Stories about Language from February, 2014
Honduras Launches Online Dictionary of Indigenous Languages
A dictionary of Honduran indigenous languages was recently released online [es]. Honduran newspaper Tiempo [es] explains that this dictionary “registers the equivalent [words] in Spanish, chortí, garífuna, isleño, miskito, pech, tawahka and tolupán, languages that make up the country's linguistic heritage.” For example, a search for the Spanish word for...
List of Deceased in Venezuela Protests Available in 5 Languages
In the blog Panfleto Negro [es], John Manuel Silva and Emiliana Duarte are keeping a list of confirmed deaths from the ongoing protests taking place in Venezuela. The list -originally in Spanish- has been translated into English, German, Italian and French.
Ukrainian Revolution Rattles Russian Nationalists
Russian nationalists worry Russian-speaking Ukrainians will be "derussified."
Equatorial Guinea Moves Closer to Becoming Portuguese Language Country
Despite the blatant disregard for human rights still plaguing Equatorial Guinea, the door has been opened for the West African country's membership in the Community of Portuguese Language Countries.
Celebrating Netizens Who Blog in Nigerian Pidgin English
Nigerian Pidgin English is the country's "lingua franca, understood in all 36 states. Yet, you will not find a classroom in the whole country that teaches it"
Interview With Fula-Language Blogger Balde Mamadou Tafsir for Mother Language Day
Interview: African culture and languages researcher Balde Mamadou Tafsir writes two blogs in Fula, his native language.
Parlez-vous français? Learning French According to Global Voices Translators
Struggling with learning French? Don't despair! You are not alone, say Global Voices French translators.
Zambia Ditches English in Primary School for Government-Approved Local Languages
Although there are 73 recognised languages in Zambia, only seven are to replace English as the language of instruction in primary school. Leaders of various ethnics groups oppose the change.
The Hilarity of Murder Among Russians
Where do you draw the line between a joke and a death threat? That question has been on Russians’ minds this week, after a controversial tweet by blogger Alexey Navalny.
South Korea: Being Native English Teacher and Reverse Racism
Geoffrey Fattig of Jeollamite blog shares his brutally honest opinion on reverse and latent racism in South Korea, urging fellow native English teachers who under-appreciate a fairly good working condition to stop whining. Some of the highlights of his post are: On the whole, though, Korea is a pretty easy place...
Tajikistan: Welcome to the “Facebook Republic of Pitzostan”
A government committee in charge of enforcing language regulations in Tajikistan has recently caused many laughs by insisting that the word “pizza” should be replaced with “pitzo” on restaurant signs in the country's capital. According to the committee's chair, “pitzo” sounds more “Tajik”. #Tajikistan has officially renamed pizza “pitzo”. For...
The French Expatriate Perspective on France's Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric
The immigration debate is taking center stage in the public conversation of France. French citizens living abroad have a different perspective on the issue.
Blog Carnival Shows the Caribbean Some Love
Netizens from all over the Caribbean took part in a month-long blog carnival called e-Mas: "To the Caribbean, With Love", hosted by the online feminist collective CODE RED.
