In honor of the United Nations Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development on May 21, we’re highlighting the Hawaiian language and the revitalization efforts that saved it from the brink of extinction. Hawaiian, a member of the Polynesian … Continue reading
In Other Words by Jhumpa Lahiri recounts a novel experiment in language learning. Driven by her long-standing passion for the Italian language, the bilingual Bengali-English speaking author moves to Rome with her family and completely immerses herself in the language: … Continue reading
Have you ever, in moment of frustration while learning a language, thought to yourself, “Wouldn’t it be nice if we all just spoke the same language?” You wouldn’t be alone in thinking that. L.L. Zamenhof also dreamed of a universal … Continue reading
Cognates can act as bridges across languages or, at least, stepping stones that help learners link their knowledge of their native language with a new language. They also serve as a reminder of a shared history and the mixing of … Continue reading
What happens when a Buddhist Monk, his assistant, a Kyōgen actor, a digital animation executive and two American tourists walk into a small open-kitchen, two Michelin star kaiseki restaurant in Kyoto? The answer, of course, is nothing, given the traditionally … Continue reading
On Earth Day, we take time to think about how human activity is affecting the environment and how we can work together to slow and reverse these trends. As part of this, you’ll probably hear about the dramatic loss of … Continue reading
Below are 5 of the most frequent mistakes made by learners of Japanese. If you want to sound like a native, be sure to follow these tips to avoid them! Continue reading
In English, we say someone is “barking up the wrong tree” to mean that someone is looking in the wrong place for something. It has nothing to do with dogs, or usually doesn’t at least, so why do we say … Continue reading
January 30 is Dia da Saudade. Saudade is a type of nostalgia, a longing for something you once had but have no more. It is also used to express being homesick, missing someone dear or feeling blue. Saudade comes from the … Continue reading
Hello!
Bonjour!
Konnichiwa!
Isn’t it amazing that they differ in sound, form, and origin but share a single purpose? To build a bond.
Beyond connection, learning new languages is an advantage when you are seeking employment, education, or even leisure in a foreign land. But we may also come across special discoveries that are not just about our cultural explorations but about ourselves. Here are seven life lessons that the journey of learning new languages can teach us: Continue reading