Patrice and Rachel compare the verbal expressions of emotion and onomatopoeia from eleven different languages! It turns out that while there is a wide spectrum of variation, we seem to have an underlying core reaction when we experience different emotions. For sounds to express things we do, like eating, kissing, or crying, we have some noticeable … Continue reading Episode 4: The Sounds of Emotions Around the World
So we know that Spain is a Catholic country, and as such one of the benefits of living in Spain is a long weekend during Holy Week. After an unseasonably cold winter that just doesn't seem to want to quit, it was so nice that at the beginning of the week we started to … Continue reading Eating Torrijas in Salamanca, Spain
We discuss fascinating Spring festivals and traditions from around the world. From the more sober Holy Week in Spain to the Thai New Year festival, Songkran, where people pelt each other with water, this episode has a bit of everything, so you definitely don't want to miss it! A special thanks to Patti, who told … Continue reading Episode 3: Spring Festivals Around the World!
I've decided to start a new series called "Weird things I've eaten," inspired by a snack brought back from Nanjing in Jiangsu Province this week, and then gifted to me. For those who, like me, have no idea where that is, see map: I have eaten too many weird things not to keep a chronicle of … Continue reading Weird Foods 1
On the challenges and benefits of going somewhere when you don't speak the language. We also give you some protips that will make your endeavor easier. Thanks to our listener who submitted his hilarious story of trying to find a hat for his girlfriend in a souvenir store. To submit your own Lost in Translation … Continue reading Episode 2: Going Somewhere When You Don’t Speak the Language
I haven't been in China for very long, but I have learned some pretty important lessons in my 3.5 weeks here. You might be surprised you never thought of these yourself. Or you might be, like, a little mad that these are not valuable lessons for you at all. But here you are, and here … Continue reading Confucius say… (3 Important Lessons from China)
Welcome to our show! We are Patrice and Rachel, the language nerds. In this episode, we talk about our backgrounds, why we love language, what to expect from the show, and linguistic relativity. Stay tuned for a Lost in Translation moment from each of us at the end. If you want to submit your own … Continue reading Episode 1: Introducing the Language Nerds!
I thought that, while I’m still fresh off the boat in China, I’d take some time to describe a typical day for me here. I’m sure that in about 6 months, when I’m more established with a local bank account, better Mandarin, and the ability to scan QR codes in a meaningful way (I’m telling … Continue reading 2 Weeks in: A Day in My Chinese Life
We've made it to our apartment in Shenzhen, and the first week in China has been nothing but recalculating what normal is.
This is a 3-part series! If you missed part 1, check it out here! Or to skip to the third part, go here! Well, we are officially in China -- all four of us! Listen, I'm just as surprised as anyone else. I guess it's good that I wasn't worried about myself. In China, it's … Continue reading Four suitcases, two backpacks, two cats, and 3 planes (part 2/3)