Dutch has developed a distinctive vocabulary and phonetics that make some words and phrases nearly impossible to interpret to English speakers. Here are ten of them, selected and explained by a Dutch expat in the United States.
Language
Ten German words and phrases that don’t translate well into English
English and German are both are classified as “Germanic,” meaning they descended from the same Indo-European language thousands of years ago. With such strong linguistic ties, translating between them should be easy, right? Unfortunately, no.
Five not-so-obvious benefits of learning Japanese for work and business
While we’re pretty sure you have tried sushi or ramen in your home country, there's a lot more to learn about Japanese culture. From becoming more approachable to further appreciating Japanese entertainment, if you are able to connect with their way of life, doors and opportunities will open up for you.
The “Thank You All” Endangered Alphabets project launches
Each of the ten carvings will be commissioned to a calligrapher or type designer. The exhibition will act as a showcase for their art and it will show the world that their script is vital, alive, a means of self-expression and a thing of beauty, expressive of their culture and their people.
Latvia’s linguistic journey
Tourism is popular the world over, and Latvia is no exception. Once, at a resort in Whistler, British Columbia, I was surprised to meet a trainer with AirBaltic, the flag-carrying airline of Latvia. The trainer told me that when AirBaltic started flying in 1995, its flight attendants only knew Latvian and Russian.
Are five languages enough to guarantee global success?
According to statistics from the UN, the countries of the G7 alone account for more than 46% of global gross domestic product and represent approximately 58% of global net wealth. Businesses looking for global success would do well, therefore, to start with conquering the business environments of the G7.
Kicking off the Year of Indigenous Languages with Endangered Alphabets
The United Nations has declared 2019 to be the Year of Indigenous Languages. More than 90% of the indigenous languages of both the United States and Australia are extinct or endangered.
Why US citizens should embrace Spanish
The United States has no official language. While English certainly serves as the de facto language, Spanish continues to grow as a primary and secondary tongue among the nation’s inhabitants. MultiLingual's just-released edition on Spanish details the importance of the language around the rest of the world, too.
Merry Christmas around the world
"Merry Christmas" is a phrase that people all over the world can recognize, even if they do not speak English. People have their own versions in their own languages and dialects. Here are 100 versions for you to peruse, with more here if you're curious.
Localizing a job board
The mission of any job board is to create a platform where employers, candidates and recruiters can connect. I thought that localizing a job board would not present much of a challenge, but I was pleasantly surprised with the knowledge that I gained.