There’s one thing about goodbyes: rarely are they easy. It is rather hard to say farewell to someone or something that has been a huge and important part of your life. You feel sad, abandoned, lonely, because you just know it is the end. Over the years, I’ve had my share of difficult goodbyes. One of the toughest took place on April, 3rd. On that day I had to say aloha to “Hawaii Five-0”. … More HAWAIIAN 9.0: ALOHA. E MĀLAMA PONO
When you are forced to stay at home, you have plenty of time to think. You may contemplate your life, reflect on who you are and what you have done so far. You may ponder your future and try to predict what it will be like. You may seek to figure out why certain things are the way they are. And me? Well, I can’t help but wonder why people still decide to learn foreign tongues. … More IN THE 21ST CENTURY, WHY DO PEOPLE STILL LEARN LANGUAGES?
I started on January 6th. It all began wonderfully. First lesson of Stephen Trussel’s “Communication and Culture Handbook” – check! Second lesson – check! Third lesson – erm … wait … what? … I don’t understand … I have to look this up in the “Grammar Handbook” … damn … nope, it won’t be that easy. … More KIRIBATI 2.0: SOMEBODY HELP ME PLEASE
For a good few weeks now people all over the world have been living in total chaos. Unsure what the future will bring, we are trying to keep our heads above the water and just take one step at a time. Obviously, learning is not something we are focusing on. But maybe we should try and change that? … More LEARNING TIP 9.0: DON’T STOP LEARNING IN DIFFICULT TIMES (#STAYATHOME)
Marshallese is a funny language. Sometimes it’s awfully difficult; sometimes it’s as easy as ABC. Sometimes you have to try hard to memorize a particular word; sometimes you just read it and it’s already in your head. A real roller-coaster ride, which I cannot help but absolutely love! … More MARSHALLESE 28.0: “KA-“ AND “RI-“
It was one year ago that I started my Hawaiian adventure. I must say it has been an enormously fruitful time, during which I’ve learnt a lot. And no, I’m not talking about the Hawaiian language right now, although I have managed to master a few words, phrases, and grammar rules. So what exactly do I have in mind? … More HAWAIIAN 8.0: LEARNING MADE EASIER
When in 2017 I started learning Marshallese, most of my relatives and friends were … a little surprised, to put it mildly. Because who on earth would want to learn Marshallese??? Well, I would! What is more, I would also want to learn Hawaiian and – wait for it – Kiribati; which, I guess, officially makes me a crazy person. … More KIRIBATI 1.0: I MIGHT BE CRAZY. OFFICIALLY
A new year has just begun, which means we are full of resolutions, dreams, hopes, and plans. With a list of things we want to achieve, we are burning with enthusiasm and determination to succeed. And this is great; marvellous; fantastic – as long as it doesn’t make us forget about all the endeavours we have already undertaken. … More LEARNING TIP 8.0: REMIND YOURSELF WHY YOU ARE LEARNING THE LANGUAGE
Another year of my Marshallese adventure is coming to an end. I will be very honest now, by this time I should have known more. After three years of learning I should probably be able to write this post entirely in kajin Ṃajeḷ – with lots of mistakes, yes – but it ought to be written in the language I am trying to master. Unfortunately, this is still beyond my abilities. Nevertheless, I have managed to learn something. Here’s the proof. … More MARSHALLESE 27.0: THIRD ATTEMPT AT KAJIN ṂAJEḶ
I have been learning Hawaiian for almost a year now, so it’s high time I showed you what I have managed to learn so far. I won’t lie, I am quite nervous. Will my sentences be correct? Will they make any sense? Will people laugh at my skills (or rather, lack thereof)? I will never know unless I try. So, let’s do it guys! … More HAWAIIAN 7.0: FIRST ATTEMPT AT ʻŌLELO HAWAIʻI
