Word for the Travel Wise (05/09/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

Over the last few days I’ve been a bit off on my word postings, but I’ve got a grand excuse for why that is or was shall I say. For starters I’m walking across the country at the moment and secondly I’ve been thinking about the languages I’ve been covering and thinking which langs aren’t getting covered enough. Sure French and Spanish are all swell and dandy, but it’s really time to step up our game and tune into other lesser known languages. Wouldn’t you agree? Are you up for the challenge? Then let’s proceed…

Today’s word is a Sinhala word used in Sri Lanka:

a da – today

English is spoken by ten percent of the population and Sinhala is the official and national language of the country. I’ve actually never tried to learn this one much, but judging from the alphabet it looks like a challenge. Omniglot has a great starter page on learning all the characters and use of this English to Sinhala dictionary could slowly help in distinguishing common travel words. Let’s Speak Sinhala offers lessons at a very small and reasonable fee. They appear to be one of the better Sinhala language learning websites.

Past Sinhala words: hari shook

Word for the Travel Wise (05/08/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

When something gives you goose pimples from watching a short film clip on the tourism site you know the real thing must be phenomenal! That’s what happened just now as I searched through the New Zealand tourism website to find something interesting. Not that it’s ever too tough to find something cool happening over in the lush green country, but I was looking for something to blow me away. Something aside from the numerous movie-like tours that have probably taken the place over by traveling movie buffs and fans of films like Narnia. The portion that caught my eye was this one on the Powhiri, welcoming spirit and/or ceremony of New Zealand’s Maori people. You’ll want to check it out yourself if New Zealand is on your travel radar this year. Today’s word comes from that page.

Today’s word is a Maori word used in New Zealand:

Po – a venture into the “unknown” or new experience

Maori (or Te Reo) is a Polynesian language spoken in New Zealand and is closely related to Rarotongan, Tahitian, and slightly less closely to Hawaiian and Marquesan. The lang arrived in New Zealand by way of the Polynesians coming over by canoe most likely from the Cook Islands or Tahiti many years ago and maintained official status in the country until the 1860’s when it became a minority language. Use this Wiki information to get you started on the background and history of the language, but worry not about there being few great resources online for furthering your knowledge of the Maori. There is also an online language commission (Te Taura Whiri I te Reo Maori) that regulates the lingo and has one of the exhaustive list of links to learning within the country as well as outside. Maori.org has an awesome area to practice with quizzes on common words, phrases and proverbs.

Past Maori words: tapu

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

by Adrienne Wilson on

It’s Cinco de Mayo and a Friday night as well. I’m sure a few of you are out partying if you haven’t hit a happy hour or two already, so I won’t bother keeping you long with today’s lesson. I’m just thrilled to be feeling a tid bit better after having a yucky days long head and chest cold.  Hopefully your road to Cinco de Mayo wasn’t one of the same. For all those out there having a round of drinks, please, have one for me.

Today’s word is a Spanish word from Mexico:

enfermo / enferma – sick

Amerispan, Cactus Language and IMAC are all good starting points to learning abroad. A free membership at Spanish Unlimited gives you the opportunity to learn a new word everyday by email, gain pen pals and hear audio of the words. Their website is actually a good resource tool for many different Spanish related topics. I won’t even begin to list some of the texts out there that could further your studies because there are entirely too many. If you know of some language books that would be useful please feel free to list them.

Past Spanish words: escalar, cercano, realidad

Word for the Travel Wise (05/03/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

Last time I touched on Malta and the Maltese language I pointed you to their list of groovy gastronomic events, but this time I want to direct your attention to the country’s main event listing! Who knew so many cool things were happening in the area around this time? If I could have my way I’d be leaving everyone behind for a chance to experience the National Folk Singing Festival being held May 19-21, 2006. With the festival falling on my birthday weekend it would most certainly be a pretty grand way to celebrate my special day. Since I won’t be making it this year I encourage you all to go and without further delay I toss you this word and look away.

Today’s word is a Maltese word used in Malta:

sahha – goodbye

BBC Languages Quick Fix allows one to download essential holiday phrases like this to store in your mp3 player for the big trip ahead. You can hear audio of some very basic words on their site as well. For a full run down on the history and a thorough section on survival Maltese head over to aboutmalta.com. I’m not too certain how much the survival Maltese will be needed considering the country’s other official lang happens to be English and they happen to have around 40 English learning language schools.

Past Maltese words: Fejn huma t-tojlezz?

Word for the Travel Wise (05/02/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

Recently I had the opportunity to taste a most delicious dish, a dessert to be exact, at a the Halal Kabab House in Alexandria, Virginia. When it comes to desserts I can be a little skeptical or shy away completely primarily due to my lack of trust in sweets. I’ve never had much of a sweet tooth and have a long list of ingredients that aren’t favorites for my taste buds. Sometimes it’s all in the texture of the dessert like any other food that can turn anyone on or off, but in this case I was very pleased with the new item.

Today’s word is a Farsi (Persian) word used in Afghanistan:

ferni – dessert, pudding garnished with pistachio nuts

For me to say that ferni is a Farsi word may be a little incorrect so I would double-check, but I did ask the woman working the counter the differences between Afghan Farsi and Iranian Farsi. She noted Afghan Farsi is more like British English (more proper and by the book) where Iranian Farsi is like American English (loose with more slang). In any case try the dessert if you ever happen to have the chance.

Farsi is only one of the langs spoken in Afghanistan and usually around areas bordering Iran and varies slightly. The CIA Worldfact book lists (Afghan Persian) Dari and Pashtu as official languages. Excellent sites for learning Persian online include a personal favorite called Easy Persian and Farhangsara. Both sites have an excellent beginner’s guide into the language and use images, sound and music to assist you in the process. Check out Lonely Planet’s Farsi (Persian) Phrasebook for a shorthand guide at the ancient lingo.

Past Farsi words: be salamati, toot farangee, akkasi