Origins of Common Bird Names

Professional Language Translation

Onomatopoeic naming for long has been used to give names to birds. In other words, many birds have received their names on the basis of their imitation of cries. Cuckoo, Owl, and cockatiel are some of the prominent birds that got their name through onomatopoeia. However, there are some bird names where the onomatopoeic naming was not applied. These bird names have a fascinating linguistic history that we are going to explore in this blog.

Albatross

Everyone must be remembering the phrase “albatross around neck” and that is from where the majority of us got to know about albatross. It first found mention in the poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge. The poem has been liked by many, and the phrase has been in use ever since. You might be from that group as well, but did you ever wonder how the bird got its name “albatross?”
The albatross was confused with a frigate bird, alcatras, for both looked similar in appearance. It is believed that first syllable “folk etymological” was modified to classical Latin “albus” meaning white by folk-etymological association. The alteration was because of the evident feather color of the albatross.

Gull

Gulls are not too popular among the masses basically for their share of controversies. Now, controversies are not what we are going to discuss here about gulls. Instead, there’s something more interesting about gulls than their controversies – it is their name.
The seabirds name is believed to be Celtic origin word that’s related to Breton gouelan, French goéland, Irish faoileán, and also Welsh gŵylan, all meaning ‘gull.’

Magpie

Magpie is believed to be one of the most intelligent animals in the world. Though, earlier known as the maggoty-pie or maggot-the-pie, magpie is the short name of the bird that is widely used today.
The word “maggot” or “mag” is an ancient pet-form of the female first name Margery and Margaret. “Pie” is derived from Latin word pica that means ‘magpie’ in itself. The word is also associated with “picus,” a Latin name for the green woodpecker.

Penguin

While etymologists are still debating the origin of the word, there is a strong belief that it is derived from a Welsh phrase “pen gwyn,” which means ‘white head.’ It is presumed that the first discoverers – the British sailors – misidentified the penguins with Great Auks and gave their name to the then unacquainted birds. Probably, the extinct bird Great Auk was the first one to get the name derived from the Welsh phrase as it looked similar to the penguin.

Turkey

Turkey is another birth that got its name because people confused it for another bird. In fact, many believe that the American turkey originates from Turkey – the country. However, the reality is that the bird name is from Mexico. This confusion transpired because Turkey was first mistaken with a native African bird – the Guinea-fowl – which was traded into England via Turkey in the 16th century.

Wrapping Up

These common birds did not receive onomatopoeic naming. Languages and words are absorbing if one studies them. Languages that we all speak change with demographics and so does the nomenclature. In case you happen to travel to foreign cities for a vacation or a business trip, don’t let the language become the barrier; instead, hire a Professional language translator for a smooth trip. Give a call at 888-670-3369 to know more about the language translation service.

Exploring the Irish English Language

Irish English Language

There are about 50 English speaking countries, and the language is the third most common primary language in the world. Owing to its widespread use, the English language sees a variety of new words and phrases that comprehend the culture of the country. On the same lines is the Irish English. The language spoken in Ireland is very vibrant and colorful. Here are some wonderfully colorful Irish English words that will help you understand how the language changes with demographic.

Arrah

We are often short of words when we are excited or experience strong emotion for something. Irish people have a defined word for such a feeling, and it is “Arrah.”

Bockety

Feeling unsteady or wobbly is called “Bockety” in Ireland. So, when in Ireland and you feel unsteady about something, Bockety is the word you need to utter.

Colleen

Irishmen have their own noun to refer a girl or a young woman, “Colleen.”

Fáilte

Irish people use fáilte in place of welcome to either welcome guests at home or to show their gratitude to someone who helped them.

Gobdaw

In good humor, we all sometimes refer our friends as foolish. But, there are some foolish or pretentious people, and in Irish English, such people are described with a noun “Gobdaw.”

Hooley

Who doesn’t likes to go to a wild or noisy party? In Ireland, such parties are referred with a noun “Hooley.”

Louser

No one likes a mean, unpleasant, or contemptible person, but we all have to face such people now and then. In Ireland, people have a different term for such a person (a noun), “Louser.”

Pishogue

We all are superstitious in a certain way, and our superstitious beliefs are referred with a noun “Pishogue” in Ireland.

Sleeveen

We all encounter an untrustworthy or cunning person. Irish people mention such a person with the noun “Sleeveen.”

Yoke

There’s always something that we cannot recall, or we don’t know about, or we don’t wish to specify. So while explaining such a thing to someone, Irish citizen use a term “Yoke.” It is a noun which helps them cover-up for something they forgot or don’t want to discuss.

Final Words

Knowing new words is interesting; however, remembering them is a challenge. When traveling overseas for vacation or business trips, or requiring translation of documents it is imperative to be precise with the vocabulary. A translator or translation service is the ideal option in such a scenario. You can call at 888-670-3369 to know more about such service.

How to Greet In Different Languages

Languages are fun to learn, speak, read, and listen. It is unbelievable that a simple term like ‘hello’ can be spoken differently in different languages. If you want to know some of the best of these then you are at the right place. Read this blog and get to know greeting in different languages.

A Start off

Despite different constructions of the languages and expressions they tend to communicate similar things, but in many different ways. Of course, it takes much practice to get to the expert level but learning to say ‘Hello’ is a good start. English has copied many of the following foreign expressions of welcoming, so you would probably want to know some of the ways to greet in other languages.

In Albanian

Hello in Albanian is “Tungjatjeta” pronounced in a way as “toon-jah-TYEH-tah,” which means “have a long life.” A shorter and a more informal way to say hello is “Tung” pronounced as “toong”. Albanian is spoken primarily in Albania and Kosovo, though it is also spoken in other areas of the Balkans.

In Bulgarian

Saying ‘Hello’ in Bulgarian is “zdravei”. When talking to one person, it becomes ‘Zdrasti’ and ‘zdraveite’ is spoken when greeting many people. Zdrasti is a more informal way to say hello.

In Danish

Hello in Danish is spoken as ‘hallo’, or informally “hej” to the pronoun “hi”. This language is a Scandinavian language spoken in Denmark and some parts of Greenland.

In French

This language offers to greet in a way as “Bonjour” and this is understood in Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria and the sub-Saharan African countries of DR Congo, Cameroon, Guinea, Gabon and Mauritius apart from France, Belgium and Switzerland.

In Spanish

“Hola” is the word spoken to greet people. It is spoken outside Spain and sometimes called as the primary language of all Central and South American countries apart from Brazil. This language is also spoken as the second most common language in the USA.

In German

Hello in German is “Guten tag” which is pronounced as “gootan taag”. Moreover, informal ways to say hello is “hallo” and “tag” mainly marked as “tahg”.

In Italian

Saying hello in Italian is “buon giorno” simply pronounced ‘bwohn geeornoh’. Moreover, when the most informal way to say hello is “ciao”, primarily pronounced as ‘chow’.

In Latin

Greeting hello in Latin is “salve” as pronounced like ‘sal-way’ when talking to a single person. Salvete is the word pronounced as ‘sal-way-tay’ is used when greeting to more than one person.

In Romanian

So, you want to welcome in Romanian? Then say “salut”, which is pronounced as ‘sah-LOOT. You may also use
Buna dimineata—a formal morning wish
Buna ziua—an official daytime wish
Buna seara—a formal evening wish

Wrap Up!

So, now you can start a good conversation in at least 11 countries. Learning a new language is one of the most difficult task. Hence, if you are planning to visit a new country better avail language translation service. Call 888-670-3369 to learn more about such service and ease your trip.

Some Untranslatable Words From Around the World

English, one of the most spoken languages in the world is no doubt a beautiful language – but sometimes other languages take the pie.

Certified Translation

Let’s take a look at few instances where foreign languages have made English fall speechless with their words.

Duende

This Spanish word was originally used to describe a mythical, sprite like body that holds humans and generates the feeling of wonder. However, today the meaning has transitioned to a mysterious power that a work of art possesses which intensely moves a person. There’s even a nightclub in the town of La Linea de la Concepcion with this name.

Litost

This Czech word signifies the state of pain and bane caused because of sight of personal misery. The term is believed to help people understand the human soul. The author of The Unbearable Lightness of Being –Milan Kundera – remarked that his search for an equivalent of the word in other languages went in vain.

Saudade

This Portuguese word is one of the most beautiful of all words that are not translatable. Through it does not matter if the word is translatable or not for it refers to the feeling of desire for something or someone that is loved and is lost.

Toska

The Russian word is best described as a feeling of a large spiritual suffering, often devoid of any particular cause, which happens to be its deepest and most painful meaning. At less gloomy levels, the word refers to the dull pain of the soul, a desire with nothing to look for, an imprecise impatience, and yearning. Moreover, it may be used to highlight the desire for something and nostalgia. It even refers to boredom at lowest levels.

Wabi-Sabi

The Japanese word highlights the way of living with a focus on discovering beauty within the inadequacies of life and accepting the natural cycle of development and dwindling.

Wrapping Up

Don’t let this post intimidate you. These are just a handful of words that are difficult to translate, and there’s more to languages than these words. You may find yourself in a spot of bother if you travel overseas without knowing the language. Thus, it is advisable to contact a good translation service provider while traveling for a smooth trip. Call 888-670-3369 to find out more about language translation service.

Worth of Words in a Language

Language

Worth of Words

Choosing the right word in any situation cannot be strategized. The difference between the almost-right word and the right word is a significant matter to focus upon. It is just like the difference between the lightning-bug and the lightning. Like stones, they enable people to take it as either to build something or to break it. The words hold a secret strength, as it would seem.

Words used in a positive way to create the best atmosphere for what is right and beneficial. Encouraging words have the power to inspire and elevate. Words can even bring different people together and help them build bridges instead of walls between them. They recognize the power of language to enrich the relationship between people of either different region or country. Moreover, with all of such creation words gain recognition of the glorious possibilities when lovingly and thoughtfully been used.

Oh, wondrous power of words, by simple faith licensed to take the meaning that we love! –William Wordsworth.

This is a famous quote from world’s famous poet ‘Sir William Wordsworth’. The very name of this most properly named poet represents his concern for language: The worth of words—Wordsworth! Wordsworth wrote poems as the local working people around him would have spoken.

The Psychology of Language

To make your language-learning experience as efficient and effective, we tend to select carefully the words as we learn in each of our language programs. The total number of words varies from one language to the other because each language has the words differently spelled to build a proper structure and express its meaning. So how do we go about it?

When we build a particular language learning process, here’s what we keep in mind when we choose which words to learn:

– The usefulness of words as a building block to acquire language structures so that we can grab the language.
– It is relevant to typical situations happening every day.
– Natural using the words in everyday speech

This means that we choose the right words and the right number of words to help people to develop the language skills, especially when it comes to communication skills. In The English language, we use over 2500 unique words to learn the language, after learning process developing language skills, to develop command over the language.

Remember Words When Learning a Language

The words would make sense as it has most powerful effect—positively and negatively. In spite of coming up with technological ways to “connect” with people, the success of communication—in writing and speaking, sets the best on the speaker’s ability to convey exactly what he means, believes, and feels, with clarity and precision in an efficient way.

How to Remember Words?

“How can I remember words?” “How can I remember new vocabulary and make it stick in my memory?” These are some questions that nearly every language learner asks at one time or another. Given that learning, remembering and using new words is a crucial part of any language acquisition. To introduce a new word each day then celebrate the words! Try listing new words on the same day of listening. Make lists of fascinating words from books read, and post it anywhere you regularly visit and watch.

To Conclude!

Words represent our essence, feel, thought. So, consider words while spelling, speaking, writing and all other uses.

What Do You Know About Words Associated with Brazilian Carnival?

Besides football there is one more thing that makes Brazil a well-known country, Brazilian Carnival. The annual affair is held in Rio de Janerio and is considered the biggest carnival in the world with nearly two million people singing and dancing on the streets every day.This year the carnival was held from 5th February to 10th February. For five days it was all about seductive rhythms and scantily clad dancers, with viewers from across the globe flocking the beautiful Brazilian city. To celebrate the occasion, we have leaped into the interesting vocabulary of the Brazilian carnival to bring-forth a list of words that will help you understand one of the most famous spring events in the world.

word

This year the carnival was held from 5th February to 10th February. For five days it was all about seductive rhythms and scantily clad dancers, with viewers from across the globe flocking the beautiful Brazilian city. To celebrate the occasion, we have leaped into the interesting vocabulary of the Brazilian carnival to bring-forth a list of words that will help you understand one of the most famous spring events in the world

Carnival

Before anything else, it is important to understand the word carnival itself. The noun was derived from Italian words carnevale, carnovale. It is called as carnival in Portuguese. The Italian and Portuguese words are related to Medieval Latin that includes words such as carnelevārium, carnilevāria, and carnilevāmen.

Rio de Janeiro

The capital of the Brazilian carnival, it was originally called São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro, named after a 3rd-century saint Sebastian the King of Portugal from 1557 to 1578. Further, when the Portuguese sailed into the city in 1501 through the bay and mistook it for the mouth of a river, they named the bay as ‘River of January.’ This name in-turn applied to the whole city, and that is how Rio de Janeiro received its name from the Portuguese. Today, the city is often referred as just ‘Rio’.

Samba

Samba is a Portuguese term of African origin. It is both a dance for as well as a type of music, typically associated with South American carnival traditions. Also, samba is probably the first word that comes to mind when people talk about Brazilian carnival. However, the derivation of the word is uncertain.

Abadá

Abadá is a word of African origin that came to Brazil through African Muslims. It is referred as colorful tops worn by the blocos. Besides this, it is also known as a white tunic that African Muslims wear when offering prayers and also as a loose-fitted white trousers worn by players while performing capoeira.

Frevo

In the northeast part of the country, carnival tradition is different from that in Rio. Frevo is a trendy form of music and dance that has its origin in the Recife area and is connected with the carnaval de rua. The word finds it derivation from a variant of the Portuguese ferver, which means ‘to boil’.

Folião

Any individual taking part in carnival is a folião. The word when translated to English is known as a reveler. It thus denotes someone enjoying in a lively and noisy way. And that is what the Brazilian carnival is all about – enjoyment.

Wrapping Up

So, if you are planning to head to Brazil to be a part of the extravaganza next time around, make sure you avail language translation service because conversing with locals can prove to be a difficult task. Give a call at 888-670-3369 to know more about the service.

 

Are The Speakers Of English Changing The Language?

In countries like  India, Hong Kong, and the Philippines, English is primarily used as a second or third language alongside local languages. So, borrowing a language from other countries remains the biggest source of creating new words. When people think of varieties in the English language, they tend to think different and unusual words that conjure visions of exotic English language.However, the innovation in the world of English is far from being limited to speaking and written language. The speakers of English language are somehow changing the language as compared to the written format.There are some ways depicted in which speakers of emerging varieties of English all over the world are shaping the vocabulary of the language

Changing of Proper Noun to a Common Noun

Suzie Wong is a proper noun. This name is dedicated to the leading character in the novel in the Chinese language. Hence, according to the current scenario, the name has become a slang word for Chinese women who consort with visiting servicemen. This is the first instance where the speaking English is changing day by day.

Changing the Meanings of Words

If we take the word ‘gimmick’ to our instance, it is usually referred as a clever trick or publicity stunt, but in the Philippines, it reflects a fun night out with friends.The above example showed the creativity for word innovation by English speakers. Such new expressions are increasingly making their way into laymen languages that are spoken. One important means of collecting information on these types of vocabulary is by listening to it from one person to another who uses it.

Continuing To Use Words That Were Used In Laymen Way

This expression of language began in the United States where it was initially used. For example, referring ‘rooms in a public building or workplace furnished with amenities’ are altered with ‘facilities for resting, personal hygiene, and storage of personal items.’ The first sentence is now rarely heard in America, but it is still used in the Philippines, India, and several other countries. Another instance is where the common term for a public toilet was used as the most is now it is altered and equivalent to laymen words like ‘restroom and loo’.

Explaining A Word or Expression from A Local Language

Today, many words of English are being translated into a local language, especially in Philippines and India. Words like ‘jungle’, ‘gherao’, and ‘lathi’ are local words of Hindi language that have been updated in Oxford dictionary in today’s time. This depicts that words—forest, surroundings and stick are expressed in the local language to understand in a better way.

Why Languages Change?

Language changes for numerous reasons. Firstly, it changes because speakers change. New technologies, new products, and new experiences require innovating new words. Another reason for the change is that no two people have exact experience with the same language, which impacts the language somehow.   Hence, the language is a vast area which has no bounds and limits while speaking and written versions.

Hence, the language is a vast area which has no bounds and limits while speaking and written versions.

Popular English Words Invented By Authors

There have been many influential people that have changed the way we live. Be it the great scientist Albert Einstein or the famous chemist Alfred Nobel, all these people with great minds have occasionally come up with something that has made our everyday life easier.

Inventors’ Day is celebrated on 11th February in the US to honor such great minds. Besides celebrating the contribution of these great scientists or mathematicians, we must also focus on celebrating the contribution of those inventors who have enriched our vocabulary with their language. In this post, we are going to take a look at some popular English words and their inventors–Authors.

Blatant

The word Blatant first found mention in Edmund Spenser’s epic poem The Faerie Queene (1596). The poet talks about a ‘blatant beast’ in the poem; thus, he becomes the apparent inventor of the word. As per Oxford English Dictionary (OED), Spenser used it as a symbol of defamation. It was a nickname of the thousand-tongued monster created of Cerberus and Chimaera.

Cyberspace

OED puts cyberspace as ‘the space of virtual reality.’ In other words, it is a hypothetical environment where electronic communication takes place. William Gibson in 1981 while filming a short science fiction story ‘Burning Chrome’ referred to the compound noun, which was later published in Omni magazine in 1982. Today it is used to denote futuristic concepts.

Robot

A noun, robot symbolizes a machine that resembles a human and can automatically replicate certain human functions. Derived from a Czech word “robota” meaning ‘forced labor,’ it was coined by Czech author Karel Čapek when he used it in his science fiction play called R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots). The word made it to English dictionary in the early 1920s.

Sensuous

Invented by John Milton, the adjective signifies ‘of the senses’ derived from ‘affecting the senses,’ which avoids its association with the current word sensual. First used in 1641, sensuous appeared in Johnson’s dictionary.

Superman

The world associates the word with a Superhero character made famous through comics, animated TV series, and movies. However, much before all these things, an Irish writer George Bernard Shaw translated the German word “Übermensch” and called it Superman. In 1883, the well-known German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche used the word in a tone poem “Also sprach Zarathustra” to denote the concept of ‘an ideal superior man of the future who transcends conventional Christian morality to create and impose his own values.’

Other English versions of Übermensch include Overman and beyond man. Currently, the word is used to signify an almost invincible superhero that has the power to fly.

Final Words

These impressive words leave us wondering, what if these famous authors did not invent these words? Would we still have a superhero named “Superman”? Moreover, translating words of different languages is not an easy task; you need experts to help you out. Thus, get in touch with language translators during your overseas trips 888-670-3369.

Using Slang and Plain Languages to Reach People

Everyday Languages in Translation

Often the times when we meet some or the other client who is searching for a trusted translation firm, the translation service companies impart them about the importance of everyday language as a part of translation services. Yes! Everyday words do carry influence despite not being so hyped in the list of primary languages.

So what? There are some people (read: clients) who require the availability of understandable and slang language translators. Whereas many people just need an idea about what is everyday language?

In every country, there are certain terms and a certain way of conversing. So getting through it, plain language relates to translation services as a simplified language that is easy to understand and used by people of all education levels and regional talks in the country. The plain language is important because it develops and broadens the clients’ access to their businesses, potential audiences and customers and enables them to communicate and engage in a more appropriate manner.

Some Special Features

According to some experts, everyday language is necessary because: 

  1. It can be spoken as openly and directly as possible to the targeted group audience.
  2. It goes ahead towards what people want to know and what they need to learn.
  3. If the translation is documented, then it presents information in a simple and logical manner.
  4. It helps the reader move through the content efficiently when documentation is done in translation companies.
  5. It creates trust with the enterprise or agency providing plain language translation services.

Focus Over the Primary Motive

Also, if the focus is towards improving communication, everyday language provides quality data to understand better for the non-English speaking population. The businesses or the client who greatly benefit from everyday language includes Governmental body and the private sector, as they commonly need the documents which indeed appeals to a large possibility of reading and comprehension skills.

Using Slang Language

At times, translation services are required within the similar language. Yes! That is true; translation service is not only necessary in different languages, but is expected in the same language as well. The reason being that some people belong to different countries might speak the same language in a different way!

For instance— In South Asia, it is duly acceptable to use the word “gift” as a verb whereas people often say they “gifted” something to someone.  This does not consider as a regular usage in the United States but its standard in India. So even if the language remains the same, its usage might needs a translation of course!

Importance of Translation

This is precisely the pinpoint about telling that translation is not a word-translation job: there is much above all! Various word and sentences need to be understood. Also, there are coherent messages for the entire translation documents as a — catalogue, proposal, legal document, software application, web page and business as well.

Wrapping Up

So, here feel the importance of translation service in a different way! If you want to know more about language translation service then give a call at 888-670-3369.

Everyday Languages in Translation

How Can You Learn Languages Through Movies?

The question occurs now whether or not you can learn a language by watching movies? This has been hotly debated by many people and teachers over the years. This blog will make some instances clear about it. Just have a thorough read. 

The Passing Words That Occur

Well, there have been many different argues that came to our ears in childhood days that foreign language movies are a vital part of any language learners experience. The more you see movies in different languages, the more you can make for your target language better. So, popping in a foreign film in French, English, Spanish, and other languages is a great way to increase your exposure to the language.

Learning from Films Is Motivating Yet Pleasant

Motivation is one important reason for defining successful second-language learning process. Movies and TV shows are an integral part of our lives, so it makes perfect sense to bring them into the language classroom. The film, as a motivator, also makes the language learning process more entertaining and enjoyable. A movie can give you the best stage to learn a language, which is something imperative: simply as passion, enthusiasm, and excitement for your new language. Also, it provides an introduction to some fascinating Spanish, French, and English words to learn.

Movies Provide Authentic Way of Language Use

Another benefit of watching movies with a foreign language is that it offers a source of original words framed in meaningful and various languages. Movies portray the examples of English words used in ‘real’ situations outside the classroom to the students, particularly the language of real-life conversation. Apart, it exposes students to natural expressions and the natural flow of speech. Grasping the way of pronunciation with meaningful words, one can easily get a hold of a language.

Speaking Words with Flexibility

Watching different linguistic movies brings variety in speaking the words with proper phonetics and flexibility to the language classroom. This perhaps extends the range of teaching techniques and helps the students to develop their communication skills.

For instance, a film sequence can be used to practice to listen and read directly for speaking and writing. Movies also act as a springboard for dialogue delivery with the proper flow which slowly gets the track of language speaking. It is also possible to bring variety further to the language learning classroom by screening—

  • Feature-length films
  • Short sequences of films
  • Short films
  • Adverts

Foreign Language Movies for Vocabulary

Getting comfortable with every grammatical construction with movies is easy. Yes, you need to reach a point where you have to be relatively fluent, and all you need to do is expand your vocabulary learning process. Watching movies for this level is a genuinely enjoyable way to maintain and expand on your second language. Spending hours watching a French film tend to set the brain in ‘French mode’ and leaves the viewer thinking in French even couple of hours after. This will make it an excellent way to prepare for a speaking test or a meeting with a language exchange partner!

In the End

So, on such level, you can go native and take the plunge with a foreign language movie without subtitles!