Foreign language skills as the ultimate 21st century global competency: Empowerment in a globalized world — my newest peer-reviewed article! :)

“In a world where we are all talking, tweeting and live-streaming with each other, we must be able to understand each other – foreign languages are the ultimate social media tool! Foreign language skills are the ultimate, overarching 21st century global competency, important in our careers and in our lives as local and global citizens. Yet, in the U.S., fewer than 20% of K-12 public school students study another language and only 8% of college and university are enrolled in a course in a language other than English. In addition, only one in four Americans is capable of holding a conversation in another language.”

Read more @ http://www.consortiacademia.org/index.php/ijrsll/article/view/1856

Languages do matter!

 

Everything you need to know about Ferragosto

“Why is August 15 a holiday? The Local looks at the history behind Ferragosto, and how you can celebrate the day like an Italian.

What are we celebrating?

August 15th is when Roman Catholics celebrate the Assumption of the virgin Mary into Heaven – the day when Catholics believe Mary ascended to heaven “body and soul” after the end of her life on earth.

However, it was a holiday in Italy long before it took on a religious significance.

In Roman times, the celebrations included horse races, and the Siena Palio dell’Assunta, which takes place on August 16th, keeps these traditions alive.

Today, the holiday combines both its ancient Roman and Catholic roots; it also marks the semi-official start of Italy’s summer holiday season.”

 

Read more @ https://www.thelocal.it/20170814/everything-you-need-to-know-about-ferragosto-assumption-august-15th-italy-national-public-holiday-

Languages do matter!

When Is National Acadian Day Celebrated? (August 15th)

“August 15 is National Acadian Day.  Choosing this day was one of the highlights of the first National Acadian Convention in Memramcook, New Brunswick in 1881.  This issue raised important discussions.   Delegates were exposed to several suggestions, but the debate mainly focused on the Saint-Jean-Baptiste, French Canada’s national holiday, which is celebrated on June 24, and Our Lady of Assumption, which is celebrated on August 15.

Supporters of the Saint-Jean-Baptiste agreed that a holiday common to all French Canadians would unite them around common objectives, facing the country’s Anglophone majority.”

Read more @ http://museeacadien.org/an/online-resources/frequently-asked-questions/de-la-fete-nationale-des-acadiens/

Languages do matter!

Over 9,800 views of Kathy’s TEDx talk on the U.S. Foreign Language Deficit — Thank you!!! :)

Over 9,800 views — Many thanks to all of you who have taken the time to view my TEDx talk on the U.S. Foreign Language Deficit.

View more @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CZ7zu5Aeu0

Languages do matter!

Why millennials are the next tourism frontier

“The age group – loosely defined as those born from the early 1980’s to 2000 – spends around $200bn (£153bn) on travel each year, according to market research firm FutureCast.

And overall, they have more cash to splash than any previous generation, with around $6tn in disposable income.

And a growing number of travel firms are trying to get a slice of the market.”

Read more @ http://www.bbc.com/news/business-40701934

Languages do matter!

The U.S. Foreign Language Deficit: Strategies for Maintaining a Competitive Edge in a Globalized World — 855 downloads and 150 Worldcat libraries! :)

I am delighted that my newest book, The U.S. Foreign Language Deficit: Strategies for Maintaining a Competitive Edge in a Globalized World, has had 855 downloads and is held in 150 Worldcat libraries.

Read more @ https://www.palgrave.com/us/book/9783319341583 and

http://www.worldcat.org/title/us-foreign-language-deficit-strategies-for-maintaining-a-competitive-edge-in-a-globalized-world/oclc/992858921&referer=brief_results

Languages do matter!

The Glossary of Happiness

“Could understanding other cultures’ concepts of joy and well-being help us reshape our own? The Positive Lexicography Project aims to catalogue foreign terms for happiness that have no direct English translation.”

Read more @ http://www.newyorker.com/tech/elements/the-glossary-of-happiness

Languages do matter!

German language officially gets 5,000 new words

“‘Emoji’ is now a German word, as are ‘Darknet’ and ‘Tablet.’ The official dictionary of the German language, the Duden, is getting an update, adding 5,000 new words taken from contemporary society.

The 27th edition of the Duden comes in at 1,264 pages and contains a whopping 145,000 words – 5,000 more than its previous version, released in 2013.

A look at some of the new additions reveals that most are neologisms – words that have entered common use as a result of a specific occurrence or event.”

Read more @ http://www.dw.com/en/german-language-officially-gets-5000-new-words/a-39992809

Languages do matter!

Over 21,000 views and over 13,000 visitors for Language Matters– Thank you! :)

Many thanks to all of you who have taken the time to visit, to view,  to comment, and to follow Language Matters!  🙂

Languages do matter!

The Most Commonly Spoken Foreign Languages in Each State

“One of the most remarkable aspects of the United States is its diversity, as a myriad of different cultures and ethnicities mix together every day. Still, the cultural mix is different in each state — and inevitably so are the most spoken languages.

While English and Spanish dominate the charts in nearly every state, several other languages follow not too far behind. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, close to 40 million U.S. residents speak Spanish at home, followed by 2.1 million Chinese speakers. Tagalog, Vietnamese, French, Arabic, and Korean are each spoken by over a million people nationwide.”

Read more @ http://247wallst.com/special-report/2017/07/01/the-most-commonly-spoken-foreign-languages-in-each-state/?utm_source=AOL&utm_medium=CPC&utm_content=the-most-commonly-spoken-foreign-languages-in-each-state&utm_campaign=AOL

Languages do matter!