The A to Z Challenge – Albanian (Days 1 and 2)

I kicked off my A to Z Challenge yesterday with the letter “A”. I was originally going to chose Armenian as my “A” language but I swapped it for Albanian when I found that there are just not enough resources for learning Armenian. There aren’t that many either for learning Albanian but I managed to track down some useful PDFs on the ERIC site and I’ve found a fairly good beginner’s course at Albanian World. I was also able to find a copy of the Pimsleur Albanian course, which was one of the precious few audio courses that you will find for learning this language.

I haven’t made a great deal of progress in the past two days due to an increased workload (our office is closed on Thursday and Friday so it means I have to get 5 days’ work done in just 3) but I did manage to listen to the first 3 lessons of the Pimsleur course during my commute to and from work.  I’ve only learnt a few basic words and phrases so far, including :

• Mirëdita (Good day) and Mirëmbrëma (Good evening)
• Ju lutem (Please)
• Falemnderit (Thank you)
• Unë jam.. (I am), Ju jeni… (You are)
• Zonya (Mrs), Zonyusha (Miss)
• Unë nuk jam… (I’m not..)
• Flisni anglisht? (Do you speak English?)
• Nuk kuptoj (I don’t understand)
• Unë flas anglisht (I speak English)
• Shqip (Albanian)
• Po/Jo (Yes/No)

Its pronunciation seems to be fairly straightforward. There aren’t any sounds in Albanian which are unfamiliar to native English speakers, though there are some unusual combinations of sounds (such as the “Shq” in “Shqip”) and it’s hard to remember when to pronounce the “ë” and when it should be silent. Most, if not all, of the Albanian letters have an English equivalent so pronunciation is not too challenging for the English speaker.

Albanian vocabulary is a little trickier. While it’s an Indo-European language, a lot of the vocabulary is quite new to me. For example, the Albanian word for “language”, gjuhë, is foreign to me as it bears little resemblance to the word for “language” in any other major European language. A quick glance at an Albanian news article soon showed me that a background in English, Dutch and the Romance languages doesn’t help you understand written Albanian any better. This is something I should have taken from granted, given that Albanian is hidden away on its own little branch on the Indo-European family tree. There are also some very peculiar “false friends”, such as verdhë, which sounds remarkably similar to “verde”, the Spanish word for “green” but which actually is the Albanian word for “yellow”. Another stumbling block is motër, which one may assume might be the Albanian word for “mother” but is actually the word for “sister” (the Albanian word for “mother” is nënë). So one can’t be too careful with “false friends” when learning Albanian.

My plans for tomorrow are to revise lessons 1 to 3 of the Pimsleur course and work through some of the lessons on the Albanian World website. I might also have a look at some basic grammar rules so that I can have a better overview of how the language “works”. Albanian seems to be a highly inflected language with three genders (male, female and neuter) and six cases (nominative, accusative, genitive, dative, ablative and vocative). I’ve never studied a language with a case system so this will be a real challenge…

The A to Z Challenge

I’ve finally finished writing that blasted essay! It’s finished, printed out and hopefully on its way to the examiners in Leicester so I can finally concentrate on my blog and language learning again. Not that I didn’t enjoy my Classical Archaeology course…I just hate having to find the energy to write an essay after a busy day at work.

And now on to my next project. I’ve decided to set myself a new challenge, one I’m nicknaming the “A to Z Challenge”. The basic idea is to sample 26 different languages, one for each letter of the alphabet, and spend a week or two getting used to the sounds of the language, learning some basic grammar points and reviewing the available online resources for learning that language. The idea was inspired by Keith Brook’s “37 Language Project”, who is working his way through 37 different languages to find out which is the perfect language for him.

I’ve already finished selecting the 26 languages for my challenge. I’ve taken special care to avoid choosing closely-related languages and have tried to cover as much geographical territory as possible by selecting languages from Europe, Asia, the Americas, Africa and Oceania. I’ve also tried to select a different set of languages to the ones Keith has already reviewed but some overlap is likely.

The idea behind this challenge is not to learn a new language in depth but rather to get a feel for the language and figure out what sets it apart from the other languages on the list and what challenges a learner might face. I don’t plan to spend too much time on this challenge as I still need to devote most of my free time to perfecting my Mandarin, Japanese and Dutch. At the end of the day, it’s VERY unlikely that I will have the chance to use most of the languages on the list.

The list of languages for “The A to Z Challenge” can be found here. I will post my thoughts on Language A within the next few days.

The Linguists

For those of you who are interested in language conservation and endangered languages, you’ll be happy to know that the documentary film The Linguists can be watched online at Babelgum.com.

Below is a press release sent to me by Linda Lee.

‘THE LINGUISTS’ TO PREMIERE ONLINE APRIL 20th ON BABELGUM.COM

Acclaimed film about two scientists on a race against time
to document the world’s vanishing languages

TRAILER: http://www.babelgum.com/browser.php#play|SEARCH,queryString:linguists,order:MOST_RELEVANT|0,3014780

Independent Web TV service Babelgum announced today that it has acquired the exclusive worldwide Internet and mobile rights to the feature documentary The Linguists. The film, which screened in the Documentary Spotlight Program at the Sundance Film Festival, will premiere on Babelgum’s platforms on April 20th, 2009. The deal was negotiated by Karol Martesko-Fenster General Manager & Publisher – Film Division on behalf of Babelgum, along with Ironbound Films CEO Jeremy Newberger on behalf of the filmmakers.

The Linguists, directed by Seth Kramer, Daniel A. Miller, and Jeremy Newberger, is a hilarious and poignant chronicle of two scientist-adventurers racing to document languages on the verge of extinction. Dubbed “a fascinating journey” (Kenneth Turan, LA Times), “funny, enlightening and ultimately uplifting” (Aaron Barnhart, Kansas City Star), and “a hoot” (Sam Allis, The Boston Globe), The Linguists was a breakout hit at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival and has screened at more than 40 film festivals worldwide and recently aired on PBS.

Speaking from Ironbound Films’ headquarters in Garrison, NY, CEO Jeremy Newberger says: “It is very fitting that The Linguists, a documentary celebrating language diversity, has its online premiere on Babelgum, a company named for the digital ‘gum’ with which it connects diverse communities globally. We hope to inspire as many viewers as possible with the message of The Linguists, and Babelgum, with its global brand recognition and unrivaled accessibility both online and via mobile devices, is the ideal platform. We anticipate an overwhelming response.”

Karol Martesko-Fenster, stated: “We are thrilled about our partnership with Ironbound Films. The filmmakers have crafted a compelling story that weaves travelogue together with the urgent sustainability issue of the world’s disappearing languages. The resulting documentary appeals to film fans and the growing group of linguists worldwide. Babelgum’s exclusive premiere of The Linguists reaffirms our mission to be the leading online and mobile destination for multi-lingual diverse forms of creative expression and cutting-edge independent film.”

About Babelgum

A free-to-use integrated mobile and Internet TV service, Babelgum combines the full-screen video quality of traditional television with the interactive capabilities of the Internet, and offers innovative professionally produced programming on-demand to a global audience. Babelgum recently launched an original mobile
application in the United States, UK and Italy, that brings regionally tailored programming to smart phones – at present iPhone 3G, iPod Touch, Nokia (N96, N95 and 6210) and G-Phones (1 and 2) – via 3G and WiFi.

Babelgum’s editorial focus is on music, comedy, film, urban culture, nature and the environment. The company has set up two online contests to nurture independent film and music talent: the Babelgum Online Film Festival, chaired by Spike Lee (now in its second year) and the Babelgum Music Video Awards, judged by acclaimed director Michel Gondry. Babelgum also launched a Digital Studio initiative producing new, exclusive and original content. Two productions have already been completed: Downstream, focusing on the controversy over the development of the oil sands of Alberta, Canada, and Extinction Sucks, a wildlife series on the subject of conservation and protection, with the active involvement of WWF.

Babelgum’s content partners include, amongst others, EMI, Sony BMG, the Associated Press, PBS, BBC, VBS, Lonely Planet, National Geographic, Shine Limited, Cinetic Rights Management, Content Republic, IndieFlix, Gong Anime, The Workbook Project, Cinelan, IMG and Off the Fence, as well as the Seattle, Encounters, Rushes, From Here To Awesome and Renderyard Film festivals. Babelgum is an independent and privately held company with offices in the United States, UK, Ireland, France and Italy.

www.babelgum.com

About Ironbound Films

Ironbound Films is an award-winning documentary and new media production company. Ironbound’s latest feature The Linguists premiered to rave reviews at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival and on PBS on February 26, 2009. Ironbound founders Seth Kramer, Daniel A. Miller, and Jeremy Newberger have twice been nominated for Emmy Awards for Outstanding Historical Programming. They are currently in production on two documentaries: The New Recruits, about aspiring social entrepreneurs; and Évocateur, about ’80s talk-show icon Morton Downey, Jr. Recent work includes Moment in Time, a short documentary that premiered as the centrepiece to ESPN’s Olympic coverage.

www.ironboundfilms.com
www.thelinguists.com

Guest Blogger – Katie Wilson – 4 Effective Ways to Learn a Foreign Language on Your Own

The following article was written by Katie Wilson, a writer for Online Universities.

There are times when I’ve often wished my parents had different mother tongues. Admittedly they would have found it difficult to understand each other unless one or both of them were multi-lingual, but we kids would have had the benefit of having two mother tongues and growing up learning two languages. It’s easiest to learn a language when it’s spoken at home, when you’re surrounded by people who speak it all through your childhood, and when it’s part of your growing up process. Although it takes more time and effort and much more motivation to learn a foreign language when you’re all grown up and leading a busy life, there’s no reason why it cannot be done, even when you have no one to help you out. All you need is the interest, the determination, and the means to do it. So if you want to master a new language, here’s what you need to do:

1. Experience it: The best way to learn a new language (the spoken version) is to live amongst people who speak it on a daily basis. So if you’re moving to Spain, you’re definitely going to pick up more than a smattering of Spanish in a few months. Necessity is the mother of invention, and when you need to communicate, your brain is motivated to learn. The more time you spend with people who speak the language you intend to learn at home, the faster you’re going to pick up this new tongue.
2. Sing it: Have you ever realized how easy it is to memorize songs when the melody is catchy? It’s something you do unconsciously; you don’t really focus on learning the words, but when you listen to a song again and again, the lyrics become embedded in your brain. If you want to learn a new language, listen to songs written in the tongue. It’s a slow learning process and not complete in itself, but it is an effective linguistic learning tool.
3. Watch it: Movies and television programs, especially those that come with subtitles are great ways to pick up a new tongue. You could tape your favorite programs, watch them, see if you understand, and then use the subtitles to learn what the characters are saying to each other. You can pick up common phrases, slang usage, and the local flavor of the tongue when you learn from movies and television programs. Formal learning materials teach you the right sentences without injecting any of the local flavor into it (the way the sentence is spoken by natives).
4. Use it: And last, but certainly not the least, you must practice what you’ve learned. You must speak the language on a regular basis if you want to develop your vocabulary and remember it. Yes, you may make mistakes and even be laughed at, but that’s all the more reason for you to persist with your efforts. Practice makes perfect, so use every opportunity you get to show off your newly acquired skills.

This post was contributed by Katie Wilson, who writes about the online universities. She welcomes your feedback at KatieWilson06_at_gmail.com.

If anyone wants to know more about guest blogging opportunities at Aspiring Polyglot, please email me at aspiringpolyglot_at_gmail.com.

Essay Woes

I haven’t dropped off the face of the Earth. I’m just busy writing (and re-writing) an essay which I have to send off by Friday. Expect plenty of updates once I’ve finished piecing together my academic masterpiece.

Since I need to keep this short, I thought I’d forego a proper post and just share a few sites and articles that I bookmarked over the weekend.

• How I Learned Chinese in Only 2 Years – How one language learner was able to learn Mandarin in only two years. His tips for learning Mandarin can easily be applied to other languages so it’s worth a read, even if you have no plans to learn Mandarin.
• Sushi & Sumo - A language learner’s quest to learn Japanese by watching Japanese TV series.
• Laoshu505000’s Youtube Channel - This guy is simply amazing. He seems to have a real gift for languages and has a language learning collection which makes mine pale in comparison (and I thought I was the only person who collected random phrasebooks).

That’s all for now. Back to my essay…

Like a Phoenix from the Flame…

Back to work after a nice long Easter weekend and back to working on my essay for my Classical Archaeology course. I’d almost forgotten what it’s like to feel the pressure of an encroaching deadline…!

First of all, I wanted to say that the Chinese State Circus put on a fantastic show on Sunday. Beautiful costumes, awe-inspiring acrobatics and a few hair-raising moments when you wonder if the 10-metre tall tower of chairs will tumble under the weight of a contorting artiste! My partner was very impressed and so was I. Even though I saw a similar show some ten years ago in Beijing, I don’t think you could ever get bored of watching these talented young men and women doing what they do best. I’d recommend it to anyone.

Second, I was wondering where Cisa had disappeared to as I noticed the link to her blog no longer works. Does anyone know if she has a new blog?

Last but not least, I came across a very interesting article on the BBC website this morning about the revival of an aboriginal language a century or so after the last native speaker passed away. With the help of written records, a school in Sydney has helped piece together enough material to revive the Dharug (also spelled Dharuk) language, a language which has given us words such as “koala” and “dingo”. I was quite shocked to learn that of the 270 aboriginal languages which were spoken in pre-colonial Australia, only 60-70 are still being used today. I have to admit I know very little about Australia’s indigenous languages but this article has certainly whet my appetite. I might do a little bit of online research to learn more so that I know my Walpiri from my wombats.

Has anyone ever tried learning an aboriginal language?

The World is a Stage…

I thought I’d take a break from the news article I’m trying to translate to post a quick update! With one thing and another, the week has flown by. Luckily, I have a 4-day weekend to look forward to and will have some free time to catch up on some language study and work on my essay (I need to send it off in 2 weeks’ time). 

My partner and I have tickets to go and see the Chinese State Circus in Amsterdam on Sunday. Their show Confucius, which is being staged at Amsterdam’s RAI Theatre, promises to be a real treat. I wonder if it will be anything like the show I saw at the Chaoyang Theatre (朝阳剧场) in Beijing during my year abroad (almost 10 years ago now). If you ever visit Beijing, I really recommend a night out to watch the acrobats in action.

We also have tickets for another show next Sunday (also at the RAI Theatre) by the Shen Yun Performing Arts Company (神韵艺术团). This company has toured the world and their shows are said to be spectacular. I had a look at the company’s website and the costumes and sets look simply amazing. I can’t wait to see them live!

That’s all for now. I need to get back to my translation work and essay before I get too distracted…wish me luck.

Fun with FanFou

Sorry once again for the lack of posts. I’ve been a little unwell these past few days and we needed to take one of our cats to the vet this morning, so needless to say, I haven’t really had the time or enthusiasm to update the blog.

I’ve been trying my utmost best to improve my Chinese writing skills over the past few months as I haven’t written anything in Chinese since I graduated from university (which was almost 7 years ago…how time flies). I’m a little hesitant to write “normal” blog posts as my writing skills are rusty at best. Translating a Chinese text into English is one thing but writing a coherent piece of text in Chinese is a different kettle of fish. Remembering grammar rules and knowing how to use certain expressions and words is something that takes a certain amount of practice and, quite frankly, I think I need a LOT of practice before I decide I should embarrass myself with my shockingly poor Chinese writing skills (writing was always my weakest skill).

So I’ve set my sights low for the moment and have decided to start using FanFou.Com again. I created an account last September but I only used it a couple of times before getting bored with the lack of response. FanFou is a Chinese microblogging service which bears a striking resemblance to Twitter. One of the things I like about FanFou is the 随便看看 feature. This allows you to see the latest posts and is a fantastic way to improve your reading skills and learn some internet slang. I’m particularly fond of the 囧 character which appears regularly in people’s posts.  That one character expresses shock in a way that just can’t be described in words.

I’ve added a FanFou badge to the side menu as it seems like a good way of sharing my FanFou posts with anyone who’s interested. Read my pathetic Chinese and weep…