Language Trotter

02/02/2016

Did you know?
Most English grammar and spelling follow the standardised rules set out in Dr Johnson’s Dictionary, which was published in 1755.

25/01/2016

POTA PIG - La Maresana.....

Parodia Peppa Pig in bergamasco Twitter: https://twitter.com/ilvava77 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ol.vava.3

24/01/2016

Have a lovely Sunday to you all :)

22/01/2016

Have you already visited our website? Are you curious what is our programme about? Enroll and spend a part of your summer with us. Surely it will be the best choice you have ever made. For further details.... or drop us an emial: [email protected]

Tired of learning in the classroom behind the desk? Tired of grey days when you know it’s time to go to your private teacher to come across any language difficulties? Or maybe you do not know what to do and where to go next summer? Here you are ...

21/01/2016

Did you know?
Girl used to mean small boy or girl.

The word “girl” was not initially used to refer to a specific gender. It used to mean “child” or “young person” regardless of the gender.

20/01/2016

How to be polite and show respect in German

German is one of those languages that differentiate between a formal and informal you, especially when it comes to business. Always use the formal Sie for people you've just met and only switch to the informal du after being invited to do so.
Play it safe and address a person unknown to you with Herr, Mr, or Frau, Ms, followed by their surname. The German Fräulein for an unmarried woman is totally out-of-date.

Germans strongly differentiate between work and play. A firm handshake is the traditional formal greeting. In a more informal setting, simply say Hallo and possibly pursue with cheek-kissing, which is very much en vogue amongst women with their friends, whether male or female, but not so much between male friends, who prefer a firm pat on the shoulder.

Titles are still very important, so don't be surprised to find many people in Germany calling themselves Doktor. This title is more proof of academic credentials than of medical skills.

20/01/2016

First publication

The oldest existing book written in the German language is probably Abrogans, an 8th century manuscript dictionary of translations from Latin into Old High German. One copy has survived and is kept in the library of St. Gallen in Switzerland.

One of the oldest literary works is the Hildebrandslied, the song of Hildebrand, dating back to the 9th century. It's a heroic lay, telling the tragic encounter in a battle between a son, Hadubrand, and his unrecognised father, Hildebrand.

19/01/2016

Another interesting fact about the English language.
Swims will be swims even when turned upside down.
Such words are usually called ambigrams.

18/01/2016

POTA PIG and the parrot...... enjoy this short video in "in Bergamasco" :) :)

Parodia Peppa Pig in bergamasco Twitter: https://twitter.com/ilvava77 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ol.vava.3

16/01/2016

Have a great weekend folks!

14/01/2016

Did you know?
There’s a name for words that we repeat often.
Words we always use even though they add no meaning or value to the sentence are called crutch words. For example, in the sentence “Then I was like, OMG, then like, he went there, and like…” it is pretty obvious that “like” is the crutch word. “Actually,” “honestly,” and “basically” are also commonly used as crutch words.

13/01/2016

Famous quotations in German

German is widely known as the language of the Dichter und Denker, writers and thinkers. One of the greatest is Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832). His drama Faust I (1808) is considered his greatest work and a national treasure, as well as the source of many quotations still present in everyday German.

The phrase des Pudels Kern, lit. the core of the poodle, is often used for expressing a deeper meaning. Named after the character Gretchen in Faust, die Gretchenfrage, lit. the Gretchen question, aims at your heart and soul, often triggering a confession or a difficult decision.

From a more recent source by another famous German writer, Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956), comes the ultimate insight into human nature:
Erst kommt das Fressen, dann kommt die Moral.
Food comes first, then morals.
Die Dreigroschenoper, The Threepenny Opera, 1928