Stories about Language from February, 2009
Martinique and Guadeloupe: Vocabulary of the general strike
le blog de [moi] [Fr] discusses how a new vocabulary has entered into the creoles of Guadeloupe and Martinique since the beginning of the general strike: “What was really surprising (and for me, I admit, a little unsettling) was to see how in interviews, men and woman on the street...
Jamaica, Guyana: Action or Reaction?
Both Active Voice [Jamaica] and Guyanese blogger C.D. Valere (writing at Baiganchoka) continue the discussion about recent attempts by the Jamaican Broadcasting Commission to “clean up” the airwaves.
Ukraine: “Russophone Ukrainian Nationalists”
In this post, which has generated over a hundred comments and is now listed as the 4th most popular item on Yandex Blogs, LJ user alek-ya explains what a "Russophone Ukrainian nationalist" is.
Nigeria: Listen To Naija Lingo
Naija Lingo has just released a new feature that allows visitors to listen to the pronunciation of words on the word page. Visitors can also upload their own recordings!
Bangladesh: Remembering The Language Martyrs
Desherchobi posts a photo essay describing how Bangladeshis commemorate the martyrs who gave their lives for their mother tongue Bangla on 21st of February, 1952, now recognized as the International mother language day.
Russia: Endangered Languages
Window on Eurasia writes that, according to UNESCO, “19 languages spoken on the territory of the Russian Federation a half century ago have ceased to exist, and 117 more are either in a position UN experts say is “unsafe” (21 languages), “definitely endangered” (47), “severely endangered” (29), or “critically endangered”...
Worldwide: 2,500 Languages Disappearing
An interactive map of endangered languages, showing 2,500 out of 6,000 tongues at risk, has been released by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The international organization asks users to contribute comments to a project that has many bloggers worried about preserving cultures.
Afghanistan: “Copyright on God’s Words”
Amila Bosnae reacts to the news of a death sentence given to two Afghans who “translated the Quran into one of their country’s languages.”
Saudi Arabia: Arabic and Indian Numerals?
From Saudi Arabia, Boyd Jones asks: “Why does the Arab world use Indian numerals whereas the West uses Arabic numerals?”
Jordan: The meaning of Jihad
Jordanian blogger Ali Dahmash discusses the meaning of the word Jihad – and how it is misconceived around the world, including the Middle East.
Bahamas, St. Lucia: Poetry in Motion
Scavella's Blogosphere features two new poems that are profiled at Tongues of the Ocean, an online literary journal of Bahamian and Caribbean poetry.
Barbados: Layne-Clarke Passes On
Bajan writer Jeanette Layne-Clarke has died after battling cancer. Barbados Free Press pays her tribute by publishing one of her poems.
Jamaica: Explicit music banned
The long-standing controversy over the appropriateness of certain music for public airplay has once again reared its head in Jamaica. Bloggers make their voices heard.
Bahrain: The importance of Arabic in advertising
Bahraini blogger aMaL laments the poor Arabic used in advertisements: “As an Arab country, and in the face of the capitalist global campaign to “blend” all cultures together and implant a consumerist heart in their core, it is our duty to preserve one of the few identity symbols we have...
China: Grass Mud Horse
Joel Martinsen from DANWEI explains the popular online term, Grass Mud Horse, which originally is a legendary beast and recently used as a political parody for the harmonious society.
Japan: Online Facemark Dictionary
A website, evoticon.net, has been launched recently to collect Japanese emotion icon. (via Japan Probe)
Japan: Message translation service brings heartbreak
Commenters at Japan's popular bulletin board service 2channel are responding to the story [ja] of a Japanese girl (ID tomochan) who, reportedly through the “enjoy JAPAN (KOREA) translation service” run by Korean search portal Naver, became close friends with a Korean guy. Naver plans to end the service on February...
Eritrea: Ministry of Information: Explain Please!
Why does the Eritrean blogger, Sam B, demands an explanation from the Eritrean Ministry of Information? Follow his post at African Path.
Russia: Vegetarian Borscht
Russian Blog shares a vegetarian borscht recipe.
Barbados: Blogger/Writer
Barbados-based B.C. Pires has “become interested in the connection between blogging and writing.”
Japan: The Origin of Zoku
Neojaponisme has a post investigating the origin of a popular term “zoku” in youth subculture.
