It’s like grasping at straws at the beginning of learning a language.
You’re trying to make sense of anything.
Anything.
The strings of sound coming at you are difficult to decipher.
Been there, done that.
Albeit exciting, there’s a lot …
Author Archive | narayanliu
Global Gratitude: How to Say a Heartfelt Thank You in 20 Different Languages
Being polite doesn’t always mean the same thing.
Manners and etiquette differ from culture to culture.
As a language learner, someone new to a culture, you can only be expected to do your best.
You may forget to adapt …
In Theory: A Brief Overview of Language Development Theories
You’re remarkable.
Without prompting, you spent your first years making sense of the sounds around you.
You turned gibberish into meaning.
If you really stop to ponder it, it’s actually quite amazing.
Think about it, how is it you’re …
The Best Foreign Films to Watch to Learn Popular Languages
Out of nowhere, here it is.
The answer to your language learning prayers.
It’s a regular deus ex machina, and a valuable one at that.
You might have heard this Latin phrase if you’re really into cinema or …
Quaffing “Qawah” and Guzzling “Go Juice”: Coffee in Different Languages and Cultures
“Coffee is a language in itself.”
That’s according to Jackie Chan, the internationally famous actor, martial artist and (evidently) coffee enthusiast.
It’s clear why that statement stands true: despite the fact that it’s always made using essentially the same …
The Relationship Between Language and Culture Explained
Learning a language without comprehending the culture is like going to the vibrant Mexican marketplace pictured above and only eating hamburgers from McDonald’s.
Will your food be okay? Sure.
But you’re kind of missing the point. You’re not getting the …
Increasing Your Foreign Language Confidence: No More Umms, Uhhs or Errs!
When many of us start speaking a new foreign language, it can seem like our favorite new words are um, er and uh.
After all, we say them all the time, so they must be our favorites, …
