I made it safely to Jordan! My flight from Indy was running late—enough so that I didn’t get to my flight in Atlanta until it started boarding. I sat near the wings on each flight, but was always able to catch a glimpse of something or other out the window, and looking was was well worth it. On my way in and out of Atlanta I could see the night lights of the cities we passed over, and as we crossed the East Coast I looked out just in time to see it; the lights cut off abruptly.
My seatmate on the Atlanta-Paris flight was a Ukranian man who'd had business in Ohio. His 3 and 6-year-old kids have been in 7 countries already! Also, I'm pretty sure they spoiled us on the flights; the food was yummy (though not as good as the food I just got back from eating).
I got into Paris fine, and while the organization of the airport was just plain weird, following the directions on the walls got me to my gate in plenty of time. The flight to Amman was chock-full (it stopped in Damascus afterwards). Also, turns out when planes fly over Israel, nobody's allowed to get out of their seats. I found other SIT students in the Jordanian airport and we all got through just fine, minus one student who got stuck in London. By the time we got to the hotel and ate, I was exhausted, and slept for something like 10 hours, though jet lag made today a little slow, too.
Today we had a good breakfast at the hotel (there are veggies and hummus with every meal, and I'm sure not arguing) and then went to the SIT building. It's in a really nice section of town, right next to the Venezuelan embassy and down the street from the British embassy. The British embassy's pretty big--I hear the US embassy is bigger--and a number of the embassies and palaces have armed guards outside them. There's a roundabout not too far away where we went for lunch where falafel places are side-by-side with McDonald's. Oh, and when you say "falafel," you have to use the tip of your tongue to pronounce the L, not the back. And falafel is delicious.
Most of the day was spent in lecture activities at SIT, mostly on safety. Main points: dress modestly, don't walk alone especially later at night, and tell SIT staff if there's anything at all that makes you uncomfortable. Also, taxis, culture shock, and a bit about homestay--we meet our families the day after tomorrow.
One of my roommates in the hotel is getting calls to her new Jordanian phone. No idea who or why, but they've called about 7 times, and can apparently speak both Arabic and English. We suspect a prankster.
Also, unless further searching produces it, I lost my hairbrush. As I'm fairly sure I packed it (Mom and Dad, check for two hairbrushes floating around my room; a second one means I forgot to pack it), I'm guessing it fell out on one of the flights.
Hope everyone's doing well!
One last note, this to my more redneck friends: I'm not censored, but it wouldn't hurt to keep an eye on what you say.
Edit: According to those at dinner, lemon mint hookah is better than the orange flavor. Also, we sang happy birthday to a woman who was there; they brought out a cake with five sparklers in it. And there was live music; I could tell at least one was a love song by the "ya habeebi."
January 31, 2012
January 27, 2012
Off to Jordan!
I know, I know, I haven't posted in here since 2010. Also, I have a report to do and a ton of packing. I do NOT promise to post here much, either.
That said... if I blog, it'll be here, and I might as well make myself. Everyone wants pictures and stories, right? And I really should keep some sort of scrapbook or diary and I'm more likely to do it virtually.
So... welcome to the blog!
General info: I leave Sunday the 29th late afternoon and arrive in Amman the next day. I'll meet the family I'm staying with February 2, and start classes around the same time. The main subjects will be Modernization and Social Change in Jordan, and Arabic, and we'll be gearing up for an independent study project at the end of the semester; I'd like to study linguistic changes related to modernization (loan words, slang, etc.). The program will include three week-long field trips to stay with a rural family, explore Egypt (conditions permitting), and explore Jordan.
I'll return mid-May, though I hope to find a place to teach EFL (English as a Foreign Language) for the summer.
Oh, and if I post pictures of food? They WILL make you hungry, just fyi.
That said... if I blog, it'll be here, and I might as well make myself. Everyone wants pictures and stories, right? And I really should keep some sort of scrapbook or diary and I'm more likely to do it virtually.
So... welcome to the blog!
General info: I leave Sunday the 29th late afternoon and arrive in Amman the next day. I'll meet the family I'm staying with February 2, and start classes around the same time. The main subjects will be Modernization and Social Change in Jordan, and Arabic, and we'll be gearing up for an independent study project at the end of the semester; I'd like to study linguistic changes related to modernization (loan words, slang, etc.). The program will include three week-long field trips to stay with a rural family, explore Egypt (conditions permitting), and explore Jordan.
I'll return mid-May, though I hope to find a place to teach EFL (English as a Foreign Language) for the summer.
Oh, and if I post pictures of food? They WILL make you hungry, just fyi.
October 31, 2010
Tools of Language Learning: the Bible
There are more than six thousand languages in use. Over 400 of those languages have full translations of the Bible; over 1000 have the New Testament, and many more have at least some portion of the Bible.
In terms of language learning: if you're learning a language, you can probably find a copy of the Bible in both it and your native language. It'll help if you're familiar with the Bible, but even if you aren't it's a good reading exercise.
When I started French, I found my mom's copy of the French Bible; I made it my goal to read a bit every night, whether I understood it or not. And you know what? It really helped my reading comprehension, and quite possibly my pronunciation, too. I've been doing the same thing with Arabic, and while it's been slow going (even with pronunciation help), I know it's been good for me.
And if there isn't a translation? Wycliffe Bible Translators plans to have a project in every language that needs it by 2025. And yes, there are translations in Klingon and Esperanto.
Main source: http://www.wycliffe.org/about/statistics.aspx
In terms of language learning: if you're learning a language, you can probably find a copy of the Bible in both it and your native language. It'll help if you're familiar with the Bible, but even if you aren't it's a good reading exercise.
When I started French, I found my mom's copy of the French Bible; I made it my goal to read a bit every night, whether I understood it or not. And you know what? It really helped my reading comprehension, and quite possibly my pronunciation, too. I've been doing the same thing with Arabic, and while it's been slow going (even with pronunciation help), I know it's been good for me.
And if there isn't a translation? Wycliffe Bible Translators plans to have a project in every language that needs it by 2025. And yes, there are translations in Klingon and Esperanto.
Main source: http://www.wycliffe.org/about/statistics.aspx
October 13, 2010
Languages
Jude brought up an interesting point in a previous comment section--languages we'd like to know. So, if you had the time/money/magical genie wish to learn any language, what would you choose? And what do you already know?
I'll be fair and answer my own questions:
English is my native language, and despite how much of a pain it is, I love it.
I took French in high school (it was as geographically close to Arabic as I could get) and had a very good time; I'm now a French minor. I love the literature, especially the poetry of Victor Hugo and Paul Eluard.
I ruled out colleges because of their (lack of) Arabic programs. I'm in my second year, and I like to tell people that I know enough to find an English speaker. As of this last week, I also know enough to find the bathroom.
If I could learn any other languages... Farsi and Hebrew. If I could learn any in an instant, I'd probably choose to learn them all, but if I had to choose runners-up to Farsi and Hebrew, I might go for Russian or Chinese.
Now it's your turn.
I'll be fair and answer my own questions:
English is my native language, and despite how much of a pain it is, I love it.
I took French in high school (it was as geographically close to Arabic as I could get) and had a very good time; I'm now a French minor. I love the literature, especially the poetry of Victor Hugo and Paul Eluard.
I ruled out colleges because of their (lack of) Arabic programs. I'm in my second year, and I like to tell people that I know enough to find an English speaker. As of this last week, I also know enough to find the bathroom.
If I could learn any other languages... Farsi and Hebrew. If I could learn any in an instant, I'd probably choose to learn them all, but if I had to choose runners-up to Farsi and Hebrew, I might go for Russian or Chinese.
Now it's your turn.
October 4, 2010
Tools of Language Learning: the Dictionary
It may seem obvious, but it's worth a mention: a dictionary can be quite important when learning another language, especially for higher-level and more motivated learners.
Many textbooks have rudimentary dictionaries in the back; other times you'll have to buy your own. If you're serious about a language, you should probably get one. Using one helped my French in high school, helps my comprehension of French literature now, and helps me in everything in Arabic.
There are several different types of dictionaries, each with different uses:
English-Arabic*: Look up a word in your native language, find it in the language you want to use it in. This type of dictionary is particularly useful when you don't know how to say something in your target language. Some have phrases and expressions, and most should have pronunciation guides. Be careful, though--knowing the word is not the same as knowing how to use it. You might also get the wrong word; I've heard of some amusing confusions of "public" and "pubic."
Arabic-English: This comes in handy for reading or listening comprehension, but be aware: languages are not the same. English, and European languages in general, are in alphabetical order. Arabic is, too, but it alphabetizes by roots so, for example, "kitaab" and "maktaba" are in the same entry (their root is k-t-b). The Chinese dictionary--well, my sources (Wikipedia) claim some have been organized by subject, others by stroke numbers, and others by phonetics. If you're in a language class, they'll teach you how to use a dictionary, usually about the same time you have to pay $40 for it.
Arabic-Arabic: The words and definitions are in the target language. This won't be much help to a beginner, but an advanced learner may find it helpful to learn a word's meaning in its original language. It's harder, but can definitely be worth it. But just because it builds character/comprehension doesn't always make it fun--
(with all due credit to Bill Watterson)
*I use this as the example because it's the one on the shelf above my desk. Assume English as the native language, Arabic as the language being learned.
Many textbooks have rudimentary dictionaries in the back; other times you'll have to buy your own. If you're serious about a language, you should probably get one. Using one helped my French in high school, helps my comprehension of French literature now, and helps me in everything in Arabic.
There are several different types of dictionaries, each with different uses:
English-Arabic*: Look up a word in your native language, find it in the language you want to use it in. This type of dictionary is particularly useful when you don't know how to say something in your target language. Some have phrases and expressions, and most should have pronunciation guides. Be careful, though--knowing the word is not the same as knowing how to use it. You might also get the wrong word; I've heard of some amusing confusions of "public" and "pubic."
Arabic-English: This comes in handy for reading or listening comprehension, but be aware: languages are not the same. English, and European languages in general, are in alphabetical order. Arabic is, too, but it alphabetizes by roots so, for example, "kitaab" and "maktaba" are in the same entry (their root is k-t-b). The Chinese dictionary--well, my sources (Wikipedia) claim some have been organized by subject, others by stroke numbers, and others by phonetics. If you're in a language class, they'll teach you how to use a dictionary, usually about the same time you have to pay $40 for it.
Arabic-Arabic: The words and definitions are in the target language. This won't be much help to a beginner, but an advanced learner may find it helpful to learn a word's meaning in its original language. It's harder, but can definitely be worth it. But just because it builds character/comprehension doesn't always make it fun--
(with all due credit to Bill Watterson)
*I use this as the example because it's the one on the shelf above my desk. Assume English as the native language, Arabic as the language being learned.
May 11, 2010
English Humor
The English language was carefully, carefully cobbled together by three blind dudes and a German dictionary.
--Dave Kellett
So true.
If the English language made any sense, a catastrophe would be an apostrophe with fur.
--Doug Larson
Ha!
The quantity of consonants in the English language is constant. If omitted in one place, they turn up in another. When a Bostonian "pahks" his "cah," the lost r's migrate southwest, causing a Texan to "warsh" his car and invest in "erl wells."
--Author Unknown
Makes sense to me.
If you can speak three languages you're trilingual. If you can speak two languages you're bilingual. If you can speak only one language you're an American.
--Author Unknown
Unfortunately, there's some truth to this. On the other hand, it's easier when everyone speaks the same language.
He who does not know foreign languages does not know anything about his own.
--Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
As I can attest.
Our language is funny - a fat chance and slim chance are the same thing.
--J. Gustav White
And a double positive, "Yeah right," is a negative.
A different language is a different vision of life.
--Federico Fellini
Arabic is a great example of this: you answer "How are you?" with "Al-hamdulilla," meaning, "Praise God."
--Dave Kellett
So true.
If the English language made any sense, a catastrophe would be an apostrophe with fur.
--Doug Larson
Ha!
The quantity of consonants in the English language is constant. If omitted in one place, they turn up in another. When a Bostonian "pahks" his "cah," the lost r's migrate southwest, causing a Texan to "warsh" his car and invest in "erl wells."
--Author Unknown
Makes sense to me.
If you can speak three languages you're trilingual. If you can speak two languages you're bilingual. If you can speak only one language you're an American.
--Author Unknown
Unfortunately, there's some truth to this. On the other hand, it's easier when everyone speaks the same language.
He who does not know foreign languages does not know anything about his own.
--Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
As I can attest.
Our language is funny - a fat chance and slim chance are the same thing.
--J. Gustav White
And a double positive, "Yeah right," is a negative.
A different language is a different vision of life.
--Federico Fellini
Arabic is a great example of this: you answer "How are you?" with "Al-hamdulilla," meaning, "Praise God."
May 8, 2010
Arabic Plurals (Or, Why English Makes More Sense than Arabic)
In English, plurals are (I think) decently easy; they generally involve adding an -s to the end of the word. There are a few weird irregulars, like man/men and mouse/mice, but the rest of the exceptions are based on word endings.
Word ends in//Plural ends in
-y//-ies
-s, -sh, -ch, -x, -z//-es
-o//-oes
-f//-ves
and words borrowed from other languages do whatever they feel like doing at the moment; the resulting complexity isn't completely English's fault. So, OK, it's not perfectly easy, but it's a rare plural that doesn't involve adding -s.
Arabic, however. I'm told there's a pattern, and sometimes I see it, but why do there have to be six different types of plurals? They're mostly divided by masculine, feminine, human, and non-human. Since almost all feminine nouns end in taa marbuta (-a), it's easy enough to change it to -alif taa (-aat).
And then you have the broken plurals, which keep the same root and switch vowels around. Razhul//rizhaal. Saahib//ashaab. Talib//talaab. They say to memorize it now and we'll understand the pattern eventually, but it's rather a pain--which is why I'm sharing it with you now. On this one, I really do think English is easier. Mostly.
Word ends in//Plural ends in
-y//-ies
-s, -sh, -ch, -x, -z//-es
-o//-oes
-f//-ves
and words borrowed from other languages do whatever they feel like doing at the moment; the resulting complexity isn't completely English's fault. So, OK, it's not perfectly easy, but it's a rare plural that doesn't involve adding -s.
Arabic, however. I'm told there's a pattern, and sometimes I see it, but why do there have to be six different types of plurals? They're mostly divided by masculine, feminine, human, and non-human. Since almost all feminine nouns end in taa marbuta (-a), it's easy enough to change it to -alif taa (-aat).
And then you have the broken plurals, which keep the same root and switch vowels around. Razhul//rizhaal. Saahib//ashaab. Talib//talaab. They say to memorize it now and we'll understand the pattern eventually, but it's rather a pain--which is why I'm sharing it with you now. On this one, I really do think English is easier. Mostly.
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