Stories about Language from October, 2008
Slovakia: Google Now Translates From Slovak
The Foreigner's Guide to Living in Slovakia reports that Google has added the Slovak language to their online translation service.
Trinidad & Tobago: Book of the Week
Caribbean lit-blog Antilles picks as its “Book of the Week” Ian McDonald's Selected Poems, which it describes as “a long-overdue survey of the career of one of the Caribbean's most admired writers.”
Jamaica: See Me, Come Live With Me
“Many people decide to live in Jamaica because they love the energy and vibe of the culture. Yet, there are those who decide that this is country is far too difficult for them to manage and bolt in less than a year”: Transition Sunshine offers a glimpse into “the real...
Brazilian myths and haunts on the Lusosphere – Part 2
On the first article of this series, we searched Brazilian websites that could tell us some stories about the haunts and the mythical beings of Brazilian folklore. Now, in the second article, we will sit and listen to the tales of myth, legend and fear told by Brazilian bloggers; tales about Cabeça de Cuia and Caboclo D'Água, and about the beautiful and sad tale of the Vitória Régia, and give more details about the mysterious Loira do Banheiro and her terrible death.
Lebanon: Arabic Names
Reflecting on the meanings of Arabic names, A Diamond's Eye View of the World shares this list of the names of mostly Lebanese personalities – and how their names translate into English.
Bahrain: Naked truth?
Maldita, a Filipina in Bahrain, wonders why anyone uses automatic translators; instead of “You are not worth anything” she got the translation “You do not have clothes“…
Jamaica, U.S.A.: Joe the Metaphor?
“‘Joe The Plumber’ stopped being real and became a metaphor, and as a storyteller who delights in metaphors, the discussion suddenly became more interesting,” says Jamaican litblogger Geoffrey Philp of the final US Presidential debate.
Hong Kong: Teaching English
Joyce's lau blogs her brother's experience in teaching English in Hong Kong and finds out “this is why Hong Kong English levels are declining“.
Brazilian myths and haunts on the Lusosphere – Part 1
The first of three articles that will take us around the virtual campfire to hear stories about ghosts and enchantment from Brazilian folklore: Cuca, Negrinho do Pastoreio, Boitatá and Curupira, are just some of the beings that inhabit the nights, dreams, and nightmares of Brazil. We also find a group of artists who are telling anew a long told Brazilian popular story.
Korea: Hangeul Proclamation Day
On the 9th of October, the day to celebrate the creation of the Korean writing system [Hangeul] returned. Since it was canceled as a national holiday, every year there has been a voice arguing that it should be made again as a national holiday, so that people can recognize the...
Lusosphere: The origins of the American Banjo in Africa
Emerson Santiago [pt] writes at Patafurdia Magazine about akonting, the musical instrument found in Senegal, Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau in West Africa. “The Portuguese colonizers and the North American slaves owners began to call the instrument “Banjo”, coming from the Quimbundo word “m'banza” (language of the second largest ethnic group in...
Japan: Verbal gaffs and Japanese politics
Blogger Ken writes about verbal gaffs in Japanese politics [ja]. Ken uses the example of a recent statement by Minister Nariaki Nakayama, which the blogger says became a gaff because Nakayama offended both the teachers union and citizen groups opposing expansion of Narita Airport. Ken argues that verbal gaffs are...
Kazakhstan: Language, Economics and Foreign Policy
The Kazakhstani authorities have again brought up the issue of state language. Kazakh language has been heavily depreciated in the Soviet times against the background of inculcation of Russian language. Earlier, officials restrained themselves from outright expulsion of the Russian language (which still dominates in the official paperwork and in...
Barbados, U.S.A.: Sorry, I Misspoke
Living in Barbados has a chuckle at the incorrect grammar being used in the media in recent weeks.
Jordan: On Madrassas
Jordanian MommaBean is in distress. Her daughter goes to a Madrassa – which translates to school in Arabic.
Syria: Selma Hayek – Lebanese or Lesbian?
Syrian Dubai Jazz links to news sources in which Mexican actress Salma Hayek's Lebanese descent is confused with being a lesbian.
China and U.S: Mischievous dubs
Inside-Out China compares the culture of mischievous dubbing in the U.S and China.
Russia: “Alice in Wonderland” in Swahili
LJ user tapirr (RUS) compares illustrations in the original Alice in Wonderland to those in a Swahili-language edition.
Jamaica: Raising the Bar
Active Voice says that the Jamaican Olympians “have raised the bar very high” – and wishes that the Jamaican media would follow suit.
Guyana, U.S.A.: On Mavericks
Litblogger Signifyin’ Guyana dispenses some advice to Sarah Palin “and her vocabulary advisors”.
Blogger of the week: Rezwan
Global Voices new South Asia editor, Rezwan, from Bangladesh has been with Global Voices as a volunteer author since 2005. Memorable posts by Rezwan include a report on Twittering' an earthquake in Bangladesh, and a story of colorful but expensive Bangladeshi weddings. He replaces the illustrious Neha Viswanathan as South Asia editor.
