Language is a fascinating subject to study. The below infographic “50+ Fascinating Language Facts You Didn’t Know” is from TakeLessons.com. (Click through to see a larger form of the graphic.)
Isn’t it amazing that the Hawaiian language has 200 different words for rain? (Here is an article discussing it.)
Enjoy!
via takelessons
Saving the World, One Romance at a Time
Fascinating! Though I am a native English speaker, I can’t imagine having to learn it as a second language. A relative of mine teaches ESOL students, and describes some interesting questions they have about our words. One person quizzed her about the use of “tire.” This Spanish person heard someone speak of getting new tires for their car. Then she said, “Why do people say, ‘I’m tire?'” (She thought that’s what they were saying.)
Thanks for this unusual post.
Fascinating! When my husband and I were going to spend a few weeks in China, we asked one of his Chinese graduate students to tutor us in the language. I managed to memorize a few short phrases, but the right side of my brain never caught on.
Shie shie for a great article!
Wow! Interesting facts. Especially the one about pinocchio!
Can I have my book translated into the whistling language of La Gomera?
I really love this!! I will keep a copy on my computer for future reference. I’ve only gotten through a quarter or so of it but it reminded me of the old joke:
Q. If someone who is bilingual speaks two languages and someone who is trilingual speaks three languages, what is someone who speaks only one language called?
A. An American.
I am very thankful that the Bible is the most translated book, but Pinocchio is second?? That really surprised me.
Hey, and here I was, thinking English was the world’s most spoken language. Silly me.