BALAJCZA Linguistic Services (Global)’s Post

Are we getting the full benefit from the 170-plus languages spoken in Aotearoa New Zealand? We think more coherent support, ideally through a National Languages Policy, would help solve some significant problems and possibly even save money over time. Here's why - have a read and then let us know what you think. Aotearoa New Zealand’s increasing language diversity is a potential strength for social cohesion, identity, trade, tourism, educational achievement and intercultural understanding. However, lack of central government recognition and support has led to underutilisation of this valuable resource. Few children have the opportunity to learn their heritage language at school, let alone the opportunity to use it in their learning. Most community language classes have no government support, and children studying a language outside school hours get no recognition for their learning in their school reports. Deaf children are not always supported to learn and use NZSL and may not have access to NZSL interpreters or peers in school. The lack of availability of interpreting services severely impacts on migrants – e.g. in health; social services and justice; and many more. A more coherent language policy that ensured consistent support for language diversity across government agencies could resolve these and other issues, enabling our nation to gain the full benefit of our many languages. An effective national languages policy would be much wider than just education. It would need to be supported across multiple portfolios including Ethnic Communities; Arts, Culture and Heritage; Māori Development; Pacific Peoples; and Education. It would specifically address and be underpinned by te reo Māori, encompass official recognition and support for Realm languages (Te Reo Kuki Airani, Vagahau Niue and Gagana Tokelau) and for the other major Pacific languages spoken in our nation (Gagana Samoa and Lea Faka-Tonga), and would recognise the value of all languages. It would provide for access to English as a second language teaching; interpreting and translation services; bilingual and immersion education; language diversity in government communications and broadcasting; formal and informal opportunities for language learning; and support for maintaining heritage languages within families and communities. There is an opportunity to pick up the efforts of 30 years ago towards more coherent support for languages across settings and agencies, including more consistent support for the many organisations that support language diversity across Aotearoa. #languages #diversity #languagespolicy

There is no such thing as Standard English The notion of a singular "Standard English" is a myth. In reality, there are many Standard Englishes, each with their own distinct characteristics and features. Across the Anglosphere, wherever English is used formally, there exists a Standardized English that serves as the dominant variety of language for professional and academic purposes. For instance, Scottish Standard English, Standard American English, and Nigerian Standard English are all examples of standardized forms that have emerged to meet the needs of their respective communities. Standard English is a social variety of language that is predominantly used in writing and is generally constructed through the removal of idiosyncrasies and shibboleths often associated with race and class. While standardization has a particular use, it is essential to recognize that Standard English is not a superior kind of language; it is simply a tool of communication. For example, Standard Irish English and Standard Singaporean English perform the same functions: they allow speakers to communicate more clearly in certain situations and media formats. Though they fill the same role for speakers, the particular features of Standard Englishes differ significantly - for example, in Standard American English, saying "they are wanting something" is incorrect, whereas in Standard Scottish English, this phrasing is acceptable. In Standard Singapore English nouns like"staff" and "luggage" are considered countable, while in Standard Australian English they are not. Multidialectalism is a form of multilingualism: learning a Standard English is merely adding another tool to one's linguistic repertoire, and should be treated only as a set of language skills to be acquired. Standard English should not be wielded as a tool to criticize or demean individuals. Language skills should be taught through acquisition, not assimilation, allowing individuals to develop their unique linguistic profiles and identities without stigmatising language use or forcing certain demographics to abandon their natural speech patterns. #multilingualism #language #englishlanguage #inclusivity

Oftentimes when I tell people my agency handles 8+ different languages, that’s somehow mistaken and people think I speak 8 languages myself. No… I speak Korean and English, and together they make about 1.5 languages in total. When I was a student at a translation/interpretation grad school, my friends and I found that the more we study, the more we realize how much we don’t know. We all came in believing we’re bilingual but by the end of the first semester we were referring ourselves as “alingual” - a mix of an inside joke and the typical low self-esteem of grad school students. I still low key believe that being bilingual is just a concept. Sure, there are exams that grade people’s language skills, but can one truly “master” a language? How can anyone be confident that they know all the expressions, idioms, industry jargon, new terms, and all that even in their native language? I’ve definitely heard English speakers say “speak English” many times. That being said, my team always struggles to achieve perfection for our customers. And honestly, it can be a humbling experience to be a language worker. As much as we acknowledge that there’s no one definitive answer in the world of language, we always aim to deliver the best version possible. #localization #l10n #translation #interpretation

My wife and I are raising a multilingual child 6 languages and counting. What have we learned? As a bilingual education expert, I've spent years guiding parents on language strategies. But when my daughter was born, I realized it was time to put theory into practice. We knew exactly what we wanted: our child to speak Mina, Ewe, Twi, Ga, French, and English fluently. Sounds ambitious, right? But we're making it happen, one conversation at a time. We use The One Parent, One Language (OPOL) Approach My wife speaks Mina with our daughter, while I speak French. And guess what? It's working naturally. Why I love OPOL - No forced language lessons - No stressful language planning - Just authentic, everyday conversations Friends, immersion is the key 😊 Our daughter is picking up the other languages Ewe, Twi, Ga( not yet evident), and English through immersion - from family, friends, and her environment. Here's what we have learned: - Consistency is key (stick to your native language) - Quality interactions matter (focus on meaningful conversations) - Support each other (language learning is a team effort) - Be patient (language acquisition takes time) You might want to check the Science behind OPOL Research from Barron-Hauwaert, Tabors, De Houwer, and Kuhl confirms OPOL's effectiveness. You can do It too. Don't be intimidated by multiple languages. With OPOL, you can: - Preserve your cultural heritage - Foster cognitive flexibility - Enhance language skills What languages are you raising your child with? What are your tips? Share in the comments! #MultilingualParenting #BilingualEducation #LanguageLearning #OPOL #Immersion #MultilingualKids #LanguageAcquisition

The World’s Most Spoken Languages in 2024: A Comprehensive Guide What are some most spoken languages in the world? In today’s globalized world, the ability to communicate effectively in multiple languages has become increasingly important. As we strive to bridge cultural gaps and foster international cooperation, understanding the world’s most widely spoken languages is crucial. This article aims to provide an in-depth exploration of the 25 most spoken languages globally, offering insights into their geographic distribution, cultural significance, and practical applications. https://lnkd.in/g3dPBafi #foreignlanguage #learning #grow #japanese #german #spanish #french #korean #chinese

Bonjour, Bom dia, Ina Kwana, Sobaahul Khayr, OtutuOma, Zǎo shang hǎo, Guten Morgen, Buenos días, Ekaaro, Good morning, dear language lovers. Language Lovers, Gather Here: Let’s Have Fun While Learning Your New Language! This is the meme for this week: "When your brain tries to switch languages mid-sentence..." and you end up saying, 'Je veux una taza de café para mi desayuno, por favor!'😂 For instance, you mix French ("Je veux," "para mi desayuno"), Spanish ("una taza de café," "por favor"), and English ("for my breakfast") all in one sentence. Dear language learners , it's evident that blending languages can naturally occur in your language-learning journey. This often happens when you're mastering multiple languages and your brain mixes elements from each one. Embracing this blending can actually enhance your learning process, as it shows your brain is actively engaging with different linguistic structures and vocabulary. It’s a sign of progress and a step towards becoming fluent in more than one language, demonstrating your ability to navigate between languages fluidly. © Adeniyi Kawthar Kathylinx #kathylinxchannel #foreignlanguages #languagememes #LanguageJourney

🌍 Today is the European Day of Languages! 🎉 We celebrate the diversity and richness of languages which connect us across Europe and the world. This day reminds us of the vital role languages play in fostering understanding and breaking down cultural barriers. As a translator and language teacher, I experience daily how powerful multilingualism can be — whether it's about learning or exploring the world. 🌐 ❓ Did you know that this day has been celebrated since 2001 at the initiative of the Council of Europe? 🇪🇺 The European Year of Languages was organized in 2001 through the cooperation of the Council of Europe and the European Union. 🤝 The program, which took place in 45 participating countries and reached millions of people, celebrated the linguistic diversity of Europe 🌍 and promoted language learning. 📚 Following the success of that year, the Council of Europe proposed that September 26 be celebrated as the European Day of Languages 📅, with its main goals to promote language learning 🗣️, preserve Europe’s linguistic and cultural diversity 🌐, and encourage lifelong language learning. 🎓 🇪🇸 I didn’t stop at English and German either — I'm currently learning Spanish and French. 🇫🇷 Languages are not only tools but also incredible gifts that allow us to understand each other’s way of thinking and worldview. Let’s celebrate this special day together, and share with me what your favorite language or your most memorable language learning experience is! 🥰 📌 In the meantime, here’s the link to the Council of Europe's website, where you can find lots of interesting facts and activities about languages: https://lnkd.in/dCvV4R4X #EuropeanDayofLanguages #LanguageLearning #Translation #CulturalConnections #English #German #OnlineLanguageLearning

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞? You’ve probably heard me use this phrase a lot. Today we’ll talk about what it means so I’m not just using linguistic jargon. The language(s) you can already speak well are either : your native language, a language you have learned from school or acquired by living in the country where it’s spoken, having a bi-or multilingual parent and so on. However, your target language(TL), is the one you’re looking to learn. I love how the British Council simply defines it. “Target Language is the language learners are studying.” An example would be an English Speaker trying to learn Korean(Hangul)➡️ Korean is the target language. A French Speaker trying to learn English would have English as his or her target language. It’s that simple. Very soon, we’ll soon look at terms such as Bilingualism,and more language related content to help you learn foreign and local languages. If you’re yet to connect with me , you had better do so now, so you don’t miss out ! For more inquiries about learning strategy sessions or language classes, click 👉🏽 https://lnkd.in/dH2vrJDi Like and share ♻️ if you got value from this post. ___________________________________________________ Seeing my post for the first time? 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐓𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐢 𝐅𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐘𝐄 (𝐓𝐨𝐥𝐟𝐚𝐤). 𝐈 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐠𝐨𝐚𝐥𝐬 . 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞. #learningalanguageshouldneverbecomplex #multilingual #thoughtleader #learnalanguage #languageeducation #educationforall #Tuesday

🤩 Friday feedback! 😍We love ending the week off on a positive note at BiCortex Languages and BiCortex Translations 🧐Did you know? The Turkish language has no gendered nouns, making it unique among many languages! This feature allows for a more inclusive and straightforward way of communication. 🌍💬 😎What makes your native language unique? Please share in the comments below 🤳 #TurkishLanguage #LanguageDiversity #Inclusion #LanguageFacts #Education #BiCortexLanguages #Learnerfeedback #letslearn

Texas, with its booming economy and diverse cities like Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio, serves as a melting pot of languages and cultures, attracting people from all over the world. Did you know that Texas residents speak multiple languages? According to a recent study, Spanish is the most popular second language spoken by 37% of Texans, followed by French, Japanese, and Italian. Interestingly, Texans rank 12th in the nation for their willingness to learn a new language. Check out the full article here: [Link to Article] #TheStateofTexas #GlobalLanguages #CelebrateDiversity #Bilingualism #SeHablaEspañol #HispanicHeritageMonth #EnglishLanguageLearners #MonoligualismCanBeCured #HispanicServingInstitutions