Tag: Oceanic Languages

MARSHALLESE 23.0: WHEN YOU HAVE TO ASK FOR DIRECTIONS

June 9, 2019

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

“LEARN HAWAIIAN AT HOME” BY KAHIKĀHEALANI WIGHT

April 28, 2019

If you want to start learning one of the Pacific languages, finding a textbook – not to mention a good textbook – is the hardest thing to do. When there are virtually no resources available, you have to get by with what you have managed to find. Fortunately, if you are thinking of learning Hawaiian, there are a few books that may help you. “Learn Hawaiian At Home” is one of them. … More “LEARN HAWAIIAN AT HOME” BY KAHIKĀHEALANI WIGHT

EVEN IF YOU HEAR ONE OF THESE, DO YOUR THING ANYWAY

March 31, 2019

When you decide to learn an unpopular foreign language, you often hear various “pearls of wisdom” from you relatives, friends, colleagues. Rarely do they smile at you, give you a thumbs-up, pat you on the shoulder, and say: “Wow, that’s so cool!”. Their words are more discouraging than encouraging, and suddenly you get the feeling that what you are doing is … pointless. … More EVEN IF YOU HEAR ONE OF THESE, DO YOUR THING ANYWAY

HAWAIIAN 2.0: A WHOLE DIFFERENT LEARNING EXPERIENCE

March 17, 2019

If you’ve been reading my blog you know that I am an old-school learner. I need a notebook, a pen, a few highlighters (the more colourful the notes, the better!), and of course a good textbook. So when I decided to start learning Hawaiian with Duolingo, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Now, after more than ten weeks, I know exactly what it means to learn a language with an app. … More HAWAIIAN 2.0: A WHOLE DIFFERENT LEARNING EXPERIENCE

HOW TO CELEBRATE THE YEAR OF INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES – THE PACIFIC WAY

March 3, 2019

2019 is the International Year of Indigenous Languages. That’s undoubtedly a wonderful initiative, but what does it actually mean? Well, completely nothing unless we – the people of this world – make a commitment to celebrate this year the way it deserves to be celebrated. I happen to have a few ideas how you can do just that; especially if you want to focus on the Pacific tongues. … More HOW TO CELEBRATE THE YEAR OF INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES – THE PACIFIC WAY

MARSHALLESE 21.0: MOTIVATED MORE THAN EVER

February 17, 2019

I’ve probably mentioned it before, but I will do it again – keeping the motivation up is one of the hardest and most important things you have to do when learning a foreign language. Not losing that initial zeal is an ongoing battle; and one you have to win if you want to succeed. I can proudly say that so far I have been victorious in my efforts. … More MARSHALLESE 21.0: MOTIVATED MORE THAN EVER

INDIGENOUS, VERNACULAR, OFFICIAL, NATIONAL

February 3, 2019

When we talk about language, we often use different words to describe it. We say “indigenous language”, “vernacular language”, “official language”, “national language”, “first language”, “mother language”… That’s a lot of languages, don’t you agree? We are all familiar with these names, but do we know what they really mean? Are they one and the same thing? … More INDIGENOUS, VERNACULAR, OFFICIAL, NATIONAL