Certain daily expressions in Spanish and German use the verb ‘have’ in a figurative sense. Below is a list of common expressions in which both Spanish and German function in this manner. As these expressions do not always translate literally into English, they are best memorized.
Read moreThis is part two of a two-part blog on memory aids for language learning. In the first blog (written November 21) I covered subconscious memory aids such as employing colors, smells and music to expand the power of your mind to recover information. Here, in the second part, I will focus on consciously developed techniques such as: mnemonics, the memory palace, labeling and intermittent review.
Read more 19 Dec 2012
Book Review: Speak
Speak: a short history of languages, was written by Tore Janson, a Swedish linguistics and language professor. The book uncovers the history of how the world’s languages have evolved over the years from prehistory through to modern day touching on the earliest civilizations of Africa, Asia and Europe.
Read more 04 Dec 2012
Travel Spot: Balearic Islands
The Balearic Islands, or Las islas Baleares, are found off the eastern coast of mainland Spain. The three main islands are: Minorca, Mallorca and Ibiza. Taken together, this archipelago of islands is a province of Spain with Palma, Mallorca as its capital. Spanish and Catalan are the two official languages but German and English are widely spoken, as the islands are extremely popular with foreign tourists. With a total land mass just under 500,000 km² the islands have a year-round local population of around 1 million. However, millions of people from throughout Europe visit the islands all year round due to its warm temperate climate and beautiful beaches. Short, direct flights fly in and out of Palma to most European capitals every day and package deals make it a very affordable place to visit.
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The ability to memorize is crucial to learning a language as an adult. Unfortunately, some students give up, claiming they simply can’t learn because they have a “bad memory.” In reality, healthy people are born with similar potential but not everyone has the skills or techniques to maximize their memory capacity.
Read more 08 Nov 2012
Highlight on History: The Berlin Wall
After World War II, Germany’s capital of Berlin was divided up into four occupied zones, one for each of the major victors of the war: the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Russia then known as the Soviet Union. (See map below) By 1949, Germany itself had been carved up into two distinct countries, East Germany or the DDR (Deutsche Democratische Republik) under the control of Soviet Russia and West Germany or the BRD (Bundesrepublik Deutschland). By the 1950s, West Germany was experiencing an economic boom or Wirtschaftswunder and many East Germans were leaving for the West. In response, the East German government built the Berlin wall or Berliner Mauer. The government claimed it was erected to protect its citizens from the fascist influences of West Germany. In reality, its main aim was to prevent any further citizens from leaving.
Read more 24 Oct 2012
Cultural Corner: Day of the Dead
The Day of the Dead or El día de los muertos is a Mexican national holiday celebrated every year on the first two days of November. On these dates Mexicans remember family members and friends who have passed away. Modern practices are a blend of pre-Columbian beliefs and the Catholic observance of All Souls’ Day. While the Day of the Dead is also observed in other Hispanic countries, here we will focus on Mexican traditions.
Read more 09 Oct 2012
Cultural Corner: Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest is celebrated annually in the city of Munich, Bavaria and generally takes place over the last 2 weeks of September and into the first weekend in October to take advantage of favorable weather. It is the world’s largest fair attracting around 5 million visitors every year!
Read more 25 Sep 2012
Travel Spot: Salzburg
Salzburg is the capital city of the province of Salzburg in Austria. The city has an approximate population of 150,000 and is located along the Salzach River at the northern boundary of the Alps. The most prominent feature of its skyline is a fort or Festung located up on a hill. This iconic building overlooks the city and dates back to 1077! Salzburg is very popular with tourists year round owing to its beautiful old town or Altstadt, great café culture, and vibrant music and arts scene.
Many students struggle with the differences between muy/mucho and bueno/bien. At least part of the blame lies in English, as its speakers have come to use adjectives as adverbs in everyday speech. For example:
Question: “How are you?” Answer: “I’m good, thanks.”
When asking how someone is doing you are asking for their state of being. Therefore an adverb should be used in the answer as it is modifying the verb ‘to be.’ However, in English we generally respond using an adjective. The same exchange in Spanish is as follows:
Question: “¿Cómo estás?” Answer: “Estoy bien, gracias.”
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