Happy Chinese “Neigh” Year!

    • learn mandarin for the chinese new yearFriday 31st January 2014 sees the beginning of the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Horse.

      The Chinese Zodiac, known as Shēngxiào, is based on a 12-year cycle and each year in that cycle is related to an animal sign. These animal signs are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. Each animal is associated with an “earthly branch” such as fire, water, metal or wood.

      It’s believed that the animals in the Chinese zodiac calendar originated from the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD), during which they were used to count years in the same way as the modern Christian calendar.

      Are you a horse?

      Horses symbolize graciousness, dignity, momentum and firmness. In Chinese culture, people born in the Year of the Horse are regarded as intelligent, witty, elegant, eloquent speakers and charming. Their excellent communicaton skills and intolerance of failure usually sees them succeed in life.

       

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  • Get your tongue wagging on International Mother Language Day 2014!

    • How often should you use your mother language?Friday 21st February is International Mother Language Day and worldwide it is a day to encourage people to continue using their mother language, while learning and using more than one language. So get your tongues wagging to spread the love for your mother language!

      Established in 1999 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), International Mother Language Day has been observed since February 2000 and aims to celebrate the celebrate linguistic and cultural diversity, and to promote the preservation and protection of all the languages used by people of the world!

       

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  • “Pour Faire des Crêpes” this Pancake Tuesday

    • blog 140305 shrove tuesShrove Tuesday is the last day before the long fast for the Lent period in many Christian churches and has many names, including Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras, the Tuesday of Carnival, and Pancake Day.

      The tradition of Shrove Tuesday derives from medieval Christianity, where Christians would enjoy one last day of feasting by using up all their eggs, butter, and milk – all of which were forbidden during the forthcoming Lent – to make pancakes and pastries.

      Although the French term ‘Mardi Gras’ refers to a day of plenty, the term ‘Carnival’ – as it’s referred to in Spanish and Italian-speaking countries – is derived from the words “carne levar” (to take away meat) pointing out another aspect of the Lenten fast.

      Download our French for Kids Activity Sheet for your crepes recipe!

       

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  • Easter around the World

    • Eat like an ITALIAN this Easter 

      The Colomba cake, is a sweet, eggy, yeasted bread (like panettone) shaped in one of the most recognizable symbols of Easter, the dove.

      The Colomba cake takes on this form precisely because la colombain Italian means dove, the symbol of peace and an appropriate finish to Easter dinner.

      “Christmas at home and Easter with whomever you wish” (old Italian saying).

       

       Italian Easter traditions

      Registrations for Term 2 clubs are open and we’ve made it EASY and QUICK for you to register for your Fun Languages club in Term 2! 

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      See you in Term 2 and a very Happy Easter from all of us at Fun Languages!

      In Verges, SPAIN,the traditional La Danza de la Muerte” or “death dance” is performed.  Dating back to the 14th century, the tradition has people dressing in skeleton costumes and parading through the streets. 

       

       Spanish Easter traditions

      “Colomba con fiori” by Picasso 

      THE HISTORY OF EASTER EGGS

       It’s common knowledge that Easter is a major part of many religious cultures and belief, the most well know to us being the Christian celebration of Christ’s rising.

       But this holiday also has pagan origins. 

      Ever wondered where the colorUed eggs, cute little bunnies, baby chicks, leg of lamb dinners, and lilies come from?

       

      easter colourful  

       

      In FRANCE the Chateau Vaux Le Vicomte, Maincy, outside of Paris hosts an Easter egg hunt on Easter Sunday and Monday. 

      Some 35,000 eggs are hidden for hunting.  

       

      chateau vaux le vicomte

       

      A GERMAN tradition of decorating trees and bushes with Easter eggs is known as the Ostereierbaum, or Easter egg tree

      Along with decorated eggs, many of the customs associated with Easter celebrations are originally from Germany including the Easter bunny.

       

      germaneastereggtree

       

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  • Why Do We Say “Mayday”?

    • blog 140502 maydaySince we’ve just celebrated May Day we thought it would be a good time to share an interesting “Mayday morsel” with all our Fun Languages fans. And it has nothing to do with an ancient Northern Hemisphere Spring festival or celebrating the achievements of workers!

      What we’re talking about is the emergency code word “Mayday” used internationally as a distress signal in voice procedure radio communications.

      Did you know …

      The Mayday procedure word originated in 1923 with Frederick Stanley Mockford a senior radio officer at Croydon Airport in London. Mockford was asked to think of a word that would indicate distress and would easily be understood by all pilots and ground staff in an emergency. Since much of the traffic at the time was between Croydon and Le Bourget Airport in Paris, he proposed the word “Mayday” from the French “m’aider” (shortening of venez m’aider “come help me!”)

       

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