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Posted by Teddy Nee on February 08, 2011

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5 Famous Polyglots and Their Learning Techniques

You may have watched videos of people speaking in multiple languages. Some of them even call themselves hyperpolyglots. Whether they really can speak fluently or not, we don't know unless we test them. However, here I shall present 5 renowned polyglots that have been on the news, in the community worldwide and have proved their exceptional linguistic capabilities.

6 Local Writing Systems in Indonesia

Indonesia is a vast country in Southeast Asia that anyone can recognize easily on the map because it borders the sea, thus its country border is also the sea border. Hundreds of ethnic groups and languages exist in Indonesia. Despite having numerous writing systems, the government recognizes the Latin alphabet as the official writing system, which was introduced during the colonization by the Europeans.

Nauruan Language

The Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a two-day event promoting the Asia-Pacific culture in the capital city of Taiwan, Taipei City, on September 28-29th. The participants come from the Solomon Islands, the Philippines, the Marshall Islands, Vietnam, Tuvalu, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea, New Zealand, Palau, Nauru, Malaysia, Kiribati, Japan, Indonesia, India, Fiji, and Brunei. Apart from performing dances from each country, the participants also displayed a wide variety of handicrafts and artworks as well as authentic cuisine at each country's booth.

I speak 4 languages in Penang Malaysia and I shall learn 1 more language

I spoke 4 languages: Hokkien, Indonesian, English, and Mandarin on my recent trip to Penang. There was no communication barrier since the Penangnites are mostly multilingual too, at least, they know a bit of each language. They are also familiar with the Indonesian language because of the many tourists from Indonesia, either for tourism or medical checkups. I had learnt Tamil before but it was not enough for me to have a conversation yet. I will learn Tamil more seriously from now on, so I can use it on my next trip to Penang.

Chavacano language: The Spanish language of Asia

Chavacano is a Spanish-based Creole language spoken primarily in Zamboanga City and parts of the Philippines. Originating during the Spanish colonial era, it blends Spanish vocabulary with local Philippine languages like Tagalog and Cebuano. Approximately 70% of its lexicon comes from Spanish, yet it features unique grammatical structures. Chavacano is a vital cultural identifier for its speakers and is used in local media and education. Despite challenges from dominant languages like Tagalog and English, efforts to preserve and promote Chavacano continue, highlighting its importance in the Philippines' linguistic heritage. I had the chance to learn this beautiful language on a language-learning platform called Italki. My teacher was the only Chavacano teacher so I felt fortunate to have found her. I find this language easy to learn because I already know Spanish. Chavacano sounds like the Filipino version of the Spanish language.

Salary Disparity Between Foreign English Teachers and Office Workers in Taiwan

Taiwan is a popular destination for foreign English teachers. Many come to Taiwan because of the good pay and benefits compared to other jobs. However, there is a noticeable difference between the salaries of foreign English teachers and regular office workers. English Teacher Salaries Foreign English teachers in Taiwan can earn between $2,000 to $3,000 USD per month. Some teachers may earn more depending on their experience and the school they work for. Many schools also offer benefits such as housing allowances, bonuses, and paid vacations. Some teachers take extra tutoring jobs, which can pay $20 to $25 USD per hour. Office Worker Salaries In contrast, regular office workers in Taiwan often earn much less. The average salary for an office worker is around $1,000 to $1,500 USD per month. Many office workers work long hours, sometimes 50 to 60 hours per week, but their salaries remain lower than those of foreign teachers. Reasons for the Salary Difference There are several reasons why...

Uzbek language: A Central Asian treasure

Yulduzkhan Turgunova Uzbek is the official language of Uzbekistan and belongs to the Turkic language family. It is spoken by over 32 million people and has several dialects, with Northern and Southern Uzbek being the most prominent. Historically written in Arabic script, Uzbek transitioned to Latin script in the 1920s and later to Cyrillic script during the Soviet era. Since Uzbekistan's independence in 1991, there has been a renewed effort to promote the Latin alphabet. The language reflects a rich cultural heritage, incorporating influences from Persian, Arabic, and Russian, making it a vital part of Central Asian identity. As a language enthusiast, the Turkic languages are also a treasure awaiting to be discovered. I began with learning the most popular Turkic language, that is Turkish. Then I read somewhere that Uzbek is even the easiest Turkic language because it lacks vowel harmony and other aspects of the Turkic languages. It is quite easy to find learning materials for Uzbe...

The Beauty of Chinese Character

People who have studied Chinese must realize that Chinese character is not just a character, but it is also an art. Every stroke in the character forms a beautiful combination of a meaning. It is said that Chinese character evolves from time to time based on the actual object. Although I cannot say that it is 100% true, there are books about Chinese pictogram. For example, you can see below how "sun" and "moon" was written in the past and the evolution of it until nowadays. Characters 日 and 月, on far right, are the characters used today.

The Importance of Knowing Medan Hokkien for International Communication

Knowing Medan Hokkien can be very beneficial for communication, especially in international settings. Medan Hokkien is a dialect spoken by many Chinese Indonesians, and it connects people across different cultures. Medan Hokkien helps connect Chinese Indonesians with their roots. Many people from Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore also speak Hokkien. Knowing this language allows for better communication with these communities, making it easier to build friendships and partnerships. In today’s global market, speaking Medan Hokkien can open doors to business opportunities. Many companies in Southeast Asia value employees who can communicate in local languages. There is a saying in Hokkien, "kaki lang (our people)," indicating Hokkien people's uniqueness and solidarity to strengthen their community. Language is a big part of culture. By learning Medan Hokkien, individuals can better understand the hundred-year-old traditions and values of Medan Hokkien-speaking communities that...

Medan Hokkien

Medan Hokkien is a vibrant and distinct dialect of the Hokkien language, primarily spoken by the Chinese Indonesian community in Medan, the capital city of North Sumatra, Indonesia. This dialect is a testament to the region's rich cultural tapestry, reflecting a history of migration, trade, and cultural exchange. History Medan Hokkien's roots can be traced back to the Hokkien-speaking areas of Southern Fujian province in China, particularly the Zhangzhou region. The dialect evolved significantly, especially during the 18th and 19th centuries when trade between the eastern coasts of Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula flourished. The influx of Chinese laborers, mainly from Penang, brought the Hokkien dialect, which mingled with the local languages and customs, giving rise to the unique variant we know today as Medan Hokkien. Medan Hokkien is a means of communication and a carrier of cultural identity for the Chinese Indonesian community. It encapsulates the history of migration, the...

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