What the world will speak in 2115

Posted by 40dots / Other

In 1880 a Bavarian priest created a language that he hoped the whole world could use. He mixed words from French, German and English and gave his creation the name Volapük, which didn’t do it any favors. Worse, Volapük was hard to use, sprinkled with odd sounds and case endings like Latin.

It made a splash for a few years but was soon pushed aside by another invented language, Esperanto, which had a lyrical name and was much easier to master. A game learner could pick up its rules of usage in an afternoon.

2015 wishes

Posted by 40dots / Other

Xmas

19
Nov

TED-ed: What makes a word “real”?

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slang words sln

17
Nov

5 tips for editing your own work

Posted by 40dots / Other

1. Let your writing rest for a few hours or days

The more distance you put between yourself and your writing, the easier it is to make improvements and find mistakes. When possible, let important writing sit for a few days. When you pick up the material again, it’s almost like proofing someone else’s work.

If you don’t have the luxury of letting your work sit for days, then a few hours will have to do. Find another activity that will help you distance yourself from the writing. You might want to take a jog, wash the dishes, take your dog to the park, or anything else that clears your mind. Ideally, you can approach the work from a fresh perspective.

The art of translation

Posted by 40dots / Other

David Bellos has translated more than 20 books. He is also a director of a program at Princeton University that awards a certificate in translation. He is also the author of seven of his own books including “Is That a Fish in Your Ear?” which The Economist cited as a 2011 Book of the Year, saying in a review, “In the guise of a book about translation this is a richly original cultural history.”

In an interview, Bellos, 69 years old, discussed the art of translation.

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