VIDEO: Everyone says I love you in 15 languages

by Meg Nesterov on


In case you decided to save your Valentine’s Day celebration for this weekend, you may want to show your Valentine how worldly and well-traveled you are and find a new way to say “I love you“. Traveler and photographer Kien Lam, who previously brought us the amazing Speeding Around the World in Under 5 Minutes, has made a special romantic video to capture the essence of love around the globe. Show Your Love shows us how similar love is, no matter the country, language, or medium, incorporating 15 different languages from Arabic to Braille to Swahili in love letters, music, texts, and other creative ways to express your feelings.

Show us your love and leave us a mushy comment in your native language!

Word for the Travel Wise (01/06/07)

by Adrienne Wilson on

Earlier today I was listening to KPFK 90.7 FM online during their Afro-Dicia program with D.J. Nnamdi and as I was swaying to the sounds of who knows what African artists from what countries next thing I know I was all ready with bags packed to leave tomorrow. (Wait, my bags are always packed.) This music and my friend’s recent trip tales combined are too much to handle right now. If you’re on a tight budget or don’t see Africa happening this year at least tune in on Saturdays to hear some good music from the continent. It’s not quite the same, but I rest assured you will enjoy it very much.

Today’s word is a Swahili word used in Tanzania:

kesho – tomorrow

Masai-Mara has a section devoted to useful Swahili and Kenya Travels has a similar list, but to catch the missing words between the two I suggest looking at them both. The Kamusi Project is the internet’s only living Swahili dictionary which has been suspended due to funding issues. Sad, seeing it seems like one of the best sources to learning the lang, but the if you’re willing to donate a few dollars you can help keep the website alive. To learn basic background facts about Swahili check out Wikipedia. Did you know the name Swahili comes from the plural of Arabic word sahel (singular) or its plural sawahil meaning “boundary” or “coast?” Just one cool fact I discovered during the first lesson I taught.

Past Swahili words: unasemaje, simu , asubuhi, zaidi, nzuri

Word for the Travel Wise (11/17/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

A good friend of mine is heading to Africa soon and while I sit wishing I too could journey to the land, I know he will bring back enough good stories to keep entertained for a minute. If I’m not mistaken, one of the countries in which he will visit is Tanzania. Lucky, dog… This word goes out to you and all your pals making the long trip over with you.

Today’s word is a Swahili word used in Tanzania:

nzuri – good

Masai-Mara has a section devoted to useful Swahili and Kenya Travels has a similar list, but to catch the missing words between the two I suggest looking at them both. The Kamusi Project is the internet’s only living Swahili dictionary which has been suspended due to funding issues. Sad, seeing it seems like one of the best sources to learning the lang, but the if you’re willing to donate a few dollars you can help keep the website alive. To learn basic background facts about Swahili check out Wikipedia. Did you know the name Swahili comes from the plural of Arabic word sahel (singular) or its plural sawahil meaning “boundary” or “coast?” Just one cool fact I discovered during the first lesson I taught.

Past Swahili words: unasemaje, simu , asubuhi, zaidi

Word for the Travel Wise (09/29/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

A friend of mine left for Nairobi earlier this month, but prior to heading out she was poking around Gadling wondering why there wasn’t more on Kenya? I agree, Kenya is definitely a place we should have loads of information about with so many people interested in the Masai Mara and other attractions I’m sure. Well– I’m sure she’ll have plenty of recommendations when she makes it back from her volunteer travels and I’ll be sure to pass them along.

Today’s word is a Swahili (Kiswahili) word used in Kenya:

zaidi – more

Masai-Mara has a section devoted to useful Swahili and Kenya Travels has a similar list, but to catch the missing words between the two I suggest looking at them both. The Kamusi Project is the internet’s only living Swahili dictionary which has been suspended due to funding issues. Sad, seeing it seems like one of the best sources to learning the lang, but the if you’re willing to donate a few dollars you can help keep the website alive. To learn basic background facts about Swahili check out Wikipedia. Did you know the name Swahili comes from the plural of Arabic word sahel (singular) or its plural sawahil meaning “boundary” or “coast?” Just one cool fact I discovered during the first lesson I taught.

Past Swahili words: unasemaje, simu , asubuhi

Word for the Travel Wise (08/06/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

As if traveling within the four time zones in the United States doesn’t get confusing enough telling the time in Swahili is something else. For starters Swahili time runs from dawn to dusk. Most of us operate on time from midnight to midday, but Swahili times makes both of these six o’clock. For example: 7 a.m. becomes hour one morning and so on. Just imagine the disorientation this could cause when traveling in countries like Kenya, Tanzania or Uganda.

Today’s word is a Swahili word used in Tanzania:

asubuhi – morning

Masai-Mara has a section devoted to useful Swahili and Kenya Travels has a similar list, but to catch the missing words between the two I suggest looking at them both. The Kamusi Project is the internet’s only living Swahili dictionary which has been suspended due to funding issues. Sad, seeing it seems like one of the best sources to learning the lang, but the if you’re willing to donate a few dollars you can help keep the website alive. To learn basic background facts about Swahili check out Wikipedia. Did you know the name Swahili comes from the plural of Arabic word sahel (singular) or its plural sawahil meaning “boundary” or “coast?” Just one cool fact I discovered during the first lesson I taught.

Past Swahili words: unasemaje, simu