European Day of Languages

by Anna Caruk

WARM UP

Read the short text below and choose the best title. Justify
your choice.

a) The European Day of Languages: A Quiet Affair

b) Europe's Languages: A Barrier to Unity
c) Unlocking Europe's Linguistic Treasure Chest
d) Why Bother with European Languages?

In a world that never stops talking, there's a day when Europe dons its
most vibrant linguistic attire and joins the global conversation with a
flourish - the European Day of Languages! It's like a grand carnival of
words, where languages parade like vivid costumes in a vibrant street
festival.
Imagine this: a continent where over 200 languages coexist, dance, and
sing. From the romantic whispers of Italian to the robust cadence of
German, from the rhythmic melodies of Spanish to the poetic charms of
French – Europe's linguistic mosaic is nothing short of magical.
But why celebrate this linguistic extravaganza, you ask?
Well, dear language enthusiast, European Day of Languages isn't just
about speaking, but about listening too. It's about the thrill of
discovering new sounds, expressions, and stories. It's about unlocking
the treasure chest of culture, history, and human connection hidden
behind every word.
Picture yourself meandering through the bustling streets of Madrid,
ordering your café con leche with the flair of a local. Or perhaps,
engaging in a passionate debate on the streets of Paris, savoring the art
of conversation as only the French can. It's all possible because, on this
day, Europe invites you to open your heart and ears to the symphony of
languages.
This celebration isn't just about being multilingual; it's about being open-
minded. It's about embracing diversity, breaking down barriers, and
fostering friendships that transcend borders.
So, whether you're an aspiring polyglot or simply curious about the world,
join us in celebrating the European Day of Languages. Let's embark on a
linguistic adventure that will open doors, broaden horizons, and most
importantly, connect us all through the beautiful tapestry of words.

Ⓒ by Anna Caruk 2023

EX.1
Watch the video presenting “8 European Language Facts you
HAVE to know!!!!“. Make notes. How many of them can you
remember? Has anything surprised you? What exactly?

EX.2
Match the phrases to the right languages. What do you think
the phrases mean? They mean: Hello, Thank you, How are You?

1. Bonjour - French
2. Como vai? - Portuguese
3. Hola - Spanish
French: .............. 4. Tack - Swedish
German: .............. 5. Ciao - Italian
6. Comment ça va? - French
Portuguese: .............. 7. Grazie - Italian
8. Danke - German
Spanish: .............. 9. Merci - French
Dutch: .............. 10. Obrigado/a - Portuguese
11. Wie geht es dir? - German
Swedish: .............. 12. Olá - Portuguese
13. Hallo - Dutch
Italian: .............. 14. Hoe gaat het? - Dutch
15. Como stai? - Italian
16. Hej - Swedish
17. Hur mår du? - Swedish
18. Dank je - Dutch

EX.3
Guess the language. Have fun!

Was it easy? Did you like it?

Ⓒ by Anna Caruk 2023

EX.4
Fill in the gaps with the words from the brackets in the right
form to find out language facts highlighting the diversity
and uniqueness of European languages.

1. Luxembourg - Three Official Languages: Luxembourg is a small

European country with three official languages: Luxembourgish,
French, and German. Luxembourgish is the national language and
often used in informal settings, while French and German are used in
official documents and education.
2. Gaelic in Ireland: While English is the most widely spoken language in
Ireland, the Irish government is actively promoting the Irish language
(Gaeilge). They even have a "Gaeltacht" region where Irish is the
primary language.
3. Multilingual Switzerland: Switzerland has four official languages:
German, French, Italian, and Romansh. The language spoken in a
particular region of Switzerland depends on its proximity to
neighbouring countries.
4. Basque Mystery: The Basque language, spoken in the Basque Country
of Spain and France, is unique in that it has no known linguistic
relatives. It's a language isolate, meaning it has no clear connection
to any other language in the world.
5. Estonian Language Rebirth: The Estonian language faced suppression
during periods of foreign rule, particularly under Soviet control.
However, it experienced a revival and is now the national language of
Estonia.
6. Icelandic Preserved Through Isolation: Icelandic has changed very
little over the centuries due to Iceland's geographical isolation.
Modern Icelanders can still read the sagas written over 1,000 years
ago.
7. Maltese - A Unique Mix: The Maltese language is the only official
Semitic language of the European Union. It's a mix of Arabic, Italian,
and English influences, making it a unique linguistic hybrid.
8. Scots Language: In addition to English, Scotland has a distinct Scots
language. It's often viewed as a separate language from English, with
its own dialects and vocabulary.
9. Catalan Resurgence: The Catalan language, spoken in Catalonia,
Spain, was suppressed under the Franco regime. Today, it's
experiencing a resurgence, with efforts to promote and protect the
language.
10. Latvian - Rich in Dialects: Latvian, spoken in Latvia, has a rich
dialectical variety. Different regions have their own unique dialects,
and language enthusiasts often explore these linguistic variations.

Ⓒ by Anna Caruk 2023

EX.5
Discuss.

1. Which European language(s) would you like to learn, and why?

2. Have you ever faced any challenges or difficulties while
learning a new language? How did you overcome them?
3. What motivated you to start learning a new language, and what
keeps you motivated to continue?
4. Do you think being bilingual or multilingual has any advantages
in today's world? If so, what are they?
5. How do you handle situations where you don't understand
something in the language you're learning?
6. Do you believe that language and culture are interconnected?
How so?
7. Do you think language learning can be a lifelong journey? Why
or why not?
8. What advice would you give to someone who's just starting to
learn a new language?

EX.6
Here are tongue twisters in various European languages.
Listen to them and try to repeat.

English:
She sells seashells by the seashore. The shells she sells
are seashells, I’m sure. For if she sells seashells by the
seashore, then I’m sure she sells seashore shells.
French:
Les chaussettes de l'archiduchesse sont-elles sèches?
Archi-sèches!
Spanish:
Tres tristes tigres tragan trigo en un trigal. En tres
tristes trastos tragaban trigo tres tristes tigres.
German:
Fischer Fritze fischt frische Fische. Frische Fische fischt
Fischer Fritze.
Italian:
Sopra la panca la capra campa, sotto la panca la capra
crepa.

Ⓒ by Anna Caruk 2023

EX.7
Here are some language learning research findings that
were considered surprising or counterintuitive at the time.
Match the titles to the extracts.
1. Di versity in Language Learning Strategies
2. Adults vs. Chi ldren in Language Learning
3. Learning Speed and Age
4. La nguage Learning and Video Games
5. Bilingualism and Cognitive Benefits
6. Early Exposure to Multiple Languages
7. Frequ ency vs. Difficulty
8. Conte xt Over Grammar

1. Adults vs. Children in Language Learning: Research has shown that adults can be
just as successful as children in learning new languages, despite the common
belief that children are better language learners. This challenges the notion of a
"critical period" for language acquisition.
2. Context Over Grammar: Some studies have found that language learners who
focus on understanding and using language in real-life contexts tend to have
better long-term outcomes than those who focus solely on grammar rules and
vocabulary lists.
3. Frequency vs. Difficulty: Surprisingly, learning the most frequently used words in a
language, even if they are considered more challenging, can lead to faster
language acquisition compared to starting with simpler but less common words.
4. Bilingualism and Cognitive Benefits: Research has shown that bilingualism not
only benefits language skills but also provides cognitive advantages, such as
improved problem-solving abilities and enhanced multitasking skills.
5. Diversity in Language Learning Strategies: Different individuals may have unique
language learning strategies that work best for them. What works for one person
may not be as effective for another, emphasizing the importance of personalized
learning approaches.
6. Language Learning and Video Games: Some studies have explored the potential
benefits of incorporating video games into language learning, suggesting that
gamified language apps can enhance motivation and engagement, ultimately
improving language proficiency.
7. Early Exposure to Multiple Languages: Contrary to the belief that exposing a child
to multiple languages early on might cause confusion, research has shown that
early exposure to multiple languages can lead to improved cognitive flexibility and
language skills.
8. Learning Speed and Age: While it's commonly thought that younger individuals
learn languages faster, some research suggests that older learners can make
significant progress if they are motivated and employ effective learning strategies.

DISCUSS:

What was the most surprising language learning research finding

for you, and why?
How do these research findings challenge or confirm your previous
beliefs or assumptions about language learning?

Ⓒ by Anna Caruk 2023