The Fascinating Thing about Language
Another eclectic mix of info and anecdotes about anything loosely related to languages (either our own or other peoples). This month's items include Lycos top Internet search terms for 2005 plus a way of improving your listening skills, not to mention a website with suggestions on how to invent your own language!
Lycos reveal top search term for 2005
http://www.netimperative.com/2006/02/03/Paris_Hilton
Lycos, recently listed its top 50 search terms for the year 2005, with Paris Hilton and Eminem at the top of the list for people searches, and Hurricane Katrina being the most searched for news event. We couldn't help wondering who/what might be the top search terms for 2006, so why not peer into your crystal ball and make your own predictions... The best suggestions sent to lingo-ist@lingo24.com will appear in a future issue of "The Lingo-ist"!
Listen and learn
Reading a foreign language is often easier than trying to understand when you hear it spoken at its usual speed. If you're one of the many interested in becoming "better@languages", the eponymous BBC webpage is worth a visit: http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/listening/
It gives you the opportunity to listen to native speakers of French, Spanish, German and Italian and offers advice about how to apply the same listening skills as you do in your mother tongue, in order to improve your comprehension of foreign languages.
Language construction kit: for DIY linguists
Ever wondered how a language is created. Usually it's a long, slow process of evolution, but if you want to speed things up a bit, why not have a go at creating and developing your very own language? Check out the Language Construction Kit website at http://www.zompist.com/kit.html which features tips on how to design an alphabet, decide what your language will sound like, concoct grammar rules etc. The only risk is that no one else might be able to understand you - including the best translation companies!
Thinking of dining out?
You might think again when you see some of these menu (mis)translations...
SALAD A FIRM'S OWN MAKE; LIMPID RED BEET SOUP WITH CHEESY DUMPLINGS IN THE FORM OF A FINGER; ROASTED DUCK LET LOOSE; BEEF RASHERS BEATEN UP IN THE COUNTRY PEOPLE'S FASHION
PORK WITH FRESH GARBAGE
BUTTERED SAUCEPANS AND FRIED HORMONES
And, to finish off, that tastiest of deserts... STRAWBERRY CRAP.