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
Some time ago I found out that every Hawaiian sentence must have a head and a center. If you have those two, you can pretty much say anything a toddler would say – “I am happy”, “She is old”, “This is my dog”. But if you’d like to communicate on a little bit more advanced level, your sentences will need an addition of a tail. … More HAWAIIAN 5.0: ADDING THE TAIL
Endangered languages have been a hot topic for quite a while now. Some people say it is absolutely necessary to at least try to save them, others dismiss the problem as unimportant. Which side are you on? Are you one of those guilty of neglect? … More GUILTY OF NEGLECT
Endangered languages. How can we save them? This one question keeps getting asked by linguists and language enthusiasts all over the world. And the answer is quite simple – we have to make sure that new generations learn them. But how exactly can we make this happen? Can technology come to the rescue? Can language learning apps be a solution? … More CAN APPS BE LANGUAGE SAVIOURS?
Some time ago – when it was raining heavily, and I had nothing to do (that doesn’t happen very often) – I decided to see if there were any (interesting) Marshallese YouTube channels. We all watch YouTube nowadays – if you’re saying you don’t, you are probably lying – so I thought that it would be fun and educating to start following people who might help me improve my Marshallese skills. … More MARSHALLESE 24.0: LEARNING FROM YOUTUBE
I have been “seriously” learning Hawaiian for almost three months now. Like a proper student I have my book (colour-coded for ease of use), a CD (much needed if you want to learn pronunciation), and a lot of zeal (which basically is the most important thing of all) – in other words, I am fully equipped to start making some progress. … More HAWAIIAN 4.0: THE HEAD AND THE CENTER
I am quite certain that many of you have wondered what the difference between a language and a dialect is. Well, I have. Many times in my life. And you know what? I still haven’t found anyone who would give me a straight answer. Because it seems that this particular question is the question that even linguists have trouble dealing with. … More A LANGUAGE OR A DIALECT?
There are times in our lives when we get lost; when we don’t have a map or a compass to guide us. Once this happens, our natural reaction is to ask someone else – someone who knows better, someone who is more experienced, someone who can help us – which direction we should go. If you lose your way in the forest, you’ll eventually find it. But sometimes you don’t know where you are while sitting in your favourite armchair. … More MARSHALLESE 23.0: WHEN YOU HAVE TO ASK FOR DIRECTIONS
Normally I am not a quitter. I usually finish what I have started. But this time, well, I have quit. No, I haven’t quit learning Hawaiian; I have quit learning Hawaiian with Duolingo. On 31st March I said goodbye to the app. So yes, I’m one of those people who have made Duo The Owl sad. … More HAWAIIAN 3.0: GOODBYE DUOLINGO
