Word for the Travel Wise (07/30/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

A close pal of mine just took off to Germany earlier this week and I’m going to guess she’s probably not reading Gadling, but for those of us who didn’t make it this time looking to brush up on our German before heading out and over, this word is for you…

Today’s word is a German word used in Germany:

durchgeknallt – when somebody just lost it, blown

You can find audio and German slang at BBC Languages, who continue to impress on the online scene. They probably have one of the BEST FREE German language guides on the net. Make no mistake in passing this one up! When it boils down to it there are several good sites to learn the Deutsch lingo. Deutsch Lernen and German for Travellers are two other good picks. First Step World offers study abroad courses in Munich and Berlin.

Past German words: vorglühen(s), krieger, bolzen

Word for the Travel Wise (07/26/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

I don’t know what’s up with the weather these days, but it is hot as Hades these days and quite frankly it has me longing to escape. Right about now I’d give anything to be lounging on the shores of a shady palm-fringed tropical island. It doesn’t matter where so long as the wind tosses enough ocean mist my way to help keep the body temperature cool.

Today’s word is Kreyòl (Haitian creole) word used in Haiti:

chalè – heat

This Kreyol website features comprehensive cultural and travel info on Haiti. Their overall goal is to spread positive messages about the country and create positive images. Their online Kreyòl dictionary is one of the best! iCreole is a good place translation tool if you wish to know a word within seconds. For a fun look at some popular proverbs check out this Discover Haiti site. Make note that the Creole used in the proverbs is not that of the Creole spoken in Port-au-Prince. Lastly, leave it to good old Pimsleur to have audio books dedicated to learning Creole. Expensive, but you can also look for them in your local library.

Past Kreyòl words: evite, il/zile, voryen

Word for the Travel Wise (07/20/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

Each day I post a word that I find online somewhere that tickles my fancy or one I’ve pulled from my own very personal foreign language vocabulary bank, but what I’d really love to do is the whole immersion thing some place like Greece. You know, spend months soaking in sun from the sky and the sounds of the people… Ah. How good life could in Santorini for a few months. Don’t you agree? I mean, it doesn’t have to be Greece, but wouldn’t it be nice to get away for a while?

Today’s word is a Greek word from Greece:

thello – I want…

Online sources for learning Greek for free include BBC Languages and AGNI. The courses at BBC Languages are incredible. Probably one of the best you’ll find online and audio can even be found for today’s word by clicking here. Amerispan offers Greek immersion and language courses in Athens. Pretty pricey, but hey it’s Greece!

Past Greek words: toh karavee, Pascha, aigolios

Word for the Travel Wise (07/11/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

The closest I’ve ever been in my education on the Holocaust at a museum was in the Smithsonian, but I often wonder what the museums must be like in the countries where this dreadful atrocity occurred. Places like Germany and Poland… Auschwitz is most certainly one of those places that I’d like to go to get the full on effect of the experience while in a museum. I just can’t imagine sometimes.

Today’s word is a Polish word used in Poland:

do widzenia – goodbye

Interested parties can further their skills by visiting this Skwierzyna site for an Adobe PDF filled with excellent info and dictionary of Polish facts. Additional sites include Anglik for very basic info, Skwierzyna.net for additional links, and Angielski to learn Polish in Poland. Recommended pocket guides can be purchased at Lonely Planet. Download the word above and more at BBC languages quick fix.

Past Polish words: doswiadczenie, witamy

Word for the Travel Wise (07/10/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

In my younger years I wasn’t the type of gal easily wooed by a bouquet of beautiful flowers. I always thought, why chop something from it’s roots to tickle my fancy and brighten my home for a short amount of time. Don’t get me wrong, flowers are nice and I’ll kindly accept them as a gift, but it’s not really my sort of thing. However, I can spend hours on end in fields of colorful blooms and blossoms where they are probably happiest. Anyhow, to tie this in with our word of the day or at least the country of choice I picked Bulgaria because of its Valley of the Roses tourist site. According to their tourism bureau going to Bulgaria and not seeing the Valley of the Roses is like going to Egypt and not witnessing the pyramids. In other words it’s a big no-no.

Today’s word is a Bulgarian word used in Bulgaria:

mózhé bí – maybe

The Bulgarian lang falls into the Southern branch of Slavic languages and is closely related to Macedonian. It is the official lingo of Bulgaria and can also be heard in parts of Greece, Turkey, Romania, and Serbia to name only a few. To continue learning Bulgarian online head to BBC for the QuickFix with audio for the most common travelers phrases. EasyBulgarian online offers guides and nine lessons that help beginners learn the alphabet, correct pronunciation in addition to dialog from native Bulgarian speakers. Find a Bulgarian pal online to help with conversation at My language Exchange or pick up an Eastern European LP phrasebook for the road.