Word for the Travel Wise (01/08/07)

by Adrienne Wilson on

There is something about Greek mythology that has always felt like a dream. I remember reading the far-out tales long ago on these super human men and women thinking how so-very unreal. This ancient greece.com site offers a brief summary on some of the principal Greek Gods starting with Chaos and works its way into the small bios of Eros, Pontus, Cyclope, Hades, and Apollo and so on. It’s a nice place to refresh if it has been a while and if you’re planning a visit to Greece to explore the mythology more in depth.

Today’s word is a Greek word from Greece:

oniro – dream

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, thello, foni, filaki, imera

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

by Adrienne Wilson on

Neil’s recent post on Screwy Aussie Slang brought it to my attention that I haven’t plucked a word from the bush in a while. If you’re off to do Australia on a shoe-string budget plug this Aussie Bush word into your vocab as it may come in handy.

Today’s word is a Bush word used in Australia:

humpy – bush dwelling using cheap materials

Hiroyuki Yokose does a great job outlining Aboriginal words used in Australian English like our vocab words from the past. For additional words you may wish to check out his findings. The Bangerang Cultural Centre is one of the first Aboriginal museums in the country and has a list of words online from this particular tribe. Wiki lists a large number of tribes and languages found in Australia which if you already haven’t set your mind on one in particular you can try picking one off their list. Try Lonely Planet’s Outback Australia guide for additional offline reading and trip planning.

Past Aboriginal/Australian words: cooee, yabber, bush telly, duffing, backblocks

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 (01/05/07)

by Adrienne Wilson on

The first work week of the New Year is over and I don’t know about the rest of you, but isn’t time to start planning a vacation? I think so. I’m exhausted, but not too tired to thumb through some good ole’ guidebooks. How about you? Vacation time?

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

vacances – vacation

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, ma reum (mère), pensées, vélo, croire, neige, cafard

Word for the Travel Wise (01/04/07)

by Adrienne Wilson on

Don’t ask me why I picked this word today. I just did. Maybe someone out there will want to woo a pretty Nigerian woman with a broken English and Yoruba poem or just shout it out loud as the only word they know. However, the last reason really should not be the case as I’ve provided a good handful of words to get you started if traveling in the country and looking to speak some of the native tongues.

Today’s word is a Yoruba word used in Nigeria:

yemoja – goddess of the river

English is the official language of Nigeria, which means any traveler should be able to converse and navigate their way from Lagos to Jigawa with ease. (Unless you don’t speak English.) The country’s three main languages include: Yoruba, Ibo (Igbo), and Hausa. Each of the three main languages are named after the people they belong to and carry several dialects within themselves. Motherland Nigeria has an incredible intro to the three languages, Nigerian slang and even a few examples of common Pidgin English spoken. Some audio samples are available as well.

Past Nigerian / Yoruba / Igbo words: ikun, feran, kedu, odabo, gabdun, jo, joko, ewa