds in Japan
1. Poodle / Toy Poodle
2. Dachshund
3. Miniature Dachshund
4. Pomeranian
5. Yorkshire Terrier
6. Papillon
7. Shih Tzu
8. French Bulldog
9. Shiba
10. Miniature Schnauzer

1 cerveza (beer)
2 oz. jugo de limón (lime juice)
5 oz. jugo de tomate (tomato juice)
unas gotas de salsa inglesa y tabasco (a few drops of Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco)
sal (salt)
hielo (ice)

The preparation is easy. Put salt on the rim of your glass. Pour the lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce and tomato juice over the ice. Add beer to the top of your glass. Then, drink to Mexico!

¡Arriba, abajo, al centro, pa’ dentro! ¡Viva México!

こどもの日 Kodomo no hi Children’s Day is celebrated in Japan on May 5, and it’s a national holiday. It also happens to be part of ゴールデンウィーク gooruden wiiku Golden Week. This is a period of time in early May when we find four different national holidays close enough to have the whole week off from work. (Check out my post on Golden Week from last year!)

Back to Children’s Day; it is a day when families with small children wish health and happiness for them. Children’s Day was originally called 端午の節句 Tango no sekku. 端午 tango is a classical Japanese word that refers to the beginning of summer; 節句 sekku means season’s festival. The day was originally set aside to wish health and happiness of boys. (For girls, there is 雛祭り Hinamatsuri on March 3.) However in 1948, the government set this day to celebrate the happiness of all children as well as making it a national holiday.

Traditionally, families raise the carp-shaped flags called こいのぼり koinobori. The origin of carp flags is said to be the Chinese legend that a carp that swims upstream becomes a dragon. Thus, carp flags symbolize success in life.

Families with boys also place 兜 Kabuto, which replicates the traditional Japanese military helmet, in their living room.

The celebration also features some fun menu items: 柏餅 Kashiwamochi (mochi rice cakes wrapped in oak leaves) and ちまき Chimaki (which is extra sticky rice wrapped in a bamboo leaf) are usually served on Children’s Day.

For those who workout at a gym, here’s a list of “gym vocabulary” in Japanese. I’ve never seen this kind of vocabulary list anywhere. I hope you’ll find it fun and useful!

–Going to The Gym–

• ジム jimu  gym
• スポーツクラブ supootsukurabu  sport club
• ジムに行く (ジムにいく) jimu ni iku  to go to the gym
• 運動する (うんどうする) undoosuru  to exercise
• エクササイズする ekusasaizusuru  to exercise
• ジムの会員 (ジムのかいいん) jimu no kaiin  gym member

–Get Ready–

• ロッカールーム rokkaaruumu  locker room
• 着替える (きがえる) kigaeru  to change clothes
• 準備運動 (じゅんびうんどう) junbiundoo  warm-up exercise
• ウォーミングアップ woominguappu  warm-up
• ストレッチ sutorecchi  stretch

–Cardio–

• 有酸素運動 (ゆうさんそうんどう) yuusansoundoo  aerobic exercise
• トレッドミル toreddomiru  treadmill
• ウォーキング wookingu  walking
• ランニング ranningu  running
• 自転車 (じてんしゃ) jitensha  bike
• 心拍数 (しんぱくすう) shinpakusuu  heart rate

–Weight Training–

• 腹筋 (ふっきん) fukkin  abs
• 腕 (うで) ude  arm
• 肩(かた)  kata  shoulder
• 胸 (むね) mune  chest
• 背中 (せなか) senaka  back
• 太もも (ふともも) futomomo  thigh
• ふくらはぎ fukurahagi  calf
• 筋トレ (きんトレ) kintore  resistence training
• ウェイトトレーニング weitotoreeningu  weight training
• マシーン mashiin  machine
• ダンベル danberu  dumbbell

–Gym Class–

• ジムのクラス jimu no kurasu  gym class
• スタジオ sutajio  studio
• マット運動 (マットうんどう) mattoundoo  mat workout
• ヨガ yoga  yoga
• ピラティス piratisu  pilates
• 呼吸 (こきゅう) kokyuu  breathing
• 息を吸う (いきをすう) iki o suu  to inhale
• 息を吐く (いきをはく) iki o haku  to exhale
• 姿勢 (しせい) shisee  posture
• ポーズ poozu  pose
• フォーム foomu  form
• 仰向けになる (あおむけになる) aomuke ni naru  to lay on one’s back
• うつ伏せになる (うつぶせになる) utsubuse ni naru  to lay on one’s stomach
• 四つん這いになる (よつんばいになる) yotsunbai ni naru  to get on all fours
• 開脚する (かいきゃくする) kaikyakusuru  to straddle
• 曲げる (まげる) mageru  to bend
• 伸ばす (のばす) nobasu  to stretch
• つま先 (つまさき) tsumasaki  toes
• 足首 (あしくび) ashikubi  ankle
• かかと kakato  heel
• 膝 (ひざ) hiza  knee

–Wrap-up–

• 汗（あせ）ase  sweat
• 汗をかく（あせをかく）ase o kaku to sweat
• タオル taoru  towel
• シャワー shawaa  shower
• サウナ sauna  sauna
• 体重計（たいじゅうけい）taijuukee  scale