Could crop-circles be the work of a cereal killer?
30 dezembro, 2006
Babelling on - Brussels v the English language
How more official languages could eventually mean less diversity
In their loftier moments Brussels politicians say that languages are an expression of the European Union's unity in diversity. What they seldom admit is that languages are a logistical and expensive headache, as well as a cause of nationalistic squabbles. All these could increase when the tally of official languages in the EU rises from 20 to 23 on January 1st 2007, with the addition of Romanian, Bulgarian and Irish.
There is impeccable democratic logic for the EU to do business in the language of its citizens: hence the addition of Bulgarian and Romanian when these countries join next month. It is less obvious why Irish is being added to the list. Although it is an official language of Ireland, it is a minority one that the Irish government declined to use when it joined in 1973. The government concedes that less than half the population can speak it and a mere 5% actually use it. But Charlie McCreevy, Ireland's European commissioner, insists it is central to Irish cultural identity.
Asserting cultural identity may be more important in a growing club. Ireland's decision has raised the stakes for other countries. Last year Spain requested semi-official status for Catalan, Galician and Basque. The Spanish government will ...+
Reference: From The Economist print edition
Suggestion: Kevin Mundy
In their loftier moments Brussels politicians say that languages are an expression of the European Union's unity in diversity. What they seldom admit is that languages are a logistical and expensive headache, as well as a cause of nationalistic squabbles. All these could increase when the tally of official languages in the EU rises from 20 to 23 on January 1st 2007, with the addition of Romanian, Bulgarian and Irish.
There is impeccable democratic logic for the EU to do business in the language of its citizens: hence the addition of Bulgarian and Romanian when these countries join next month. It is less obvious why Irish is being added to the list. Although it is an official language of Ireland, it is a minority one that the Irish government declined to use when it joined in 1973. The government concedes that less than half the population can speak it and a mere 5% actually use it. But Charlie McCreevy, Ireland's European commissioner, insists it is central to Irish cultural identity.
Asserting cultural identity may be more important in a growing club. Ireland's decision has raised the stakes for other countries. Last year Spain requested semi-official status for Catalan, Galician and Basque. The Spanish government will ...+
Reference: From The Economist print edition
Suggestion: Kevin Mundy
They all speak English
As bilingualism becomes the norm worldwide, the future of English has moved. Prepare yourself for decaffeinated “Globish”The image of the Briton abroad, speaking English slowly and loudly in the expectation that eventually the natives will get the idea, is a stereotype with a good deal of truth behind it. According to a survey by the European Commission last year, just 30% of Britons can converse in a language other than their own (only Hungarians did worse). Bad as these figures are, they are flattered by the one in ten residents of Britain who speak a language other than English at home.
The next generation is unlikely to do even this well. Fewer young people are studying languages in school, a trend that has accelerated since 2004, when the government allowed English schools to make foreign languages optional for students aged 14 and over (see chart). Even those who are keen on languages often ...+
Reference: From The Economist print edition
Suggestion: Kevin Mundy
14 dezembro, 2006
Millions spent on translation
Multiculturalismo no Reino Unido; intérpretes vs. contribuintes? Vale a pena assistir à matéria da BBC pelo link abaixo. A biodiversidade desvairada não é mais exclusiva da Amazônia!
http://tinyurl.com/ykax7z
Contribuição: Kevin
http://tinyurl.com/ykax7z
Contribuição: Kevin
O melhor locutor FM do mundo!
Eis o melhor locutor FM do mundo, talento nato descoberto em Santa Bárbara da Encruzilhada, interior de Minas. Dizem que será contratado pela Rádio Jovem Pan graças ao seu inglês irrepreensível e à sua dicção clara e empolgante! Ouça o rapaz apresentando o nome das músicas, enquanto lê aqui:
Stillness of Heart - Lenny Kravitz
Sweet Child o'mine - Sheryl Crow
Carla - LS Jack
O Segundo Sol - Cássia Eller
Avril Lavigne - Knockin' On Heaven's Door
JQuest - Só Hoje
Diana Krall - I've Got You Under My Skin
Ivete Sangalo - Somente Eu e Você
Mariah Carey - Bringin' on the Heartbreak
Milton Nascimento - Quem Sabe Isso Quer Dizer Amor
Norah Jones - Don't Know Why
Kid Abelha - Nada Sei "MP3"
Busta Rhymes and Mariah Carey - I Know What You Want
Capital Inicial - Como Devia Estar
Eminem - Sing For the Moment
CPM22 - Dias Atrás
Contribuição: Simone e Ayala
05 dezembro, 2006
Happy Hour de Natal
Lembramos a todos que nosso Happy Hour de Natal será no dia 15 de dezembro, sexta-feira, a partir das 17 horas, sem hora para terminar, na casa de Maria Teresa Lindsey em Higienópolis - São Paulo.
Abraços a todos
Abraços a todos
03 dezembro, 2006
01 dezembro, 2006
Confraternização (RJ)
Caros colegas,
A AIIC e a APIC convidam para a festa de fim de ano, onde haverá a já tradicional premiação de melhor técnico e da melhor empresa de som de 2006. Será no dia 7 de dezembro, 5ª feira, na ACADEMIA DA CACHAÇA do Leblon a partir das 18h30:
Academia da Cachaça - Leblon
Rua Conde Bernadotte, 26
Tel. (21) 2529-2680 (21) 2239-1542
A APIC e a AIIC oferecerão os "COMES" e os "BEBES" ficam por conta de cada um. Esperamos todos lá, pois afinal, a festa é nossa.
Abraços,
Regina Silveira e Heloisa Martins Costa
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