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 people think about languages, they rarely wonder about linguistic equality. As if it was something not important, something not worthy of their attention. Obviously, it is not one of the hot topics, and it probably won’t change anyone’s life, but you can’t deny that this is an interesting issue. Personally, I would say that all languages are equal. It’s just that some languages are more equal than others. … More ARE ALL LANGUAGES EQUAL?
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
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
When I started learning Marshallese, a lot of people told me I would surely quit after a few months. Well, guess what, I didn’t quit after a few months. What is more, I am still learning the language, and I have no intent to stop. Having said that, let me now tell you what I have managed to achieve in the past eleven months. … More MARSHALLESE 26.0: YEAR THREE SUMMARY
It’s official – year one of learning language number two is slowly (or not so slowly) coming to an end. I wasn’t sure I would manage to keep learning two foreign tongues at the same time for more than three months, but somehow … here I am. It has been quite a journey, I have to say, and one I haven’t regretted embarking on even once. … More HAWAIIAN 6.0: YEAR ONE SUMMARY
As you may (or may not) know, at the beginning of this year I started learning Hawaiian. And if you are learning a certain language, it is always nice to brush up on your geography knowledge. But don’t worry, I won’t be telling you where the individual islands of the Aloha State or some of its culturally or historically important places are located. Instead, I am going to tell you what’s behind their names. … More WHAT’S IN A NAME? THE HAWAIʻI EDITION
It is absolutely wonderful when you want to learn a language and can actually find a textbook that will help you do it. I am learning Hawaiian, and I have already managed to buy two language books. “Learn Hawaiian At Home” is the one I’m currently using; “Ka Lei Haʻaheo” will be my next choice. … More “KA LEI HAʻAHEO: BEGINNING HAWAIIAN” BY ALBERTA PUALANI HOPKINS
I have recently noticed that the lessons in the textbook I’m using are getting more and more “advanced”. It is definitely not a beginner level anymore, and I think I can officially say that I have moved up the language ladder. I now know how to give commands, make requests, and offer suggestions. … More MARSHALLESE 25.0: I CAN BE POLITE
