cafebabel.com

Salami strategy: the art of ‘wullfing’

('Annie Rutherford',) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:21:39 -0000

With its Hungarian origins, this sausage of a saying provides European inspiration to help the German head of state Christian Wulff worm his way out of the current corruption scandal

Itanglish: new Italian dialect?

('Sebastian Baciu',) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:00:00 -0000

With their trendy gossip over social media, sometimes in a chat live online, Italians have integrated English words into their common vocabulary to a surprising extent. Does Italy still speak Italian? Or has the country switched to Itanglish, the new Anglo-Italian hybrid dialect?

'Pie chart' becomes 'camembert' chart in French class

('ZoeBBee',) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 11:12:49 -0000

The current economic climate is enough to give you indigestion, but I rue our European economics experts having the idea of using charts resembling food. It gives students like myself grumbling tummies everytime we attend economics class

Belarus schools: language of peasants or programmers?

('Annie Rutherford',) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 16:26:22 -0000

According to its constitution Belarus has two state languages - Belarusian and Russian. Authoritarian president Alexander Lukashenko has repeatedly emphasised the equality of both, but nationalist Belarusians view the state policy as 'russification'. The argument is being played out in the schools

‘Learning German is pointless’: British students abandon foreign languages

('Tim Mac an Airchinnigh',) — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 10:51:10 -0000

Could the British actually be getting worse at language learning? Apparently so. In a 21st century UK, more young people than ever are questioning why they should learn a second language at all

David Lescot: 'Europe is nothing more than a piggy bank for artists'

('Darren Thompson',) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0000

The fearless French playwright, musician and director, 38, attacks the concept of Europe in his latest show 'L’Européenne', a wacky commentary on a continent that is still seeking to find itself

In favour of domain names in Latin characters

('Maira Cabrini',) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:27:52 -0000

The organisation managing the domain name system will allow the use of every possible character from 16 November. With one hitch - there are over 100, 000! It may be a nice symbol for multipolarity, but a step backwards for effective communication between people

Languages: Dutch amidst French in bilingual Brussels

('Sarah Truesdale',) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:27:21 -0000

On the footpaths of Brussels your ears catch a litany of languages. In this European city, the official status of the bilingualism can be seen everywhere, especially in job advertisements. Is this a question of identity or discrimination in recruitment?

Students think 'Europa' at the International School, Seville

('Kate Stansfield',) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:28:37 -0000

Not yet at university, but they are already pondering Europe’s identity. They speak foreign languages, know other countries and want to be listened to, to be able to give their opinion for a better future. Who are these young people? What do they know about Europe? Do they believe in the European dream?

EU day of languages, Paris: why Portuguese singer Lio wants to hug you

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 09:30:00 -0000

The current rotating EU president-holders emphasise the human, not institutional touch of learning languages in Europe. Testimonies from an Abba-themed press conference before celebrations for the first time in the French capital on 26 September

‘Holland, Denmark are language learning examples for France, England and Spain’

('Kate Stansfield',) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:49:26 -0000

In Spain, professionals like Ignacio Bosque condemn the lack of government investment into language teaching in European universities

Overworked, underpaid in a French call centre

('Martyn Hawkins',) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Too many young Europeans are forced to work in bad conditions to finance their studies in France. Why a young Italian quit

Laura Cesana: 'There should be more Erasmus programmes for teachers'

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:00:00 -0000

A linguist and voyager, the Italian painter transported her Jewish origins from the United States to Portugal, where her multiple identities are exhibited by a flourishing brushstroke

One-horse town

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 17:31:00 -0000

European School in Strasbourg

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 12:00:00 -0000

The first European school in the Alsatian capital opens in September 2008. Concerns arise that it will undermine the international sections of existing schools and how it will relate to the EU

The language of the republic is French

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Alsace and Moselle’s bilingualism has just weathered a political storm. From now on, electoral documents will have to be written only in French. Yet, the German language has opened a window of opportunity in Europe. Debate

Spot the Italian (or German) in South Tyrol

('Ed Saunders',) — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 12:00:00 -0000

The fortunate can discover the possibilities of European linguistic diversity at the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano. Multilingualism shows its true colours here – both good and bad

Kosovo independence: your reactions

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 12:00:00 -0000

On 17 February, the state declared independence from Serbia, amidst a split EU outlook. Kosovar, Serb and Russian youth sound out their reactions on the day

Waiting for Godot

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0000

How do you 'stand someone up' - miss a date or meeting with someone - in other European langages? From the Portuguese to the Dutch, learn the comical expressions

Multilingualism: ‘English is not enough’

Mon, 11 Dec 2006 12:00:00 -0000

27 states, 23 languages; Leonard Orban, Romanian Commissioner-designate for multilingualism, is to head the new European tower of Babel in 2007

Free schooling for expat children

Mon, 18 Sep 2006 14:00:00 -0000

Firms in Poland increasingly fund the bilingual education of expats’ children. But financial problems and contract negotiations impede access to exclusive international schools

Belgium: a linguistic laboratory

Mon, 16 Jan 2006 08:14:00 -0000

Belgium's autonomous regions aren't speaking the same language.