Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Why learn a new language?

For many people, there's something inherently enjoyable about successfully speaking in another tongue. Perhaps that's one reason children sometimes speak in secret codes of their own. Understanding a language means understanding some fine, culturally enriching aspects of different societies.

Learning a new language helps you master your own language as you tend to compare them by studying almost every aspect minutely. It becomes easy to understand the language structure which is based on grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, punctuations and so on.

Breaking the barrier: World has become a global village. The barriers are loosening up with the help of transportation and communication blended with technology. Gone are the days when French was spoken only in France and Indian food was available only in Asian countries. There is a mix of culture and fashion at all places. With numerous languages spoken all over the world still the world is becoming a small place to dwell in.

Different mindset and perspective: While learning a new language you are learning a lot more about that society, community, their people, etc. You broaden your outlook of looking at the world. You get a new perspective towards people and situations. You may also get acquainted to their thinking pattern be it traditional or modern.

Your travel becomes a lot more enjoyable at various cities. The conversations with the locals will help you find the right direction to your destination without people fooling you around!

Study and career: If you dream of going for a study exchange programme, knowing another language will help you lead the race. Also, if you are working in organization which involves foreign trade, tourism, hospitality or if you want to specialize in the professional field of journalism, advertising, media, translators and interpreters, this rare skill is in demand. You can add more friends to your list and widen your social circle.

Exploring an opportunity: You can explore an opportunity only when you get creative ideas. To have such ideas you need to be aware about the surrounding world and know other people’s views. Communication plays an important role here in understanding public views. And when you know their language it eases this process.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Learning Spanish offers a lot more with fun

Not only is learning Spanish becoming increasingly important in terms of the global economy, it can also play a major role in your own personal development. Learning Spanish for a specific purpose is fine, but you'll enjoy your studies a lot more and get more out of them if you appreciate the language itself.

I believe that the true learning of a language is when you see the beauty of the language and everything a second language offers: a better understanding of your own language, the ability to converse with people from other cultures, and more enjoyable travels in countries where that language is spoken.

Learning a new language makes you bi-lingual and very employable because bilingual people are more marketable and have more career choices. Helps you enhance better critical thinking skills - being bilingual means seeing the world through more than 1 lense; a skill that can give you the much-needed edge in the job market.

This is something that not many people (in relative terms) can do and makes the skill something that will definitely help you along the career path. You would be more appealing to employers if your resume reflects that you have Spanish skills. And wherever you live, if you're in any occupation that involves international trade, communications or tourism, you'll similarly find opportunities to use your new language skills.

The Spanish passion for living is contagious and once you start to learn about the language and culture, you won't ever want to stop. Once you know Spanish you can be friends with any of the 40 million Spanish speakers in the United States. And how about traveling throughout Mexico, Spain, & Latin America to enjoy the night life with flamenco dances, watching the bullfights and the exciting football matches?

It's a chance to experience new music, food, movies, & much more! A large body of literary work is written in Spanish and Spanish language films continue to receive praise from the film industry and viewers.

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Interesting Facts on Spanish

  • The word 'Bye' is used in both English and Spanish meaning the same thing.
  • The names of most of the days of the week in both English and Spanish come from the names of planets and the Roman gods.
  • The word chocolate came to Spanish from Nahautl, an indigenous Mexican tongue. The word eventually became part of the Spanish vocabulary, and then English.
  • Panama, the Spanish-language country has its currency printed in English only. The U.S. dollar is the official currency of Panama, where it's called the balboa. Panama has its own coins, however.
  • The most popular Spanish Bible was translated by Casiodoro de Reina in 1569 and revised by Cipriano de Valera in 1602. The translation has been updated several times since.
  • Nearly 30 percent of the residents of Spain have a first language other than Spanish, although most also use Spanish as a second language. Languages of Spain include Catalan, Galician and Basque.
  • The Spanish word ‘alfabeto’ and the English word ‘alphabet’ both are derived from the first two letters of the Greek alphabet, alpha and beta.

Friday, February 15, 2008

Learn Spanish on internet

Learning Spanish could have never been as easy with internet as it is today. Just take your time and check out the numerous websites offering online courses and reading material about the language. Also there are many forums, communities and groups of people who are learning as well as sharing their knowledge of Spanish. You can access through such systems and get to meet Spanish natives and professionals in Spanish language.

There is almost every detail available about the language on such links right from the alphabets to their hard-core literature. You can browse through the vocabulary, grammar, accents, pronounciation, sound and so many other aspects. All you need to do is devote some time daily for such fun-loving activity.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Spanish cuisine with aromatic wines

Spanish cuisine is heavily influenced by seafood available from the waters that surround the country, and reflects the country's deep Mediterranean roots. The essential ingredient for real Spanish cooking is olive oil, as Spain produces 44% of the world's olives. A modern Spanish cook can not do without potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and beans.

There are many dishes of lamb and veal, but - perhaps a bit surprising considering its geographic location - Madrid is a real paradise for the lovers of any kind of fish. It has the second biggest fish market in the world (behind Tokyo), and as well in shops as in many Restaurants you will find an ample selection and extraordinary quality. Ideally fitting to such a meal are the young and aromatic wines from the region, Vinos de Madrid. To finish your dinner in a very typical way, try a cup of Anisado de Chinchón, anisette schnapps.

Spain's formidable variety of quality wines remain little known outside the country. Spain produces about 11 unique varieties that range from the generous dry wines, through to the sparkling wines, the rose and the valuable gran reservas. There is a Spanish wine for every occasion and every type of meal.