Word for the Travel Wise (10/21/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

If I had more time I swear I’d sit in a huge kitchen and learn how to cook all my favorite exotic Thai, Peruvian, Japanese, and Indian dishes. The problem is I just don’t have the time. I’m on the go A LOT and while some of my hotel rooms are conveniently equipped with a microwave and fridge, trying to make tikka masala or anything curry is not likely to go over well. Anyhow, my daydreams of being a master of the cooking arts lead us to this word which some of you may wish to request less of depending on the dish.

Today’s word is a Hindi word from India:

pyaaz – onion

There are several awesome resources online to learn Hindi for free and a fee. Wikitravel Phrasebook provides many useful phrases to remember for your journey. Let’s Learn Hindi is a colorful place to pick up the basics and some additional tools. Those interested in reading Sanskrit can click here and Pimsleur has great audio books. To purchase a Lonely Planet phrasebook for the road, click here to head to Amazon.

Past Hindi words: pankhaa, Ravivar, lajawab, paisa, limbu pani

Word for the Travel Wise (10/20/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

Ramadan ends in just a few days and to keep up with cultural understanding and terminology of things we see in the Muslim world I provide you with this word. It’s an easy one and many of you probably already know it, but I’m sure there are a few stragglers out there not hip to the vocab.

Today’s word is an Arabic word used in Egypt:

hegab – woman’s headscarf

My Language Exchange is an excellent site in making friends across the globe while zoning in on the areas that give you the most trouble in your language of choice. While most services are free, contacting other members does cost a very small fee. Other learning tools for free standard Arabic online include this Learn Arabic site which has some remarkable lessons. The audio sounds a bit off for me, but they’ve got both the Naskh script (easy to read when learning the alphabet) and the Latin spelling of the letter. Babel Arabic is another good source. Planet Edu has an online listing of Arabic schools all over the Middle East, Africa and the U.S. Lastly, for purchase and a quick pocket guide there’s the Lonely Planet Egyptian Arabic Phrasebook.

Past Arabic words: wafin, akhdar, taeadol, shwiya, la bas, filoos, khwaga

Word for the Travel Wise (10/19/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

I just spent some more time looking over the BBC online language courses and was playing around with the Italian guides thinking these are really awesome free tools. I’ve referenced them in several of the word features and I can’t describe how great they are. If you’re serious about learning a second or third language I urge you to start with their programs and see how far you can go with them before hiring a private tutor or anything.

Today’s word is an Italian word used in Italy:

sono strafelice – very, very, happy

Seeing how popular the language is there isn’t much difficulty finding learning resources on the web. I’m a little unsure about what’s going on with this June29 site, but they have three very simple lessons to get your learning motors going. You might find the BBC your one stop shop in handling your needs. Dictionaries, lessons, audio, and slang are all included. Distance learning is always recommended in my book. Check out some of these programs abroad where you can study in various cities across the country and even Lugano, Switzerland. A few links to study abroad are as follows: Amerispan, World Link Education, and ILUSS. Head over to this Italian Book Store for suggested text.

Past Italian words: qualcosa, dov’é, congratulazioni, un riccone/una riccona

Word for the Travel Wise (10/18/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

As many Americans prepare for their great Halloween festivities and gather materials for haunted houses and what have you the folks in Laos prepare for something different. Like Halloween which occurs once a year, the That Luang Festival happens about the same time when the moon is full and the night is dark. However, it will be a large number of monks and people who travel to That Luang (Great Golden Stupa) to kick things off. How will they party it up? Well, the people will make offerings to the monks and when dusk comes thousands of people will revolve around the large golden stupa counterclockwise three times. It is said that this festival is the festival that unites Buddha and the people once a year.

Today’s word is a Lao word used in Laos:

bpii – year(s)

The Lao language is closely related to the Isan language used in the northeast region of Thailand and the alphabet resembles the Thai writing system, but has some differences. Wikitravel has an excellent online Lao phrasebook and probably one of the best free web sources you’ll find. Lao Connection also has some of the basics listed in addition to links to language products, fonts, CD’s, and software. Laos Language and Culture Learning Resources out of Northern Illinois University is an extensive guide on folklore, history, arts, literature and of course the lingo!

Past Lao word: nyang, men, pathet

Word for the Travel Wise (10/17/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

It’s been a while since I had a Latvian word and with winter right around the corner I’d like to suggest travel to the town of Sigulda. Known as a minor health resort and winter sports center it sounds as if you can get a very good back massage which should be much after spending a day on the bobsled run. See Lonely Planet’s short description of Sigulda.

Today’s word is a Latvian word used in Latvia:

mugura – back

To learn Latvian online for free you’ll need to be resourceful. Start with this Latvian Institute website full of info on the country and a short page dedicated to the lang and some common words which include axe, broom, pea, and beard. The Latvian tourism site has few, but far more useful in terms of greetings. If you’re more about face-to-face language practice head to the American Latvian Association’s annual meeting in April. As always find out who on My Language Exchange would be willing to help.

Past Latvian words: cirvis, dzintars