National Language Service Corps

09/20/2024

Known for its fusion of cultures, California and New Mexico’s “Spanish Southwest” melds century-old traditions from Spain with Native artistry to produce stunning folk art.

Peruse the missions, murals, and craftsmanship that tell the story of this vibrant region:

National Gallery of Art

09/19/2024

Taste the heart and soul of Costa Rica! From the hearty casado to the flavorful gallo pinto, discover dishes that blend comfort, tradition, and Latin flair:

Visit Costa Rica now with a small group of like-minded travelers and join the epic nine-day Costa Rica tour with Culture Trip led by our local insider.

09/18/2024

¡Allillanchu (hello)! Venture into the Andes and uncover ancient traditions that are still alive today.

Immerse yourself in this guide that weaves together Quechua narratives, stunning visual arts, and music that echoes through the ages: https://ow.ly/6qUH50TeFfZ

09/17/2024

Looking for some engaging, educational resources to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month?

Dive into these bilingual guides that will connect you to Hispanic culture, arts, history, and science. Perfect for classrooms or at home! Explore now:

Our bilingual materials are created to explore various approaches and to enhance the classroom learning experience.

09/16/2024

National Hispanic Heritage Month is here! This week, we celebrate and honor the rich heritage, diverse cultures, and remarkable achievements of Hispanic Americans.

Get the celebration started by learning about the significance of this important observance and checking out some interesting facts about the Hispanic community in the United States: https://ow.ly/20Xn50TeFb2

09/13/2024

Does anyone still say “on fleek”? Slang comes and goes, but thanks to social media, we can now track these trends with more precision!

Uncover how social media is revolutionizing our understanding of language change:

Linguists are using the internet to track the evolution of slang in real time.

09/12/2024

WDYM OfC abbreviations are NBD? When limits exist and every character counts, new words and abbreviations are born.

Start decoding the latest in social media and texting lingo:

Learning these texting abbreviations will save you time—and a headache when you don't know what they stand for!

09/11/2024

Emojis speak louder than words . . . sometimes. These tiny symbols have shaped our electronic communications, adding layers of emotion and meaning to our social media posts and text messages.

Learn how emojis can both enhance and complicate our digital conversations:

Contact: Shelby Cefaratti-Bertin, Baylor University Media & Public Relations, 254-327-8012Follow us on Twitter: 

09/10/2024

Social media is playing a key role in preserving local languages in Bhutan! A popular Chinese social media platform is giving Bhutanese individuals a new way to use and share their largely unwritten native languages through voice messaging.

Take a look at the impact:

Social media is giving a new lifeline to Bhutan’s native languages, which do not have written script and lack proper documentation.

09/09/2024

NLSC fam, this week is going to be 🔥! Discover how social media can shape and preserve language while serving as a valuable tool for language learning.

Analyzing social media posts can help us connect grammar concepts to real-world usage, making language learning more dynamic and engaging. Check it out:

Tweets and other social media posts give students a rich context for engaging with concepts in the target language.

09/06/2024

Artificial intelligence meets ancient linguistics! A 21-year-old cracked the code of a 2,000-year-old scroll using machine learning.

This groundbreaking achievement opens new doors in our understanding of classical texts. Dig in:

The papyrus scroll is one of hundreds that were carbonized in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 C.E.

09/05/2024

Transform language education with virtual reality (VR)! VR is helping students overcome language barriers by allowing them to practice English in low-pressure, lifelike settings, boosting their confidence and fluency.

Take a look:

Virtual reality occupies an important space in the world of gaming, but that is far from its only use. Because VR gives users the opportunity to immerse themselves in virtual worlds that imitate real life and communication with other humans (or machines) in those worlds, it can also be used to simul...

09/04/2024

A wireless clip-on microphone is not just for social media content creators—it can also preserve endangered languages!

Uncover how this small but powerful device is helping language experts document and protect the cultural treasures hidden within our most at-risk languages:

More than 3,400 languages are at risk of disappearing permanently. Shure is working with the Living Tongues Institute to record and preserve as many as possible.

09/03/2024

The NLSC team had a fantastic visit to the 2024 National Guard Association of the United States - NGAUS 146th General Conference & Exhibition in Detroit, Michigan! We always enjoy our time with National Guard units from all over the United States, learning about the countries they collaborate with as part of the State Partnership Program.

NLSC Director CDR Giuliana Vellucci even had the opportunity to share our mission with acting Army National Guard Director LTG Jonathan Stubbs during a surprise visit to our booth. Thanks to everyone who stopped by!

09/03/2024

Will artificial intelligence eventually replace human translators? While machine translation offers speed and convenience, it often lacks the nuance, creativity, sensitivity, and accuracy of human expertise.

Explore why professional translators remain essential in the evolving world of language:

While machine translation may be good for simple tasks, AI can't replace the human touch. Visit our blog to learn why human translators are still needed.

09/03/2024

Thank you to Detroit Parks & Recreation for hosting NLSC Great Lakes Region members for a private tour of Historic Fort Wayne on Sunday, August 25! We offer a special shout out to our tour guide, BG, who did an incredible job sharing the rich history of this important military landmark. NLSC Director CDR Giuliana Vellucci joined us for the NLSC’s first-ever Detroit event. We truly enjoyed our time exploring history in the company of our amazing NLSC members.

09/02/2024

Join us this week to discuss language and technology! Can language learning and computer science go hand in hand? Absolutely!

Coding is a powerful way to boost fluency, creativity, and critical thinking. Check it out:

Focusing on future-ready skills—like computer science and app development—helps English language learners become better critical thinkers and more fluent speakers.

08/30/2024

Need some motivation to kick-start your language learning journey this fall?

Learning new languages offers a range of incredible benefits, including boosting cognitive abilities, improving communication skills, expanding career prospects, and enriching travel and cultural experiences.

Explore more and start reaping the benefits! >

Learning a foreign language can be incredibly rewarding and beneficial in many ways. Check out our list of nine key benefits of learning a second language and discover why investing in language learning is a smart move.

08/29/2024

Craving some creative language learning tips? Consider labeling your bedroom furniture with sticky notes or changing your phone settings to your target language! Stay consistent, set strategic goals, and embrace mistakes.

Learn more:

Teachers from the SOAS Language Centre share their favourite tips for learning a language and sticking to it, from building confidence and setting goals to getting creative in your everyday practice.

08/28/2024

How do polyglots become multilingual? According to one speaker of 9 languages, the key to learning languages is finding ways to enjoy the language learning process.

It’s not about talent—just discovering an approach that you love. Watch the video now:

Learning a new language can be daunting, especially if you don't think you have the skill for it. But polygot Lýdia Machová says the secret is in the process of learning itself.

08/27/2024

Learning a new language can be intimidating, especially when it comes to speaking in front of others. These 17 fun and interactive games will ease the pressure and make speaking practice more enjoyable!

Try them out:

When learning a new language, speaking in front of peers can be daunting. These games can help alleviate pressure and lower the stakes for students.

08/26/2024

Whether a current student or lifelong learner, back-to-school season is the ideal time to sharpen your learning techniques.

This week, explore study tips designed to help you achieve your language learning goals. Get ready to elevate your skills this fall with the NLSC’s language learning resources! > https://nlscorps.org/resources

08/23/2024

Step into the Gedeo Cultural Landscape in Ethiopia: a world where tradition and nature thrive together. Ancient trees shelter enset (the main crop under which coffee grows), coffee, shrubs, and more in a unique agroforestry system.

The Gedeo people’s traditional knowledge and scared rituals preserve this living UNESCO heritage site. Learn more:

The property lies along the eastern edge of the Main Ethiopian Rift, on the steep escarpments of the Ethiopian highlands. An area of agroforestry, it utilizes multilayer cultivation with large trees sheltering ...

08/22/2024

Indulge in the unique flavors of injera, spicy stews, and aromatic berbere. Don’t miss the chance to wrap up your feast with the finest Ethiopian coffee!

Dive tastebuds-first into these 15 dishes that showcase Ethiopia’s rich culinary heritage:

The cuisine of Ethiopia is simply delicious. These are the 15 best dishes – from tibs (pan-fried sliced beef or lamb) to fuul (stewed and spiced fava beans).

08/21/2024

You can thank a few goats for your morning cup of coffee! Legend has it that Ethiopian coffee started when goats nibbled on red berries.

Discover the soulful Jebena Buna coffee ceremony in Ethiopia, where coffee is more than a drink—it’s a cherished cultural tradition:

In Ethiopia coffee is an important part of cultural life. Discover the history traditions and best places to try coffee in Addis Ababa.

08/20/2024

Did you know? The Oromo language, known as Afaan Oromo or Oromiffa, has a pitch-accent system. Part of the Cush*tic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family, Oromo is native to Ethiopia.

Uncover more intriguing facts about Oromo:

Interested in learning more about the Oromo language and its status? Read about its structure and find out how widely it is spoken worldwide.

08/19/2024

Join us this week for a fruitful conversation on Ethiopian language and culture! How much do you know about Ethiopia?

With a legacy of ancient kingdoms and over 80 ethnic groups, Ethiopia has a fascinating history and colorful culture.

Test your knowledge with this factbook provided by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA):

The area that is modern-day Ethiopia is rich in cultural and religious diversity with more than 80 ethnic groups. The oldest hominid yet found comes from Ethiopia, and Ethiopia was the second country to officially adopt Christianity in the 4th century A.D. A series of monarchies ruled the area that....

08/16/2024

How do languages evolve over time? The Vai script in Liberia offers compelling clues!

Unearth how studying the Vai script helps anthropologists unravel the mysteries of linguistic transformation and the dynamics of language evolution:

The world's very first invention of writing took place over 5000 years ago in the Middle East, before it was reinvented in China and Central America. Today, almost all human activities—from education to political systems and computer code—rely on this technology.

08/15/2024

Hangul, the Korean script, may appear complex, but it’s designed for simplicity and efficiency! Each symbol represents a sound and the mouth shape used to pronounce it.

Check out these 8 reasons why learning Hangul is easier than it appears due to the logic behind its structure:

At first sight Korean script known as Hangul or Hangeul looks ultra-complicated to Western eyes. However these symbols follow a number of simple rules which...

08/14/2024

The Maldivian language script, Thaana, displays a fascinating blend of alphabetic and abugida features. With its origins in Arabic numerals and ancient Maldivian letters, Thaana beautifully captures the fertile linguistic heritage of the Maldives.

Discover this distinctive and historically rich writing system: https://ow.ly/P4LO50SUHIm