In today’s newsletter:
🔸 A spotlight on the Albanian language
🔸 What limiting beliefs have you gotten rid of that made you a better language learner?
🔸 A language learning resource recommendation
Hey Reader. August has arrived! I hope everyone in the northern hemisphere has been making the best of the weather. To those in the south, the days can only get longer. There’s a positive spin for you!
You might see me occasionally experimenting with the timing, structure of topics of the newsletter over time. Not to worry, the core will always be about the world and its languages. That won’t be changing anytime soon!
This week’s change: I’m introducing a section spotlighting useful tools for language learning (not sponsored, just me repping things I like), as well as a section on languages. Love it or hate it, please let me know!
Simon
Did you know you can reply to this email? I read every response, and interesting responses can be featured in future editions.
🛠️ Resource spotlight: Readlang
I’ve been quite a fan of Readlang for a while now. The premise is simple: read more and faster by getting quick translations when you click on a word. Save those words for later review. The free tier is perfectly functional, but for only $6 per month for additional features, a subscription won’t break the bank.
From around the web 🌐
People
How interpreters do it.
A small piece from National Geographic about the life of the Fulani people.
Languages
A story from someone who said their parents felt embarrassed when they spoke their mother tongue.
Language Learning
What limiting beliefs have you gotten rid of that made you a better language learner?
Linguistics
Ever notice how some words seem to get more or less taboo over time? Welcome to the euphemism treadmill.
🗣️ Language Spotlight: Albanian
Did you know that nobody really knows where Albanian came from? Linguists agree it’s Indo-European, but beyond that we’re in the dark. Some have suggested they are related to the Illyrians.
Also, did you know that Albania is highly religiously diverse? I can say from my experience visiting there that for most Albanians, religion really seems to take a back seat to national affiliation.
Mondecast is a bi-weekly newsletter about people: their lives, their languages, and their cultures
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