I miss being a tourist…

Greetings Everyone,

What a time we are living in! First and foremost, I hope that all of you are safe and well.

The topic of this article revolves around one of my greatest passions: traveling.

I truly and deeply love to travel! Believe me, I have had the opportunity to visit many different countries, and I would love to explore even more. The world is vast and filled with incredible sights… but who can possibly see it all?

But what type of tourism do I engage in? And what about others? What purpose does tourism serve?

I recently read an article about tourism that classified three different types of tourism: artistic tourism (museums, buildings, art galleries, religious temples, skyscrapers, monuments, etc.); event tourism (conferences, meetings, festivals, concerts, etc.); and nightlife tourism (parties, parties, parties…hehehe). To these, I would like to add “self-discovery tourism” or journeys that help one find themselves. Although, I believe that we do not need to seek external experiences to fulfill our souls, as fulfillment is already within us (a bit of philosophy here!). You can feel the same wherever you go unless you work on your inner self. Thus, travel is not always necessary.

Personally, I engage in a mix of the first three types of tourism. I think being a tourist is akin to being a student in a classroom: you learn and observe the daily life of a place; you taste wonderful foods; you experience things that may be unfamiliar in your own country, like different music or shows; and you learn about new cultures and their traditions. Traveling enriches your soul and makes you feel free to feel, think, see, do, and even buy. What a discovery, right? Haha. I know many of you share my thoughts on traveling, but I write this because I miss buying a flight ticket and dreaming about my next adventure. When I finally have the chance to travel again, believe me, I will savor every moment. After this stressful period and the constant fear for ourselves and our families, we all deserve to go back to where we belong or simply hug each other tightly until we find it hard to breathe! How amazing would that feel?

It is true that we appreciate or miss something much more once it is no longer available, rather than taking it for granted. This situation, caused by Covid-19, has forced us to change our habits and lifestyles: something as simple as a hug or a handshake may have held little importance before because it was taken for granted… but now? Now that we can no longer do these things, how does it feel? Bad, right?

For those who love tourism, I affirm that tourism is beneficial for everyone, not just for consumerism, which benefits society, but for enriching our knowledge, minds, and souls. You can meet people, compare your story to theirs, learn tips to improve your lifestyle or diet, visit new places, and so on. There is an infinite number of benefits we can gain from traveling. The most important thing is to appreciate our own country or home after visiting a place we may not have liked.

So, my friends, I truly hope that this lockdown will end soon and we can return to our routines, traveling once again to discover more of this wonderful world! I know it will take some time, but never lose hope!

What are your thoughts on this?

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Mi scusi? O scusa?

Hello Everyone,

Today, I would like to discuss the polite forms we use when speaking to people. Specifically, I am referring to the formal and informal ways we converse.

In Italian, we have the “tu” form and the “lei” form. What do I mean by these?

When we talk with someone we know or are related to, we use the “tu” form. When we talk to someone we do not know, an older person, or an authority figure, we use the “lei” form, which is considered a form of respect:

Formal: Mi scusi, lei sa che ore sono? (Excuse me, do you know what time it is?)

Informal: Come stai? (How are you?)

Let’s see how this works in the other four languages I know.

In Spanish, they have the “tú” form and the “usted” form, and they use them exactly like the Italians:

Formal: Usted sabe dónde se encuentra la farmacia? (Do you know where the pharmacy is?)

Informal: Sabes tú qué hicieron ayer? (Do you know what they did yesterday?)

In Portuguese, they use the “tu” form and the “você” form in Portugal, while in Brazil they mainly use just the “você” form:

Informal: Te quero (I love you)

Formal: Quero você (I love you)

But what about English? They have only the “you” form now. English once had a “thee” form, which dates back to Early Modern English. “Thou” was used for the subject, “thee” for the object, and “thy/thine” for the possessive. Although they use “you” for everyone today, they add “Madam” or “Sir” to indicate politeness:

Formal: I love thee (very old form) Informal: I love you

Formal: Thou worked all day long (very old form) Informal: You worked all day long

Formal: Thine dog is smart (very old form) Informal: Your dog is smart

Today: How are you, Sir?/ How are you, my friend? (Notice the difference?)

Finally, we have Norwegian, which now uses just the “du” form. Seventy years ago, they had the “De” form. Norwegians used “Herr” (Mr.) and “Frøken/Fru” (Miss/Mrs.), but they no longer do so, except perhaps with the Royal family. Today, they use the first name and last name at the first meeting and then just the first name in subsequent interactions:

Formal: De er vakker fru Hanne (old form) Informal: Du er vakker Hanne (today)

It is important to know these distinctions, especially when working with Norwegian-Italian interpretation or speaking in Italian, Spanish, or Portuguese. It can be challenging to remember to distinguish between both forms, as Norwegian always uses “du“, but Italian does not. When working for an Italian client conversing with a Norwegian professional, I have to use the “lei” form for the Italian customer. This means being proficient in my job and using the formal way with the Italian customer, while the “du” form is acceptable with the Norwegian person.

Curious, isn’t it?

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Studying again!

Hello Everyone,

I would like to share my experience at the Norwegian university OsloMet (Oslo Metropolitan University):

This year, I embarked on a one-year program in Interpretation from Norwegian to Italian and vice versa. To elevate and improve my Norwegian proficiency, I believed that pursuing this course would be the most effective approach, as it involves a higher level of language study. Additionally, I recognized the need to advance beyond my current intermediate level in everyday Norwegian.

The program is part-time, allowing me to balance it with my job. We meet at the university once a month for weekend classes and group exercises. We also have weekly chats and a year to develop into proficient interpreters at category 3, which is the intermediate level. This qualification will enable us to work freelance for clients in specific sectors, such as the healthcare and legal systems.

Before starting the program, we were required to take an exam to assess our proficiency in both languages and our interpretation skills. I passed the exam with a category 5 rating, and now I am striving for category 3!

Throughout the course, I have encountered numerous specific words and techniques for becoming a good interpreter. My main concern is whether I will remember everything or most of it. I am determined to do my best, despite the challenge of studying a course in my fifth language.

Sometimes I feel exhausted because Norwegian is neither Spanish nor English, which I am more proficient in. However, I am committed to doing my best because I enjoy studying and learning new words. It is stimulating and trains my brain to work more efficiently and smartly.

I need to find strategies to memorize everything and use the techniques during interpretation exercises to enhance my skills. Interestingly, our interpretation exercises are recorded, allowing us to review and analyze our performance. This helps us identify areas for improvement and ensure we are professional in our work. In my first video, I noticed some mistakes, but it was a valuable learning experience that I can build on.

One aspect I did not particularly enjoy was the competitive nature of one of our chat classes. The teacher asked questions, and everyone typed answers as if it were a race to get the “correct answer” first. This stressed me out initially because it should have been a discussion, not a competition. However, subsequent chats were better, likely because they were managed by another teacher.

An interesting chat class is with our Italian tutor. We are just four people, and we discuss terminology lists in different contexts. We share our experiences and knowledge, making it a pleasant learning experience. My colleagues are wonderful people, and it is always fantastic to meet new people with diverse backgrounds. For instance, one of my colleagues is a Norwegian who lived in Florence for three years and studied languages and literature. He speaks excellent Italian with a charming Tuscan accent. Another colleague is an Italian interpreter who has been in the profession for ten years. She provides valuable insights into professional conduct and appropriate terminology. Lastly, we have an Italian policeman who needs to interpret Italian in his job, making this course beneficial for his professional role.

I feel fortunate and enthusiastic about this profession because I love learning from people with different backgrounds and experiences as well as from books. My curiosity drives me to dig deeper and learn more.

Let’s embark on this journey together!

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How do we learn a new language?

Hello Everyone,

In today’s globalized world, knowing a second language is essential, if not necessary. English, considered the most international and widely spoken language, tops the list. I also believe that Chinese and Spanish will soon join this category.

So, let’s start studying them too, shall we?

But how do we learn a new language effectively? Do you know any interesting tricks or tips to achieve proficiency in a short period?

Here’s what I did and continue to do to learn and improve the languages I speak:

I began with English. I studied it at school, but I made significant progress by translating English songs, especially those of my favorite singers. I watched MTV, CNN, and Fox News channels. Thanks to the exchange programs with the United States that my school participated in, I started corresponding with American students through letters. We also hosted some Australians, and I still maintain a friendship with one of them after 17 years.

I then studied Spanish and Portuguese at university. Spanish telenovelas and Portuguese series were immensely helpful. Moving to Spain was, of course, the best way to enhance my Spanish until I acquired the local accent of the city I lived in. Working as a receptionist there allowed me to practice and improve both languages daily through interactions with customers.

Finally, I moved to Norway, where I had to learn Norwegian to integrate better into society. Here, I met two wonderful Brazilian friends who help me practice and improve my Portuguese. Currently, I work as a hotel receptionist, which gives me the opportunity to speak all these languages daily. It’s both challenging and enjoyable!

So, what tips or tricks can I recommend to you for learning a language quickly and effectively?

Study Grammar: Read a grammar book, do exercises, and focus on the rules.

Watch Foreign Channels: Engage with content on international news channels, movies, and TV shows.

Read: Dive into articles, books, and any written content in the target language.

Listen to Music: Songs can help with listening skills and pronunciation.

Even with a busy life, dedicating just half an hour per day can make a significant difference. For speaking practice, look for international exchange programs in your city. These programs often involve language exchange over coffee, where you can practice speaking with a native speaker of your target language. Making international friends can also be incredibly helpful.

Use the new words you learn as often as possible to avoid forgetting them. Importantly, take the risk to speak, even if you make mistakes. This trial and error process is essential because the person you are conversing with will likely correct you, helping you remember and learn.

The most effective tip is to travel to the country where the language is spoken. Immersing yourself in the language 24/7 accelerates learning. If possible, move there for a few months. This method is both challenging and fun!

Good luck!

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Our everyday chats…

Hello Dear Readers,

I would like to start today’s article with a simple question: Is it just me who thinks that our smartphones rule our daily lives? When you think about it carefully, we don’t even need to use a computer anymore. With smartphones and their applications, as well as the most popular social media platforms, we can accomplish so much instantly. We can chat with friends all over the world, and because we live in a time where we want to do many things simultaneously and quickly, we often shorten words to save time.

I’d like to share some examples in the five languages I know to illustrate how amusing, yet at times stressful and sad, it can be for language enthusiasts to see grammar being neglected. But well! Win some, lose some…

For example, the proper word for “message” is abbreviated as “msg.” So, “Can I send u a msg?” should be “Can I send you a message?”

Italian:

Text: Ciao! Cm stai? T posso kiam dopo? C ved fra 2 gg. Tvttb.

Full Sentence: Ciao! Come stai? Ti posso chiamare dopo? Ci vediamo fra due giorni. Ti voglio tanto tanto bene.

(Hi! How are you? Can I call you later? See you in two days. I love you so so much.)

Text: Xo Xké fai cs?

Full Sentence: Però perché fai così?

(But why do you act like this?)

Spanish:

Text: Wenas! bno ntp! ns vms dsps!

Full Sentence: Buenas tardes! Bueno no te preocupes! Nos vemos después!

(Good afternoon! Well, don’t worry! See you later!)

Text: Tkm, pr q sepas! xoxo

Full Sentence: Te quiero mucho, para que sepas! Besos y abrazos.

(I love you so much, just to let you know! Hugs and kisses)

English:

Text: Hi! How r u? TGIF!!! LOL

Full Sentence: Hi! How are you? Thank God it’s Friday!!! Laughing out loud

Text: TYVM 4 ur help! ILU!

Full Sentence: Thank you very much for your help! I love you!

Portuguese:

Text: Pdc, acho q vc está certo!

Full Sentence: Pode crer, acho que você está certo!

(You can believe it, I think you are right!)

Text: Te digo a vdd: tenho sdds d vc!!!

Full Sentence: Te digo a verdade: tenho saudades de você!!!

(I tell you the truth: I miss you!!!)

Norwegian:

Text: Ifht hva du sier, r d ikke mulig å gjøre d pga stedet.

Full Sentence: i forhold til hva du sier, er det ikke mulig å gjøre det på grunn av stedet.

(According to what you say, it is not possible to do that because of the place.)

Text: R de 3 elns? Også hvor r de?

Full Sentence: Er de tre eller noe sånt? Også hvor er de?

(Are they three or something like that? And also, where are they?)

As you can see, with this method, we create new vocabulary every day. However, it may not be quite understandable for everyone. Sometimes, I think it is better to value a single moment and take a minute to write a complete message.

Isn’t it better to read “I LOVE YOU” instead of “I LUV U”? Think about it!

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