If you want a simple life, it’s good to learn another language. This can help you in another region or country, and also give you skills to get a better job. And if you get a better job that pays more for less hours, your life can be better quality, and far simpler!
Teach Your Dog Cornish is one of a series of fun books, if you have a linguistically-talented pooch! Of course, your dog is not going to speak the words, but this fun retro illustrated picture book has over 60 words and phrases that you can use to practice your own Cornish, with your furry best friend. In Cornwall, the county has its own language (although the last person to speak it as mother tongue died some time ago – she only learned to speak English age 19). People often think Cornish is Gaelic, but it is more similar to Welsh. People say that to listen to it, sounds either like English to someone who does not know the language – or like listening to someone speaking backwards! Find books to learn at The Cornish Store. Other books in the series include:
- Teach Your Dog Irish
- Teach Your Dog Welsh (or cat)
- Teach Your Dog Italian
- Teach Your Dog Spanish
- Teach Your Dog French
- Teach Your Dog Japanese
- Teach Your Dog Maori
Why Are We So Rubbish at Languages?
People in England especially are renowned for being rubbish at languages.It’s a bit embarrassing when nearly all other Europeans can speak at least one other language fluently? So what is it with England? A lot of it likely has to do with the ‘British empire’ mentality, in that some folks still think (wrongly) that we rule the world, and we have to be ‘world-beating in everything’, blah blah.
But the truth is a bit more simple than that. Firstly, languages are taught a lot later in England. Unless you grow up in a bilingual family, most children abroad start learning languages a lot earlier, around 4 or 5, as opposed to later on in England’s schools. And secondly, we are apparently learning the wrong languages. French and German (the ones most offered) are not the easiest for the native tongue. Norwegian is apparently the best one to learn. If schools introduced that instead, everything would go wonderfully, as they share the same verbs and sentence structure. For example:
vinter and sommer
kan jeg hjelpe deg?
You didn’t need help for either of those, did you? Linguists says that French is not as easy as Italian, and that all the Scandinavian languages are good bets, apart from Finnish, which is different entirely and has the world’s longest words:
lentokonesuihkuturbiinimoottoriapumekaanikkoaliupseerioppilas (it means ‘airplane jet turbine engine auxiliary mechanic)
Some other languages to avoid for non-polyglots are Polish (some say it’s like ‘Russian on steroids), Russian (there are no verbs which is why a Russian person will say ‘I am man’, instead of ‘I am a man’_. And don’t even attempt Arabic for beginners, as not only is it written differently, but includes sounds we don’t have like ‘the sound of blowing on a window pane!’ Another difficult (but popular) language is Mandarin Chinese. As well as being written differently, the same words have different meanings. So the word ‘ma’ (mother) also means horse and various other words, depending on whether you have little signs over the letters. Goodness!
If you want to learn another language and are not visiting abroad, consider getting a few books out of the library. In a modern virtual world, you may even get a good home-based job if you became fluent.
Esperanto was created as an easy universal language, designed originally to create world peace. Sadly that has not worked, but it’s far easier than most languages, as it has a shorter alphabet (28 letters). Hitler and Stalin both murdered speakers of the language from the 1930s as it did not represent ‘national ideals’. So there is a sad and serious issue behind this now fun language, that takes root words from several languages, which is why it’s good to learn. It’s also the only language with no irregular verbs nor grammatical genders (all words are pronounced phonetically like Italian – you simply say what you see!)
The Benefits of Learning Sign Language
Sign language is obviously very important for people with hearing issues, but there are also other kinds of sign language that anyone can learn. In children, sign language can lead to creative thinking and better listening skills, and also helps to promote cultural awareness. In adults, learning sign language gives your brain a good workout and results in a more inclusive society. And you can even use sign language to talk to animals! Just like other languages, sign language has its own set of rules and grammar, and is pretty easy to learn (fluent in around a year!)
Sign Language Companion is a useful book of over 400 illustrations of common signs. Helpfully formatted in groups of linked ideas, it allows the development of real conversations immediately. Topics covered include how to share ideas and interest, feelings and building relationships.
Baby Sign Language is a book to find out your baby’s wants and needs, by teaching gestures and signs to help bridge the gap of understanding. Ideal for parents with concerns about speech and language delays, baby sign language can also promote early speech, and is especially important for babies diagnosed with autism and other language issues The book features 150 illustrations of popular signs to teach, and an express program. Plus expert tips on speech and language development.
Baby Sign Language is by the founder of a popular sign language business, offering easy signing with photos forming over 100 signs, for 0 to 3 years. When babies can sign, they get frustrated less and this book shares tips to talk about meals, all done, drink, water, dirty, clean, please, thank you, yes, no, hungry, thirsty, help, light, bath, brush teeth, nappy, blanket, bed, sleep, bathroom, clothing, toy, dance, friend, take turns, gentle, dog, cat, family, feelings, walk, cloud, rain, snow, weather, bugs, butterfly, tree, leaf, bird and house.
Doggie Language is a beautifully illustrated guide to reading doggie body language. Learn to understand the subtle visual cues and interpret behaviours used by your beloved canine friend to express feelings. Compare similar facial expressions, body languages and gestures, and learn how your dog uses his ears, eyes, mouth, tail and posture to communicate to you. Also spot the signals your dog is trying to give you, to tell you if stressed or conflicted.
