National Language Service Corps

22/03/2023

Similar but different! Sign languages that are closely related can still have distinct dialectical differences. Explore some of the similarities and distinctions within these dialects > http://ow.ly/zvOE50NkqSo

21/03/2023

Sign language performer Justina Miles goes viral during Rihanna's Super Bowl halftime performance

The Super Bowl’s half time sign language interpreter, Justina Miles, captivated millions with her exuberant interpretation skills! Take a look at her viral American Sign Language performance >

Miles, who is hard of hearing, was valedictorian at Model Secondary School for the Deaf and has gone viral on for performing popular songs on TikTok.

20/03/2023

Sign Languages Display Distinct Ancestries

This week we’re exploring sign languages around the world! Like oral languages, sign languages can be traced through language families. Take a look at the ancestry of these common sign languages >

Well more than 100 distinct sign languages exist worldwide, with each having features that made it possible for researchers to create an evolutionary tree of their lineages.

17/03/2023

Cultural advisers

Are you interested in cultural advising? Cultural advisors work with businesses and organizations to improve communication with others who are from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Check out these quick facts about cultural advising:

Learn more about Cultural advisers. Get the facts. Browse Cultural advisers job descriptions, duties, and salary. Learn about the skills and experience needed.

16/03/2023

Goals for teaching languages vary! But the consistent key ingredients for teaching languages include addressing student expectations; creating a positive learning environment; and finding a balance among modeling, explaining, and practice. Discover more about these general principles for teaching languages: http://ow.ly/6KUl50NeM07

15/03/2023

Attention all U.S. Federal Agencies! Did you know there is a Government-to-Government program offering flexible, affordable, and user-tailored language services, including interpretation, translation, instruction, and cultural support? Learn more about the National Language Service Corps (NLSC) and how you can partner with us: www.nlscorps.org

14/03/2023

Are you preparing for an interpreting assignment? Set yourself up for success by leveraging the experiences of other interpreters. Start by reading through these NLSC member tips for successful interpretation support in our NEW infographic!

13/03/2023

Nüshu: from tears to sunshine

Continue celebrating Women’s History Month by exploring Nüshu, the world’s only writing system that was created and used exclusively by women! Nüshu was developed during the 19th century in the Hunan province of China. Although the tradition of Nüshu is waning, this “special script that no man could read or write” gave the peasant women of Shanjiangxu a newfound “freedom to express themselves.” Learn more:

Nüshu is considered to be the world’s only writing system that is created and used exclusively by women.

13/03/2023

Consecutive Interpreting - Knowledge Centre on Interpretation - European Commission

This week is all about the types of mission support the NLSC provides: interpretation, translation, language instruction, cultural advising, and more! Start the week by exploring consecutive interpreting:

Consecutive Interpreting

09/03/2023

The 18 Best International TV Shows on Netflix

Watching a film or TV series in your target language can be a fantastic way to practice or learn! Take a look at these top international shows for some viewing recommendations >

Paste Magazine is your source for the best music, movies, TV, comedy, videogames, books, comics, craft beer, politics and more. Discover your favorite albums and films.

08/03/2023

31 Iconic Filming Locations Around the World You Can Actually Visit

If you’ve ever fallen in love with a movie’s otherworldly filming location, you’re not the first! Explore these famous filming locations around the world you can actually visit >

From the "Rocky Steps" in Philadelphia to Walter White's "Breaking Bad" house in Albuquerque, these are the 31 most iconic filming locations you can see in real life — and they're all worth the trip.

07/03/2023

Applications open for the English for Heritage Language Speakers (EHLS) program!

What is EHLS? EHLS trains native speakers of critical languages in advanced English and career skills. Program graduates are effective communicators and strong candidates for federal jobs. After the eight-month program at Georgetown University, participants work for the federal government for at least one year.

The program offers full scholarships for U.S. citizens who have a college degree and are native speakers of: Amharic, Arabic, Azerbaijani, Balochi, Bambara, Chinese Mandarin, Hausa, Hindi, Kazakh, Kirghiz, Kurdish, Korean, Persian Dari, Persian Farsi, Punjabi, Pushto/Pashto, Russian, Somali, Tadjik, Tamashek, Thai, Tigrinya, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, Uzbek, or Vietnamese.

Here are the upcoming in-person events:

Washington, DC – March 2023
-Thursday, March 9, 2023, 1:30PM – 3:15PM
Georgetown Neighborhood Library
-Tuesday, March 14, 2023, 10:30AM – 12:45PM
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library

Portland, OR – March 2023
-Thursday, March 16, 2023, 3:00PM – 5:30PM
Kenton Library
-Friday, March 17, 2023, 3:30PM – 5:55PM
Rockwood Library
-Saturday, March 18, 2023 – Tuesday, March 21, 2023
AAAL Conference
-Tuesday, March 21, 2023 – Friday, March 24, 2023
TESOL International Convention

Learn more and apply by July 6, 2023: https://www.ehlsprogram.org/how-to-apply/start-application/

07/03/2023

Belgium’s trilingual movie “Close” explores childhood relationships. Check out this interview with Belgian Director Lukas Dhont on the making of this Oscar-nominated film > http://ow.ly/k3qL50N7t66

06/03/2023

Oscars 2023: 'Argentina, 1985' nominated for best international film

In honor of the Oscars, we are dedicating this week to international films! “Argentina, 1985” is the eighth movie from Argentina to be nominated in the Best International Film category! Explore why this international motion picture broke so many records >

Record-breaking feature directed by Santiago Mitre becomes eighth film from Argentina to be nominated in 'Best International Film' category; Oscars ceremony set to take place Sunday, March 12, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

03/03/2023

Did you know the Turkish alphabet has 29 letters? Take a look at the Turkish writing system, which transitioned to the Latin alphabet in the early 20th century > http://ow.ly/8IFc50MZPSP

02/03/2023

Do you enjoy comparing languages, scripts, and characters? Explore this extensive list of alphabets and writing systems > http://ow.ly/5uQo50MZPQU

01/03/2023

Rare African script offers clues to the evolution of writing

Ever wonder how languages evolve? A study of the Vai script in Liberia can give us some clues! Discover how this language shows anthropologists how languages can evolve over a very short period of time >

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.

28/02/2023

Did you know the shapes of Hebrew letters have intrinsic meanings? Explore each letter to see its unique meaning and use > http://ow.ly/Bl1J50MZPLK

27/02/2023

This Country Has Three Alphabets, Here's Why

This week is all about alphabets! Did you know that Japanese has 3 different alphabets? Uncover why there are 3 writing systems and how they developed:

Discover the historical and cultural reasons behind why this language uses three different writing systems.

24/02/2023

Have you ever wanted to attend a flower festival in December? In Vietnam, Da Lat is known for its beautiful floral displays! Explore the history behind this festival and other Vietnamese holidays > http://ow.ly/pnNn50MTloh

23/02/2023

How do you greet someone appropriately in Vietnamese culture? It depends on the person! Take a look at the cultural norms of greetings in Vietnam > http://ow.ly/l2MY50MTlm8

22/02/2023

Do you know the differences between Vietnam’s three different types of theater: cheo, tuong, and cai luong? Explore the cultural aspects of Vietnamese art and family life > http://ow.ly/3Wkp50MTlkp

21/02/2023

Do you take your coffee with an egg? Egg coffee is a popular Vietnamese drink with an interesting history. Take a look > http://ow.ly/M0Q950MTliO

20/02/2023

Things You Should Know About Vietnamese Culture

This week, we’re discussing Vietnamese language and culture! Did you know many Vietnamese traditions date back thousands of years? Take a look at how these traditions reflect a deep appreciation for nature >

Planning a trip to Vietnam? These are the top things you need to know about Vietnamese culture before you go, to avoid any offensive faux paus with locals.

20/02/2023

A new dictionary will document the lexicon of African American English

Join the NLSC as we celebrate Black History Month! “Black Americans have long contributed to the ways in which the English language is used, and now a new research project aims to compile the first Oxford Dictionary of African American English.” Learn more:

A new research collaboration between Harvard University and Oxford University Press aims to compile the first fully-formed dictionary of African American English.

17/02/2023

Brazil’s great diversity is reflected in its delicious cuisine! Some of the country’s most popular regional dishes are flavorful street foods such as pão de queijo and aipim frito. Discover these 8 popular Brazilian street foods: http://ow.ly/FnQt50MPsEU

16/02/2023

South African Food Terms You Must Know - Glutto Digest

Are you a fan of South African cuisine? Expand your international dining vocabulary with these food-related words from the Zulu language:

Get familiar with these basic South African food terms for a complete experience next time you have a South African meal!

15/02/2023

Feed Your Soul With 24 Traditional Side Dishes to Honor Black History Month

Join the NLSC as we celebrate Black History Month! Since we’re discussing food cultures this week, we encourage you to put soul food on the menu. “Defined as traditional foods of the Black populations in the Deep South,” soul food can incorporate “varied ingredients and styles and can be influenced by lots of other culinary traditions.” Honor the legacy of Black heritage with these 24 best soul food sides that make the perfect accompaniment to any main dish this Black History Month:

The best soul food side dishes are made with love.

15/02/2023

Food Is Its Own Kind of Language

Curry, pepper, and cinnamon—each ingredient has a story! Food has always been its own kind of language. Explore the unbreakable connection between our stories and the things we eat:

Food has always been at the heart of people’s stories. In the magical realist novel Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel, the experience of food is colored by the struggle to reconcile family…

14/02/2023

Food and Language – the Inextricable Links: Food Idioms from Around the World

You’re as smart as a cookie! Check out these interesting food-related idioms from around the world and what they bring to their respective languages:

The links between food and language can be seen in the different food-related idioms found in languages across the globe.

13/02/2023

Language and Food - Earth to Tables Legacies

Join us this week as we discuss language, culture, and food! How is language similar to corn? According to a professor of the Mohawk language, both reconnect you to the community and give insight into how your ancestors thought and how your people think today. Discover how to rethink food through language:

A Worldview in Verbs.

11/02/2023

When Rihanna 'mumbles' in her native language | Lingoblog

Who’s excited for Rhianna’s Super Bowl Halftime Show?! Did you know Rhianna not only speaks but sings in Bajan, a creole language? Her hit song “Work” features her native language of Bajan in the chorus. Discover more about Rhianna and Bajan:

You probably noticed that you can’t understand what Rihanna is singing in the chorus of her song “Work”. What most people don’t know, is that she isn’t

10/02/2023

The Origins of Common Medical Terminology and Acronyms

New medical terms no longer have their root in Greek or Latin—they come from everyday English! Learn why English has become the language of choice for medical terminology:

Why is it called "attending physician"? In healthcare, we use a ton of medical terminology and acronyms. Here are the origins behind some of those terms.

09/02/2023

Interpretation and translation are becoming increasingly vital elements of health care. Explore this resource to help health professionals navigate multilingual health care in the United States: http://ow.ly/TO4q50MIjk0

08/02/2023

Language Is Not A Barrier—It Is An Opportunity To Improve Health Equity Through Education | Health Affairs Forefront

When patients and health care providers don’t speak the same language, research shows the result is “worse health outcomes, reduced access to health information, and decreased satisfaction with care.” Read why some medical professionals see language as the key to improving health care for all:

For people with limited English proficiency, language-concordant health care—in which clinician and patient speak the same language—is associated with better health outcomes. One important but overlooked opportunity to improve health care access and communication for all patients, regardless of ...

07/02/2023

History of Medical Terminology

Ever ponder the history of medical terminology? Less than 5% of it is of Anglo-Saxon origin—the rest is from Greek, Latin, Arabic, Semitic, French, or Italian! Uncover the interesting linguistic origins of medical terminology:

Modern medical terminology includes words of great antiquity and others of very recent coinage. Some ancient terms boast of continuous existence with meaning and form unchanged from some dim, almost prehistoric period to the present.

06/02/2023

Medical interpreters bridge language and culture

Welcome to a week all about language and medicine! Start by exploring how interpreters enhance patient care >

Medical interpreters work with providers to enhance patient experiences when English is not the primary language.

03/02/2023

Argentinian Cooks Make Italian Pasta Their Own

Think you know pasta? Argentinian culinary professionals are putting their own twist on the traditional Italian food with new dishes demonstrating a uniquely Italian-Argentinian blend of culture >

Just as Italian American food has become proudly distinct from Italian cuisine, Argentinian cooks make Italian-ish recipes all their own.

02/02/2023

What Is the Appeal of Argentina, 1985 for International Audiences?

Movies can be a great way to practice your language comprehension! Take a look at an Oscar-nominated movie that analyzes some pivotal moments in Argentinian history >

Maybe foreign films are not your kick, but Argentina, 1985 is worth watching before the Academy Awards.

01/02/2023

An Introduction To Argentine Literature In 15 books

One popular way to practice a target language is reading! Explore these Argentinian authors to practice your Spanish while learning about Argentinian culture >

Argentine literature has been making waves since the earliest days of the republic. Go beyond Borges with this list of must-read books.