Word for the Travel Wise (05/19/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

Here’s a bit of world music news hailing from the country of Iceland – It appears Björk will be releasing a seven album box set titled Surrounded. The hot metallic pink dual disc set will include the artist’s full catalog in Dolby 5:1 and DTS surround sound including all music videos. (I know – be calm everyone.) For those arguing Björk’s position as a true world music artist need to get with it. If you’re in America and she’s from Iceland and some of the tracks happen to be in the Icelandic language, then that my friends is world music. I know I’m not the only one inspired to visit Iceland because of the artist!

Today’s word is an Icelandic word used in Iceland:

velkomin – welcome

Use this one during your travels as much as you can stand. I’ll be using when my own Surrounded box set arrives sometime in June.

In the meantime and from afar we will work on our vocab. Háskóli Íslands, one of the universities offers an excellent free starter course to learning Icelandic. Pictures, text, and audio for sample conversations are included. European Youth Portal points out other sources of study within the country and distance learning. I’ve met several speakers with My Language Exchange. Lastly, check out the BBC for a few easy phrases to help get you around the town.

Past Icelandic words: söngkona/söngvari, himnaríki

Word for the Travel Wise (05/10/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

Yesterday I got all wigged out about learning languages that challenge us a bit more or aren’t as widely spoken as the one I’m about to throw at you today, but not everyone is ready to jump on this bandwagon. So tonight as I order sweet smelling flowers for my mother for this upcoming mum’s day I’ll teach a word from a language just as sweet as all mother’s around the world. I’ll remember to start up my language revolution again tomorrow!

Today’s word is a French word used in France:

ma reum (mère) – my mum, mother

French is the third largest Romance language in the world in terms of native speakers according to the Wikipedia and is the official language of 29 countries. There are a number of places to learn French abroad which include Canada and Switzerland in addition to France. Amerispan offers immersion programs in all three of the countries and more info can be found by clicking here. Search other study abroad programs at some of these sites here: Coeur de France, Accord French Language School, and Transitions Abroad to name only a few. Swing over to My Language Exchange where you are sure to find someone willing to exchange their lingo skills for some of your own. Free online sources for learning French include France-Pub, French Assistant, and the BBC Languages.
Past French words: confiture, difficile, frottis

Word for the Travel Wise (05/06/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

I’ve been thinking a lot about the islands these days and I don’t know why exactly. My frequent flyer mileage is just to the point of letting me have another partially free vaca out on some sunny Caribbean beach, but which one and when? I won’t be making any decisions today, but I know this much – I want to go to an island where the national language is not English and I’ll be looking to spend two weeks at the very least. And just because I’m picking Haiti to bring you the word of the day, don’t think I’m marking it high on my list, but the other country sharing the same island space with a different lang is looking rather appealing. Until then I’ll keep on dreaming.

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

Voryen (n) – Vagabond (could also be used in Haiti as vakabon)

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

Word for the Travel Wise (04/27/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

It’s coming… The World Cup that is and it’s time to start prepping for the big journey over to root for your country’s team. Now in my mind there is no better way to cheer the team on than in your native tongue, but it’d also be pretty nice to know some of the local vernacular. To stay in the theme of things you can skip right over all the unimportant jargon like “Where’s the bathroom?” for something a bit more useful when you’re in the stands like “Go for the pill!” With the games approaching so fast there is no time to waste. Click here for cool World Cup phrases.

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

Bolzen (s) – To kick about. Playing just for fun in your spare time.

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

Word for the Travel Wise (04/25/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

Lee from Polo’s Bastards has just sent word that a writer has just returned from Mogadishu, Somalia and will be posting his story to the site soon. I can’t tell you how thankful I am for those who are unafraid to run off to places with such a bad rep and come back safely to report their findings. I don’t live vicariously through many people, because I’d like to say I’ve been there, done that and tackled the cold nasty world for myself, but these guys go all the places my mother would fall over and have a fit if I ever attempted. Why? Because they’re dangerous, so they say.

Today’s word is a Somali word used in Somalia:

khapar – danger

Since Somali isn’t spoken by a large population learning the language online for free will be a difficult task to accomplish. You maybe able to find an exchange partner online at My Language Exchange, provided there are Somali speakers registered with the site. Your best bet would be travel within the country, finding a local tutor or purchasing language software from African Language dot com. Their CD-ROM is priced at $99 USD, so may wish to shop around before buying.

Past Somali words: maxaad shektay, qaalin