It's the holidays.
The time of year when I can relax and surf the net for fascinating language learning resources.
Today I've discovered this.
Online argot lessons from Dr André Bougaieff of the Université du Québec à Trois Rivières.
There are 5 lessons which come with audio clips (at different speeds), transcripts, translations and online exercises.
Looks like it might be a lot of fun.
Monday, 22 July 2013
Saturday, 20 July 2013
How German Sounds Compared To Other Languages
I found this video on youtube this morning.
I found it mildly amusing and decided to share it with you.
Enjoy!
I found it mildly amusing and decided to share it with you.
Enjoy!
Sunday, 14 July 2013
Ackuna.com's Bad Translator
If you are a teacher of languages, chances are, you'll occasionally receive work from students which they didn't do themselves.
It is the work of the internet.
More specifically an online translator.
We can usually tell for two reasons:
1) It contains examples of the imperfect subjunctive and was done after eight weeks of learning French.
2) It is absolute gibberish.
These students are, at best, cheating and, at worst, insulting our intelligence.
Very often it would have taken much less time to produce the work themselves rather than type it into an online translator and then copy it into their book.
Perhaps if they knew about Bad Translator they might be less inclined to let the internet do their homework.
After all, if online translators were perfect, most of us would be out of a job.
Bad Translator allows the user to enter any text up to 250 words. It then translates it back and forth up to 35 times into different languages and then back into English with, more often than not, hilarious results.
For example typing:
A perfect translation.
Have fun!
It is the work of the internet.
More specifically an online translator.
We can usually tell for two reasons:
1) It contains examples of the imperfect subjunctive and was done after eight weeks of learning French.
2) It is absolute gibberish.
These students are, at best, cheating and, at worst, insulting our intelligence.
Very often it would have taken much less time to produce the work themselves rather than type it into an online translator and then copy it into their book.
Perhaps if they knew about Bad Translator they might be less inclined to let the internet do their homework.
After all, if online translators were perfect, most of us would be out of a job.
Bad Translator allows the user to enter any text up to 250 words. It then translates it back and forth up to 35 times into different languages and then back into English with, more often than not, hilarious results.
For example typing:
"You must not commit adultery"
gives us
"Thoust needs potato
Have fun!
Friday, 12 July 2013
What Different Languages Think Different Animals Sound Like
Another animal themed blogpost.
I saw this on facebook and had to share.
It was posted by the Scottish Association of Language Teachers (SALT) and I know that some readers of this blog don't facebook so here it is!
It came from Casey Chan via gizmodo.
So, if you ever meet a French cockerel, a Japanese cat or a Dutch pig, you'll know what to say to them.
I saw this on facebook and had to share.
It was posted by the Scottish Association of Language Teachers (SALT) and I know that some readers of this blog don't facebook so here it is!
It came from Casey Chan via gizmodo.
So, if you ever meet a French cockerel, a Japanese cat or a Dutch pig, you'll know what to say to them.
Tuesday, 9 July 2013
Wheeldecide - a random spinner thing
I discovered Wheeldecide today.
It's another random name/question picker type thing which you can customise and embed into your blog/website etc. There is no Apple app at the moment but the website informs me that there will be an Android one very soon.
You can type in lists of up to 100 names, questions, numbers, etc individually or copy and paste a list.
Wheeldecide wheels can also be shared via twitter and facebook and there is a feedback option on their site to offer suggestions for new features.
It looks like it might be a lot of fun.
It's another random name/question picker type thing which you can customise and embed into your blog/website etc. There is no Apple app at the moment but the website informs me that there will be an Android one very soon.
You can type in lists of up to 100 names, questions, numbers, etc individually or copy and paste a list.
Wheeldecide wheels can also be shared via twitter and facebook and there is a feedback option on their site to offer suggestions for new features.
It looks like it might be a lot of fun.
Tuesday, 2 July 2013
Ten body parts, German style.
As usual, whilst searching the web for something important, I got side tracked and found this article.
It comes from the local website.
The article gives 10 trendy, slang words used by Germans to describe different parts of the body.
So, if you don't know your Kummerspeck from your Pornobalkon and are having trouble distinguishing between your Sitzfleisch and your Kauleiste, then you need to read this.
It really is very funny.
It comes from the local website.
The article gives 10 trendy, slang words used by Germans to describe different parts of the body.
So, if you don't know your Kummerspeck from your Pornobalkon and are having trouble distinguishing between your Sitzfleisch and your Kauleiste, then you need to read this.
It really is very funny.
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