Word for the Travel Wise (12/20/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

Looks as though this word could come in handy when passing through customs or when filling out paperwork at any important office where saying “huh” or “I don’t understand” might get you a nasty glance. Please people, make some effort to learn a little of the language before taking off.

Today’s word is a Cantonese word used in China:

chìm ji – sign here

Cantonese is mainly spoken in southern Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and by Chinese minorities in Southeast Asia. Check out Wiki for a pretty extensive historical look at the lingo. Cantonese Online – A Tribute is a colorful site packed with info which offers a variety of free resources to learning to this spectacular language. If you’d like to learn some street slang as seen in popular Hong Kong movies there is a book for purchase on this site here. Last but not least scope out or pick up the LP pocket-sized guide to keep you talking on the go!

Past Mandarin / Cantonese words: zhu ni hao yun, guo nian ha, mu di di, hao, xiang zi, zai jian, léui yàu, känt, jeuk

Word for the Travel Wise (12/19/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

Some of you are probably sitting at home scratching your heads thinking, what ever can you get the nice Gadling lady who often brings you new food for thought? Yes, well with the last Hindi word I sort of hinted at a fine gift idea, but for those who didn’t catch my drift I could certainly use a cookbook. Why, just last week I was thinking how great it would be to make tandoori chicken in the comfort of my own home if only I knew how and had that special oven. (Double-hint.)

Today’s word is a Hindi word from India:

murgee – poultry

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, pyaaz

Word for the Travel Wise (12/18/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

Should your 2007 Carnival plans be in full swing with the exception of where you’re going to crash every night after partying throughout the day or vice versa, consider renting an apartment during your stay. If you do, make sure you use the local terminology to score your cozy tropical island escape pad. I’m told it is one of the best ways to go.

Today’s word is a slang word used in Trinidad & Tobago:

bachie – apartment for a single person or bachelor

Lucky for me I was able to stay at friend’s during the past Carnival season, but if I had to do it again I’d probably get a place of my own. That way I won’t disturb my resting non-masquerading friend with my late night/early morning entrance into the apartment every time. Though it seems the whole country is out shaking their bum-bum round and round there are still some people in the world that prefer not to dress skimpy and dance around in the street. What a pity.

Definition of today’s word and past Trini slang is compliments of the online Trini dictionary.

Past Trini slang words: bawlin’, bacchanal, lime, rampalooge

Word for the Travel Wise (12/17/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

After going through some of the language archives I just realized I forgot to include a very useful link in the Latvian lessons that can help not only with the exploration of Latvian, but many other langs as well. BBC Languages Quick Fix has a section for Latvian with audio on all the very basics. This is one of my favorite links and I have referred several people who want to learn more popular lingos to their pages. If you haven’t yet – please check it out!

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

paldies – thank you

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, mugura

Word for the Travel Wise (12/16/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

When my plane landed in Budapest I had no idea at the time how much I would fall in love with the city, but over the course of my stay I started to seriously day dream about living in the country. What would it have been like? What could it be like today, tomorrow or in five years? In the event that I went out on a wing and took the big leap into living in eastern Europe I started practicing the local language with my first word being a very basic and essential one.

Today’s word is a Magyar (Hungarian) word used in Hungary:

Jó napot – hello

The Hungarian lingo is a Finno-Ugric language, which you can learn more about at Wikipedia, right now let’s stick to the places you can learn it for free. Hungarotips is a completely free site with beginner, intermediate, and advanced lessons. This impulzus web page has everything you’d basically find in a LP guide. There’s no audio, so read a little about the alphabet and then find someone who’s willing to make sure you speak like a local. The verbal exchange will be very rewarding I am sure. As always remember to scope out the BBC for basic lang downloads.

Past Hungarian words: köszönöm, vásárlók könyve, hangverseny, kijárat, segítség