Category Archives: Idiomas/Languages

Of Reading Lists and The Hunger Games

Are you finishing a summer (or winter, if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere) reading list right now? If you’re anything like me, you still have a stack of books—or a list in Audible or your local library app—yet to read! I’ve had time to enjoy several titles, though, and I’m deep into the novel HappyContinue reading “Of Reading Lists and The Hunger Games”

Medicinal Plants: Back to the Future

Here where I live, spring has sprung. Flowers are blooming and bees are buzzing. In celebration of springtime, take a look at this beautiful publication in Spanish about medicinal plants, called “Volver al futuro” (“Back to the Future”). It shares long-held wisdom about using plants for our health. Visit: “Volver al futuro” The author, JesúsContinue reading “Medicinal Plants: Back to the Future”

The State of Language Access in the U.S.

Happy April to everyone near and far! 🌸 As many folks in the U.S. are aware, last month our president filed “Executive Order 14224” declaring English to be the official language of this country. This revoked “Executive Order 13166” (called “Improving Access to Services for Persons With Limited English Proficiency”), which was issued by formerContinue reading “The State of Language Access in the U.S.”

Children’s Books in Translation

It’s almost fall in the Northern Hemisphere! This means back-to-school time, and I’m seeing updates about new books in translation for kids. There are now an unprecedented number of children’s books in translation. When I taught Spanish in K-12 schools, I loved discovering new children’s books in translation. I taught Spanish in elementary schools forContinue reading “Children’s Books in Translation”

Interspecies Communication: Can We Talk to Whales?

Whether it’s the idea of contact with extraterrestrials, sign language with primates or practicing new tricks with the family dog, humans are fascinated by the idea of communicating with other species. For her recent New Yorker article “Talk to Me,” science writer and journalist Elizabeth Kolbert traveled to Dominica to report on CETI: The CetaceanContinue reading “Interspecies Communication: Can We Talk to Whales?”

Winter Words

Both Spanish and English have beautiful words to describe winter! These unique words go beyond some of the more commonly known terms to conjure up the feeling of the season. Spanish winter words: carámbano – icicle rompope – eggnog duende – elf, fairy, goblin copo de nieve – snowflake hoguera – bonfire granizo – hailContinue reading “Winter Words”