Respect for the European Day of Languages 2010

On the occasion of the annual European Day of Languages celebrated throughout the Council of Europe’s 47 member states, respect for others’ languages, cultures and identities is a precondition for creating a European space for mutual respect and cooperation in Europe, said Minister Antonio Miloshoski, Minister of Foreign Affairs & Chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. Read more

Foreign language proficiency pays – official!

Did you know that the US Airforce is offering its foreign language proficiency bonus to all its airmen, not just those in jobs that require them to speak a foreign language?

The monthly amount they receive depends on the language and proficiency level. The most popular languages Read more

Did you know … that elephants have a secret language?

Researchers at San Diego Zoo have been monitoring communications between African elephants and have found what has been described as a “secret language”.

Elephant’s are well-known for their trumpeting calls, but did you know that they also growl?   Read more

Oktoberfest 2010

The Munich Oktoberfest held in Germany will take place from 18^th September until 3rd October 2010. It is a huge festival dedicated to lots of beer drinking! This is a particulary special year as the festival celebrates its 200th anniversary!

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2010 – A Special Year For Mexico… Viva Mexico!

Every year on the 16^th September, millions of Mexicans around the world celebrate Mexico’s independence from Spanish rule. For almost 300 years, the indigenous peoples of Mexico had suffered from the ruthless dictatorship of the Spaniards.  

This year is a very special year for Mexico as it is the bicentenary of Mexico’s independence from Spain. With parties in many zocalos around Mexico on the 15th September and then parades on the 16th September, it was truly a large fiesta for the country.

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Should Dying Languages be Saved?

Of the 6,000 languages spoken worldwide, the Foundation for Endangered Languages estimates that between 500 and 1,000 are spoken by only a handful of people, and every year the world loses around 25 languages.  This is known as language death.

Earlier this year, the Bo tribe became extinct and the Bo language died out when its last speaker, an 85-year-old who had survived the December 2004 tsunami, died in the Indian Andaman islands.

Language experts gathered at a UK university to discuss what to do about dying languages, and focused on indigenous languages in Ireland, Australia, Spain and China.

Read more about whether dying languages are worth saving>>

Find out how to learn to speak lesser known languages and get the language advantage>>