February 2010

Amount of French Content in the Olympics Ruffles Feathers in Canada

by Charlie Jolly February 23, 2010 Sport

The Olympics are supposed to be about mutual respect and harmony. However, the games that bring the world together are reigniting a long-simmering cultural feud in Canada. Canada is officially bilingual; French and English are both official languages. But, the Opening Ceremony left some French-speaking Canadians feeling slighted, according to this article on CTV.ca. Although [...]

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Celebrating International Mother Language Day

by Charlie Jolly February 23, 2010 Events

UNESCO declared the day a holiday in 1999, but its roots go back much deeper into the past. According to Wikipedia, International Mother Language Day started in 1952 in what is now Bangladesh.

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Is Romance the Best Way to Learn a New Language?

by Richard Brooks February 18, 2010 Learning Languages

Here’s a special Valentine’s Day tip for learning a new language- find a foreign sweetheart! According to this article from DallasNews.com, a love affair is the best way to become fluent in another language.

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TSA Sued by Student Detained Over Arabic Flashcards

by Richard Brooks February 15, 2010 Travel

In America, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has a reputation for jumping at little things like fingernail clippers (or Congressional Medals of Honor) while letting major threats (like guns in carry-on baggage) slip through unnoticed.

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China Seeks Chinese Language Tutor For Panda

by Richard Brooks February 10, 2010 Interpreting

Friday, China celebrated the arrival of two pandas from the United States, Tai Shan and Mei Lan. The two pandas are being treated like the celebrities they are, and China is sparing no expense when it comes to making them comfortable in their new homes.

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RIP Boa Sr, Last Speaker of the Bo Language

by Richard Brooks February 9, 2010 Languages

On Friday, Boa Sr, the last surviving member of the Bo tribe of the Andaman Islands, died. The Bo language, of which she was the last surviving speaker, died with her. The Bo tribe is believed to have inhabited the islands for over 65,000 years. Boa Sr was born in the northern Andamans, when her [...]

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I Love You in 25 languages

by Richard Brooks February 2, 2010 Translation

To help you to be extra romantic this Valentine’s Day we have added the language translation of ‘I love you’ below… I love you in Bulgarian: Обичам те I love you in Catalan: T’estimo I love you in Chinese: Cantonese: 我愛你 – Mandarin: 我愛你; 我爱你 I love you in Croatian: Volim te I love you [...]

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The Language of Love

by Richard Brooks February 2, 2010 Events

Valentine’s Day is approaching fast, a time when we express our love with cards and presents. Love is honoured on this day throughout the world.

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Chinese Takes Over in American Schools

by Richard Brooks February 2, 2010 Education

American school systems, often strapped for cash and forced to divert resources toward preparing kids for standardized achievement tests, have been slowly decreasing their foreign-language offerings.

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CIA Increases Language Requirements for Top Staff

by Richard Brooks February 1, 2010 Interpreting

The Central Intelligence Service (CIA) announced on Friday that it is increasing its language requirements for employees looking to be promoted to the top ranks of the agency, the Senior Intelligence Service (SIS).

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