A surge in interest in language learning has emerged as a phenomenon of the current social distancing. One popular language learning apps has claimed increased usage of more than 200%, while others are reporting new sales up more than 50%.
— Read on www.research.ox.ac.uk/Article/2020-03-30-coronavirus-lockdown-linked-to-surge-in-language-learning
Acronyms in the French press.
One of the least pleasing things about reading French journalism is the ubiquity of acronyms. They are rarely explained, though here, for once, is an exception.
I couldn’t help feeling there was something portentous about it, as if it heralded in some sense its own doom. LJ
From bang-a-bonk to cold turkey – it pays to increase your word power — GYLES BRANDRETH
“It pays to increase your word power” was a regular title in the Reader’s Digest, as I recall. LJ
From bang-a-bonk to cold turkey – it pays to increase your word power — GYLES BRANDRETH
— Read on www.gylesbrandreth.net/blog/2019/7/31/dfq0cerehvh0oag2bnn0a6x282aqbq
La conséquence de la paresse, la suffisance et l’indifférence des imbéciles tenant les rênes dans nos établissements scolaires
Behemoth, bully, thief: how the English language is taking over the planet | News | The Guardian
The international hegemony of English is indeed troubling, as is the tentacular presence of American culture. Vive la différence! That said, mastery of the lingua franca within a nation, English in England, French in France and so on, would seem to me to be a fitting intellectual project, if not a requirement (but let us be compassionate here) for those aspiring to citizenship.
Let us not forget Goethe’s aphoristic injunction:
“Wer fremde Sprachen nicht kennt, weiß nichts von seiner eigenen.”
(He who cannot speak languages other than his own, knows nothing of his own. Goethe: Maxim 91)
Personally, I have no time for the zealous indignation of the lawyer who arrogantly sought to upbraid those speaking Spanish (thug and fool), but perhaps still less for the angry herd that subsequently persecuted him (thugs, fools and creatures of the crowd). America seems unwell.
Some very interesting points are raised in the article below, admittedly not for the first time, but the timing of their exposition nevertheless seems appropriate, in this troubled world, with its conflicting bogus certitudes and their crassly indignant advocates.
LJ
The long read: No language in history has dominated the world quite like English does today. Is there any point in resisting?
— Read on www.theguardian.com/news/2018/jul/27/english-language-global-dominance
Chiliarch – Wikipedia
Chiliarch – Wikipedia
— Read on en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiliarch
“Allt vad jag ansåg löjligt och smått behandlades med högtidligt allvar och allt vad jag vördade som stort och berömvärt häcklades.” from “Röda rummet (Swedish Edition)” by August Strindberg. How true those words are, even to-day!
Händerna mot himlen
Useful as a guide to pronunciation, perhaps…
