tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85669456948012744812024-03-12T20:30:19.290-07:00The LanguageGuide.org BlogTom Blackmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06429217661946384307noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566945694801274481.post-81865388067015314932022-08-16T07:18:00.000-07:002022-08-16T07:18:14.807-07:00Latest Developments in 2022<ol style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEPRmm9btkwzhjxmOdapyPCnyWE85oRFPdGNf2hkn7dXoWFM1QV4ZqhqeC2sw4Kz_iL6aiZ_fYiAJAwHucyFE_NshOuw-EPrh_hb8Oq57OXyZGeexhTvfuoXfVbX7KKEMdd9KFqK6JA0ddvdr7I9kR-pYbvoqJ1pocqRrRGbKfxeNST_LSVTaS8mWig/s400/space.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="400" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEPRmm9btkwzhjxmOdapyPCnyWE85oRFPdGNf2hkn7dXoWFM1QV4ZqhqeC2sw4Kz_iL6aiZ_fYiAJAwHucyFE_NshOuw-EPrh_hb8Oq57OXyZGeexhTvfuoXfVbX7KKEMdd9KFqK6JA0ddvdr7I9kR-pYbvoqJ1pocqRrRGbKfxeNST_LSVTaS8mWig/s320/space.png" width="320" /> </a></ol><ol style="text-align: left;"> <li style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">When viewing pictorial guide pages on desktop size screen, the images now automatically reposition themselves to best take advantage of the available screen size: (for example <a href="https://www.languageguide.org/french/vocabulary/space/">L'espace</a> in the <a href="https://www.languageguide.org/french/vocabulary/">French vocabulary</a> guide or<a href="https://www.languageguide.org/english/vocabulary/space/"> Space</a> in the <a href="https://www.languageguide.org/english/vocabulary/">English vocabulary</a> guide)</div></li><li>The <a href="https://www.languageguide.org/french/vocabulary/">French vocabulary</a> and <a href="https://www.languageguide.org/french/grammar/">French grammar</a> guides went through additional rounds of review by native speakers, as well as the <a href="https://www.languageguide.org/german/vocabulary/">German</a>, <a href="https://www.languageguide.org/spanish/vocabulary/">Spanish</a>, <a href="https://www.languageguide.org/italian/vocabulary/">Italian</a>, and <a href="https://www.languageguide.org/portuguese/vocabulary/">Portuguese </a>vocabulary guides. In most cases two separate native speakers reviewed content which is helpful in identifying <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.fr/le-bon-lien/article/crayon-a-papier-ou-crayon-de-papier-la-carte-du-francais-de-nos-regions-qui-fait-hurler_110387.html">regional variants</a>. Some technical issues affecting the Speaking Challenge were fixed as well as issues in which words or images had no audio. The expectation is that the guides be reference quality and everything should have audio. If you notice anything that seems amiss, feel free to write Tom at <a href="mailto:languageguide.org@gmail.com">languageguide.org@gmail.com</a>.<br /></li><li>The <a href="https://www.languageguide.org/spanish/vocabulary/">Spanish</a>, <a href="https://www.languageguide.org/italian/vocabulary/">Italian</a>, <a href="https://www.languageguide.org/portuguese/vocabulary/">Portuguese</a> and <a href="https://www.languageguide.org/english-uk/vocabulary/">English UK</a> vocabulary guides were expanded. <br /></li></ol>Tom Blackmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06429217661946384307noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566945694801274481.post-13143566097153924752020-02-07T17:00:00.000-08:002020-02-08T10:36:31.518-08:00Voice Recognition and the Speaking Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JzM9z1a_Ngq2JHib9Aev1GAGkaJZA5viA88uXVgWR2CNRbR7QwewLyV6_rHcNKNOjnT1Qrevx8YOUTKUZtXLco0s5XPXZctPeqwXun1OVhAQ3mnNe_xI4HCP5ULu8-OL_NYmzL8lWPp5/s1600/Screen+Shot+2020-02-07+at+7.27.17+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="848" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JzM9z1a_Ngq2JHib9Aev1GAGkaJZA5viA88uXVgWR2CNRbR7QwewLyV6_rHcNKNOjnT1Qrevx8YOUTKUZtXLco0s5XPXZctPeqwXun1OVhAQ3mnNe_xI4HCP5ULu8-OL_NYmzL8lWPp5/s320/Screen+Shot+2020-02-07+at+7.27.17+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
The 'Speech Challenge' now supports voice recognition on <a href="https://www.google.com/chrome/">Google Chrome</a> although it's not yet supported on IOS. Go to an interactive picture page such as <a href="https://www.languageguide.org/english/vocabulary/insects/">insects</a>, one of my favorites. (ou <a href="https://www.languageguide.org/french/vocabulary/insects/">les insects</a> pour les étudiants de français), After clicking on the 'Speech Challenge' button, click on the microphone toggle on the top bar, and confirm that you wish to use the microphone. Say the name of the selected insect! Upon hearing your voice, the correct word is uttered allowing you to make a quick comparison of pronunciation and word choice.<br />
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Interacting with the page this way is a lot more fun than clicking on the page or play button. Please <a href="https://www.languageguide.org/page/contact.jsp?lang=en">let me know</a> if you experience any issues or see other problems since quite a few changes were made to the scripts.Tom Blackmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06429217661946384307noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566945694801274481.post-41796209202435904132015-09-05T06:38:00.003-07:002015-09-05T06:38:37.459-07:00les tâches / chores<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.5636px; margin-bottom: 6px; widows: 1;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ29tas0gZuGyiqY_pzey2g2FqioHPJ8ZWwLRHQqZ_8Re7fXQYFB-HIyi6KPFcpuMJK56zDfYp-6Ew8sWfZA_rX8TYYlqSQxNVLrKu_cjiXk2xeQFgKqFlIP-3z68znZnlqPubEp_k0Oea/s1600/1399124390_becd2efd57_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ29tas0gZuGyiqY_pzey2g2FqioHPJ8ZWwLRHQqZ_8Re7fXQYFB-HIyi6KPFcpuMJK56zDfYp-6Ew8sWfZA_rX8TYYlqSQxNVLrKu_cjiXk2xeQFgKqFlIP-3z68znZnlqPubEp_k0Oea/s1600/1399124390_becd2efd57_n.jpg" /></a></div>
One of the objectives of the vocabulary guides is to help you become an expert in particular domains. Several years ago when I was living in France, I found that I was totally at ease conversing about certain topics, but really struggled talking about chores and housekeeping with my French roommate. </div>
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The housekeeping pages on the <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/french/vocabulary/">French Vocabulary</a> guide were the fruit of these vocabulary struggles: </div>
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"<a href="http://www.languageguide.org/french/vocabulary/utility-room/">la buanderie</a>" (the French version of the Utility Room), <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/french/vocabulary/messes-and-chores/">Messes</a>, <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/french/vocabulary/chores/">Chores</a>, and the <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/french/vocabulary/laundry/">Laundry</a>. If you learn the vocabulary on these pages you'll be able to describe messes, cleaning and chores with sophisticated, precise vocabulary.<br />
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There are also versions for people learning English. Go to the <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/english/vocabulary/">English vocabulary</a> guide, select your native language in the upper left hand corner, and go to the Home section.<br />
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Tom Blackmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06429217661946384307noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566945694801274481.post-50712801358586952532015-08-03T07:37:00.001-07:002015-08-03T07:37:14.796-07:00French Vocabulary interface Updated<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie1L2cVYXLQqu7CMCVuiFyr3tytu04Yk6cQXAhbDRk2fOV8DulxJQTkjLALAHErlZpY-47CnUEjH66Rih-azGmH8a7v4GgbJd5a-3MLg1GnxqUfymOofVDK5tC9u7oBi4HKcxvLGP4Xh8a/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-08-03+at+9.32.26+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie1L2cVYXLQqu7CMCVuiFyr3tytu04Yk6cQXAhbDRk2fOV8DulxJQTkjLALAHErlZpY-47CnUEjH66Rih-azGmH8a7v4GgbJd5a-3MLg1GnxqUfymOofVDK5tC9u7oBi4HKcxvLGP4Xh8a/s320/Screen+Shot+2015-08-03+at+9.32.26+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
The interface for the <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/french/vocabulary/">French complimentary vocabulary pages</a> have been updated. Feminine adjectives now appear in a pink rectangle to the right of the masculine adjective.Tom Blackmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06429217661946384307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566945694801274481.post-17884352346662484052015-07-20T07:36:00.005-07:002015-07-20T07:36:54.209-07:00New Version of Hindi guideA new <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/hindi/vocabulary/">Hindi vocabulary guide</a> is available.Tom Blackmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06429217661946384307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566945694801274481.post-88534118538368070482015-07-19T04:33:00.001-07:002015-07-19T04:33:11.396-07:00New Site Interface<div>
<a href="http://languageguide.org/">Languageguide.org</a> has a new more intuitive, mobile friendly interface. The changes have been progressively rolled out over the last 6 months so if you're a regular user of the site you're probably already familiar with it. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Welcome Page</span></div>
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The <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/">welcome page</a> of the site has a completely new look. Every hour the background image changes, hopefully giving users wanderlust and more motivation to learn a language. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHUV46h-4Q_rcN-G6PxCBrTayHqBhr8ZiG0wrDngExwC3-R61zbwWcN5Ta1mz6pn3yqzuXUQj1HVCjum49_vOcGkGJzj2IdgJxtiFC6M2HNhKf3wXhWHoVXs-8rbSbyJSsHA6qBP51x6IX/s1600/turtle.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHUV46h-4Q_rcN-G6PxCBrTayHqBhr8ZiG0wrDngExwC3-R61zbwWcN5Ta1mz6pn3yqzuXUQj1HVCjum49_vOcGkGJzj2IdgJxtiFC6M2HNhKf3wXhWHoVXs-8rbSbyJSsHA6qBP51x6IX/s1600/turtle.png" /></a></div>
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The image based pages have been refreshed. Now whenever a part of an image is referred to, for example the shell of the turtle in the <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/english/vocabulary/reptiles-and-amphibians/">Reptile & Amphibian Vocabulary</a>, it will appear in a circle or shape that has been shaded in such a way that it appears to be floating over the page. Two red buttons appear at the top of the page - the Speaking Challenge and the Listening Challenge. Rather than trying to simply absorb the vocabulary, I encourage you to attempt each page's challenges. If you have activated <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/english/game.html">game mode</a>, you'll also have the chance to earn points and win awards.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Complementary Text Based Vocabulary</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLFJPsOfDbGHrB4X_8PmsG4ziYnlDDJi9jyBaeDdPSGmVTuYQM_FnQi1mKAhJCL4Y1V04U0M_jI26AYW_zzyE09YHNxBjSXIW1iECOVb_DaRNm17VieGOKQJVnkk-r0ZJ3koolOmqnWbO/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-07-19+at+1.25.00+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLFJPsOfDbGHrB4X_8PmsG4ziYnlDDJi9jyBaeDdPSGmVTuYQM_FnQi1mKAhJCL4Y1V04U0M_jI26AYW_zzyE09YHNxBjSXIW1iECOVb_DaRNm17VieGOKQJVnkk-r0ZJ3koolOmqnWbO/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-07-19+at+1.25.00+PM.png" /></a></div>
Finally the pages with verbs, adjectives and abstract nouns were updated earlier this year - at least the versions for learning English. You hear a word when you touch or place your cursor over the table rows. As an example check out <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/anglais/vocabulaire/lave-linge/">Laundry Vocabulary</a>. In addition the images where made bigger and verbs are stored in green rectangles with curved corners and nouns in blue tables with perpendicular corners.<br />
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Translations Help Needed</h2>
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With the new interface additions, we need your help with translations. Please select <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/eng/add_language.html">the language you'd like to translate</a> to and then click on the Site interface tab. You can login using either Facebook or language guide. Thank you. </div>
Tom Blackmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06429217661946384307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566945694801274481.post-18074770824333272602015-05-01T13:16:00.004-07:002015-05-01T18:00:10.869-07:00English Language Guide - The App<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCiJtNJu5KnJ5rBmTKsUxDOnT-iHqZ8yKrX5sasdh-AGU873AM_JxiWkChz6JzPm7DwWL48EQwxyI0YwI2B7wdaet8bia1DkfHYEkwDqKz4KXWu27iklmQ2vXcy49rcfon6wZk9s6MJOJ/s1600/icon-rounded-big.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCiJtNJu5KnJ5rBmTKsUxDOnT-iHqZ8yKrX5sasdh-AGU873AM_JxiWkChz6JzPm7DwWL48EQwxyI0YwI2B7wdaet8bia1DkfHYEkwDqKz4KXWu27iklmQ2vXcy49rcfon6wZk9s6MJOJ/s1600/icon-rounded-big.png" /></a></div>
A version of the pictorial vocabulary guide for learning English is now available as a free <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/language-guide-english/id986788152?ls=1&mt=8">IOS</a> and <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.languageguide.english">Android app</a>. The app includes a 'game' which will soon be integrated into <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/">languageguide.org</a> and the interface has been revamped to be mobile friendly. More languages will be available as apps in the months to come.Tom Blackmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06429217661946384307noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566945694801274481.post-79964544897098757032013-12-10T18:34:00.000-08:002013-12-11T06:25:32.441-08:00Hungarian guideThe Pictorial <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/hungarian/vocabulary/">Hungarian vocabulary guide</a> is now available. Hungarian is a very unique language and according to linguists isn't related to any other European language. You certainly get that idea when you hear it spoken.<br />
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I had the pleasure of recording two Hungarian volunteers in Austin, Texas. Beata and Levi Peto here pictured with their pets Pupák (buddy in Hungarian) and Tök (pumpkin). Please visit the <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/hungarian/vocabulary/vegetables/">Hungarian vegetables</a> page to hear the proper pronunciation of Tök and learn other veggies.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYG-tW_iR2B_SkDOwZa5kwTm2aZ6XG6_WtqaETLglXJr54Ic6ajdyY6Gui8rgUn4d8q_o0lsBSUiOAiI5oTIfViei0KfPs9dz9CKk7hhQwUhEBEEYKAXJNZjbVZsY5GLwu_VpzV0Z5mzL/s1600/levi_beata.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYG-tW_iR2B_SkDOwZa5kwTm2aZ6XG6_WtqaETLglXJr54Ic6ajdyY6Gui8rgUn4d8q_o0lsBSUiOAiI5oTIfViei0KfPs9dz9CKk7hhQwUhEBEEYKAXJNZjbVZsY5GLwu_VpzV0Z5mzL/s400/levi_beata.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Beata first came to the USA to meet </span>Cesar Millan, the "Dog Whisperer"<span style="text-align: start;">. She was invited to his dog dog psychology center where she ended up helping train two of </span>Cesar's dogs: Blizzard & Junior. While Cesar's specialty is making dogs psychologically normal, Beata teaches them advanced tricks and behaviors. During her stay in Los Angeles she met her husband Levi who had come years earlier as an aspiring Rock musician.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN4QjrWdwIJWBnKzG75aIE2YyeKxMQ05MM946v73HIA3lqZnjLmI1taQNo-g_nGQT-XRdKHkdCy4Mcks6heAC0IXajqOslGBHdJFAAHv0SYb3e4qLcc47MrhjcBD9nj-qU9E1YQLucQuYD/s1600/hungarian_cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN4QjrWdwIJWBnKzG75aIE2YyeKxMQ05MM946v73HIA3lqZnjLmI1taQNo-g_nGQT-XRdKHkdCy4Mcks6heAC0IXajqOslGBHdJFAAHv0SYb3e4qLcc47MrhjcBD9nj-qU9E1YQLucQuYD/s320/hungarian_cookies.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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During the recording I got the opportunity to try Mézes Puszedli, hungarian ginger cookies. Yum!</div>
Tom Blackmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06429217661946384307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566945694801274481.post-85799501589298932152012-07-15T12:55:00.000-07:002012-07-15T13:50:32.651-07:00Dutch GuideThe <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/dutch/vocabulary/">Dutch guide</a> has been published. Translated by volunteers, the voices are all of volunteers as well. <br />
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Anne-Marie Ozaki is a teacher at <a href="http://www.ntchouston.org/">NTC Houston.</a> NTC Houston stands for “Nederlandse Taal en Cultuur Houston” or Dutch Language and Culture Houston. You can hear her voice on <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/dutch/vocabulary/body/">Het Lichaam (The Body)</a>, <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/dutch/vocabulary/body2/">Het Lichaam II (The Body II)</a>, <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/dutch/vocabulary/men-clothing/">Herenkleding (Men's Clothing)</a>, <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/dutch/vocabulary/vegetables/">Groenten (Vegetables)</a>, <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/dutch/vocabulary/farm-animals/">Boerderijdieren (Farm Animals)</a>, and <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/dutch/vocabulary/colors/">Kleuren (Colors)</a> Her voice was recorded by her husband, Michio Ozaki, in their home recording studio. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2p2S0O9QS3WvjijTEvxiDfhfBET9OLs4nbTGM5iTbOO030kid8g8ZJLUkLIQ36ELtcMSeDzurRdBGCVP8IF1VXb32yzU81gYmSHJbzvjboaRPuXi3qrIPd0umNG0vpTMTq29ZP5Ts0jx/s1600/DSC_0135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2p2S0O9QS3WvjijTEvxiDfhfBET9OLs4nbTGM5iTbOO030kid8g8ZJLUkLIQ36ELtcMSeDzurRdBGCVP8IF1VXb32yzU81gYmSHJbzvjboaRPuXi3qrIPd0umNG0vpTMTq29ZP5Ts0jx/s320/DSC_0135.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anne-Marie Ozaki and Michio Ozaki</td></tr>
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You can hear the voice of Cees van der Linden on <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/dutch/numbers/">Getallen (Numbers),</a> <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/dutch/vocabulary/face/">Het Gezicht (The Face)</a>, <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/dutch/vocabulary/fruit/">Fruit (Fruit)</a>, <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/dutch/vocabulary/pets/">Huisdieren (Pets)</a>, <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/dutch/vocabulary/birds/">Vogels (Birds)</a>, <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/dutch/vocabulary/reptiles-and-amphibians/">Reptielen & Amfibieën (Reptiles & Amphibians)</a>, and <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/dutch/vocabulary/sea-animals/">Zeedieren (Sea Animals)</a>. You can hear the voice of Marion van Dijk on <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/dutch/vocabulary/mammals/">Zoogdieren (Mammals)</a>, <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/dutch/vocabulary/african-animals/">Afrikaanse Dieren (African Animals),</a> and <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/dutch/vocabulary/insects/">Insecten (Insects)</a>.<br />
<br />
Cees van der Linden is a resident of Los Angeles and Marion van Dijk is a resident of the Netherlands. They have a business together, <a href="http://thedutchtranslators.com/">TheDutchTranslators.com</a>, through which they provide translations and voice-overs in Dutch. They used their recording facilities to record the audio. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xklsH48WDQnxpVuGroTroF35bAu-beTkhMPoci0-AvNPogsAZOCfp-WM4vgSBIfgXe0_SeowPMSLmdq_ybwSnMTXz_12Zk1U4hJzckuTLz8VMFO1zjliqZ9_tq8ZT9Qv0epmR8QHKbwT/s1600/Cees+van+der+Linden.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xklsH48WDQnxpVuGroTroF35bAu-beTkhMPoci0-AvNPogsAZOCfp-WM4vgSBIfgXe0_SeowPMSLmdq_ybwSnMTXz_12Zk1U4hJzckuTLz8VMFO1zjliqZ9_tq8ZT9Qv0epmR8QHKbwT/s200/Cees+van+der+Linden.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4KtifkniBaWXkqzVy4tlz-qop5znqazIf1jD_dX3iZWaxGZXcYur8K5IiGcrkkOFvOVYJ2awa0G8pMIrmRThSbgfwpQAlfxDK-1440cHH9sKe5OfdgK3odCNBvHz64rlMUyvvMnvextV/s1600/Logo+644x131.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> Cees van der Linden</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_IXnnkDSCzt7oZXD1GKDJvRIjgrnMurpU69e_-0juGjhdRLTLu0Rav8P51pfwufMWIt1A4ehfRe3_vVQdCJm9i1ofPts86_q8xMyxYTcZsHoJgk4qbXufm8UJaxTRAjJrhTTNZIZk8ZL/s1600/Marion+van+Dijk.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_IXnnkDSCzt7oZXD1GKDJvRIjgrnMurpU69e_-0juGjhdRLTLu0Rav8P51pfwufMWIt1A4ehfRe3_vVQdCJm9i1ofPts86_q8xMyxYTcZsHoJgk4qbXufm8UJaxTRAjJrhTTNZIZk8ZL/s200/Marion+van+Dijk.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marion van Dijk</td></tr>
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<br /></div>Tom Blackmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06429217661946384307noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566945694801274481.post-15811156637589159112011-07-25T12:01:00.000-07:002012-09-20T15:30:17.258-07:00English UK guide<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJMqiQeLOwqFYmBhMlgQQv2Ltd04vHiQ2TOs0FnVjh_-ROpQhMepBrf74KGSdCHAjVOYNgZrLFDL05NpQJ6leiCqgF9IC7Gm60fNV46jMHfPL3hJQaJPcOKegOJZbEpntCRUsZYrAsYYV/s1600/jonny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJMqiQeLOwqFYmBhMlgQQv2Ltd04vHiQ2TOs0FnVjh_-ROpQhMepBrf74KGSdCHAjVOYNgZrLFDL05NpQJ6leiCqgF9IC7Gm60fNV46jMHfPL3hJQaJPcOKegOJZbEpntCRUsZYrAsYYV/s200/jonny.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>The <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/english-uk/vocabulary/">English UK</a> guide has been published. I'm visiting Morelia, Mexico again and had the good fortune of sharing a room at <a href="http://www.hostelallende.com.mx/">Hostal Allende</a> with Jonny Gannon, who recently spent a year studying and teaching in Aguascalientes. When I first arrived at the hostel I heard Jonny speaking to a friend in Spanish and his accent was so good, I asked myself whether he was Mexican. It turns out he has a knack and in turn did an amazing French, Scottish, and then an American accent. When doing the American accent, he pretended to be Steven, a Boston red-sox fan from Massachusetts, and to my American ears it was flawless. Perhaps to make me feel better about my inferior Spanish accent, he acknowledged that it is his forte and that he's less strong in audio comprehension. (My strength is audio comprehension due to my watching <a href="http://www.tvazteca.com/se-busca-un-hombre">telenovelas</a> and <a href="http://plus-belle-la-vie.france3.fr/">series</a>.) <br />
<br />
Jonny studies Modern Languages at the University of South Hampton and speaks fluent French, Spanish, and German. After a demo he volunteered for the project and we recruited Simran Chadha, a friend of his who was staying at the same hostel. We had a a <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/snd/en-gb/digestive_system_recording.m4a">jolly good time recording</a> the <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/anglais-uk/vocabulaire/syst%C3%A8me-digestif/">digestive system</a>.<br /><br />
<strong>Update 9/20/2012</strong>
<p>Johnny now lives in France and is writing a <a href="http://jonnygannon.wordpress.com/">funny blog</a> on his experiences there.</p>Tom Blackmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06429217661946384307noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566945694801274481.post-32343501762856285372011-07-25T12:00:00.000-07:002011-07-27T11:28:38.686-07:00Mandarin Expansion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4H07J2QOmDkfcbo6u0houNxu4HYutaPYpxro6cRKkqHOkZKqen0-mu07WD3094YHcwVEWAR9HgA8I0RCppPZDlYFdTqokuRlggcOyRQ9-zaWobntFA6ajyd5ZerXPDwn18R_XmjJ4OgKk/s1600/julie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4H07J2QOmDkfcbo6u0houNxu4HYutaPYpxro6cRKkqHOkZKqen0-mu07WD3094YHcwVEWAR9HgA8I0RCppPZDlYFdTqokuRlggcOyRQ9-zaWobntFA6ajyd5ZerXPDwn18R_XmjJ4OgKk/s200/julie.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Some new categories have been added to the <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/mandarin/vocabulary/">Mandarin Guide</a> - <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/mandarin/numbers/">数字 (Numbers)</a>, <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/mandarin/vocabulary/face/">面部 (The Face)</a>, <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/mandarin/vocabulary/body2/">身体 2 (The Body II)</a>, and <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/mandarin/vocabulary/farm-animals/">农畜 (Farm Animals)</a>. The voice you hear is that of Julie Zhu, director of director of the <a href="http://www.laccc.net/">Los Angeles Chinese Cultural Center</a>. Julie is orginally from Beijing but has been a longtime resident of Los Angeles. In addition to teaching at the Los Angeles Chinese Cultural Center she teaches at local high schools. There are some other recordings I made with Julie that I hope to publish soon.Tom Blackmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06429217661946384307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566945694801274481.post-44287458900928768152011-07-22T15:45:00.000-07:002011-07-22T15:47:17.729-07:00About the AdsThe board of directors of Language Guide has decided to run ads on portions of the English and French guides to try to fill a budget hole. If you're using these pages in a school environment, <a href="mailto:languageguide.org@gmail.com">send me an email</a> and I'll send you a link that disables the ads. We weren't able to reach our fundraising goal earlier this year which has required the ads. After the budget hole is filled, there are some ideals we're going to try to encourage donations, and we're gong to pursue other funding sources. Our goal is to fund the project through the <a href="http://www.npr.org/">npr</a>/<a href="http://www.pbs.org/">pbs</a> model - a combination of donations and perhaps underwriters.Tom Blackmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06429217661946384307noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566945694801274481.post-40654658516229237082011-06-30T08:48:00.000-07:002011-07-27T11:32:11.533-07:00Interactivity with SVGIf you're using a browser that supports <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scalable_Vector_Graphics">SVG</a> (<a href="http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/internet-explorer/products/ie/home">IE 9</a>, <a href="http://www.google.com/chrome/intl/en/make/download.html?brand=CHKZ">chrome</a>, firefox, safari), you'll notice new features on the body page (<a href="http://www.languageguide.org/english/vocabulary/body/">English body</a>, <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/french/vocabulary/body/">French body</a>, <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/vocabulary/body/?lang=ru&target=en">Russian body</a>, <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/vocabulary/body/?lang=zh&target=en">Mandarin body</a>, <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/vocabulary/body/?lang=ja&target=en">Japanese body</a>) and face page (<a href="http://www.languageguide.org/english/vocabulary/face/">English face</a>, <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/french/vocabulary/face/">French face</a>, <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/vocabulary/face/?lang=ru&target=en">Russian face</a>, <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/german/vocabulary/face/">German face</a>, <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/italian/vocabulary/face/">Italian face</a>).<br />
<ul><li style="margin-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfVYRLDiPzbzVMzEyef9_CIA_uzoQTT1ysVwX_wIwgIs1M6e_GC10xhkdhFoenlyzUzD6WRW8LnR9RgT3IhcfgrJlKcPGv8X_zLKD5NoTrXbh3G9nIdqpdNP052DRPyq7gaIJ5vgmCNpyT/s1600/outline.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfVYRLDiPzbzVMzEyef9_CIA_uzoQTT1ysVwX_wIwgIs1M6e_GC10xhkdhFoenlyzUzD6WRW8LnR9RgT3IhcfgrJlKcPGv8X_zLKD5NoTrXbh3G9nIdqpdNP052DRPyq7gaIJ5vgmCNpyT/s1600/outline.png" /></a></div>When you place your cursor over a red circle, the portion of the body that is being referred to is outlined. (The effect is most visually appealing in google chrome due to it's great support for SVG filters.) </li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5siu3SzLOH8un10czl1m4k_M5oQVFHbHKOPmbyxYRupuJPwME8-xkPUVKk9TPdzhYtvQhFa_XHu4T6hrxh2xhV9JWfCZxW8eBAYXVJIMP35Rir5rwOHOhw9s__yemdCnLiwP8lCzyUAZ9/s1600/difficulty.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5siu3SzLOH8un10czl1m4k_M5oQVFHbHKOPmbyxYRupuJPwME8-xkPUVKk9TPdzhYtvQhFa_XHu4T6hrxh2xhV9JWfCZxW8eBAYXVJIMP35Rir5rwOHOhw9s__yemdCnLiwP8lCzyUAZ9/s1600/difficulty.png" /></a></div>You can choose the level of difficulty that you prefer using a drop down menu that's next to the options menu. On the body page if you choose an intermediate difficulty, the red circles that refer to the names of individual fingers, the hamstring and shoulder blade disappear. If you choose the beginning difficulty level, you can focus on words like arm, leg, hand, and head. When doing a quiz, you'll only be quizzed on the words that correspond to your chosen difficulty.</li>
<li>When "speaking quiz" is selected under the options menu, a random object is outlined. Try to say the word for it aloud. A second or so later you'll hear the voice of your teacher either correcting or confirming your guess. The "speaking quiz" is available on the alphabet and number pages as well as the face and body pages. One of the goals of the site is to promote active learning and the speaking quiz is designed to force you to be active. Voice recognition is being built into browsers like google chrome and eventually I'd like to set up the speaking quiz so that it waits for you to speak before the teacher's voice chimes in, and to even check and see if you said the correct word.</li>
</ul><br />
Are these features helpful and would you like to see them in other categories?Tom Blackmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06429217661946384307noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566945694801274481.post-35026451824625373822011-06-16T11:19:00.000-07:002011-07-06T08:36:07.216-07:00Spanish of Mexico GuideA portion of the new <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/spanish-mexico/">Spanish of Mexico vocabulary guide</a> is now available. This past winter I travelled to Morelia, Mexico and did most of the recordings there. (Thankfully the <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2010-12-09-drug-war-mexico_N.htm">narco siege</a> was over.)<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8JogxKK8jtOiwuusnSyFDjTiq_h7lnMNoCP7haJ1tMHc2ptb1FQ4u7UnOPU4ur22gw51FaQN3L2vog_AM3LtWKYrJO7FUGn0Kzg6jevGU7L5n8Phutj0O0MQaNGgjSdQGOObEYU4ssLK/s1600/paula.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8JogxKK8jtOiwuusnSyFDjTiq_h7lnMNoCP7haJ1tMHc2ptb1FQ4u7UnOPU4ur22gw51FaQN3L2vog_AM3LtWKYrJO7FUGn0Kzg6jevGU7L5n8Phutj0O0MQaNGgjSdQGOObEYU4ssLK/s200/paula.jpg" width="196" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paula</td></tr>
</tbody></table>One of the voices you hear is that of Paula, a teacher at the <a href="http://www.baden-powell.com/en/index">Baden Powel Institute</a>, a Spanish school in Morelia. You can hear her voice <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/spanish-mexico/vocabulary/vegetables/">h</a><a href="http://www.languageguide.org/spanish-mexico/vocabulary/face/">e</a><a href="http://www.languageguide.org/spanish-mexico/vocabulary/farm-animals/">r</a><a href="http://www.languageguide.org/spanish-mexico/vocabulary/birds/">e</a>.<br />
<br />
You can also hear my good friend Romelia Núñez Juárez <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/spanish-mexico/vocabulary/sewing/">h</a><a href="http://www.languageguide.org/spanish-mexico/vocabulary/sea-animals/">e</a><a href="http://www.languageguide.org/spanish-mexico/vocabulary/kitchen2/">r</a>e. Romy is a doctor that works for la cruz roja. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9MiNb1WoO9_q30Z5hZFR4eDHe3NXtr2tN7_Ru0AH_hM5q52YPXq2vFppR3jtBx8fAAM7CAqDoVBN7GPpXkIUq3XGmzepXWesKlNPU8FFbOUHoAmYrknHfo1gTUTooTb-0ltsuJsAtuuZK/s1600/katia.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9MiNb1WoO9_q30Z5hZFR4eDHe3NXtr2tN7_Ru0AH_hM5q52YPXq2vFppR3jtBx8fAAM7CAqDoVBN7GPpXkIUq3XGmzepXWesKlNPU8FFbOUHoAmYrknHfo1gTUTooTb-0ltsuJsAtuuZK/s200/katia.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Finally there is Kathia Jemal who is originally from Morelia but currently works in an art gallery in San Antonio. You can hear her voice <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/spanish-mexico/vocabulary/body/">h</a><a href="http://www.languageguide.org/spanish-mexico/vocabulary/women-clothing/">e</a><a href="http://www.languageguide.org/spanish-mexico/vocabulary/insects/">r</a><a href="http://www.languageguide.org/spanish-mexico/vocabulary/bathroom2/">e</a>.Tom Blackmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06429217661946384307noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566945694801274481.post-71323159935352493062011-04-22T10:04:00.000-07:002011-04-22T10:18:15.672-07:00New Italian Guide<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5_t6DHtV2y395e5a7tkLxOAYvbkvEKMJTOTcdEF88erFqWsUmQiSTrNfmlCCtFKywinPMO4QNs26THwMtpHSc9erpxHvkjyd6kAzUCxVBviWSHqoHS9mycHyWUN1ccRsRUEVzGXqmroH/s1600/giovanni_smaller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5_t6DHtV2y395e5a7tkLxOAYvbkvEKMJTOTcdEF88erFqWsUmQiSTrNfmlCCtFKywinPMO4QNs26THwMtpHSc9erpxHvkjyd6kAzUCxVBviWSHqoHS9mycHyWUN1ccRsRUEVzGXqmroH/s200/giovanni_smaller.jpg" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Recently a new <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/italian/vocabulary/">Italian vocabulary guide</a> was published. One of the <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/italian/vocabulary/body2/">v</a><a href="http://www.languageguide.org/italian/vocabulary/men-clothing/">o</a><a href="http://www.languageguide.org/italian/vocabulary/vegetables/">i</a><a href="http://www.languageguide.org/italian/vocabulary/farm-animals/">c</a><a href="http://www.languageguide.org/italian/vocabulary/mammals/">e</a><a href="http://www.languageguide.org/italian/vocabulary/sea-animals/">s</a> <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/italian/vocabulary/landscapes/">y</a><a href="http://www.languageguide.org/italian/vocabulary/bathroom/">o</a><a href="http://www.languageguide.org/italian/vocabulary/tools/">u</a> <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/italian/vocabulary/law-and-order/">h</a><a href="http://www.languageguide.org/italian/vocabulary/space/">e</a><a href="http://www.languageguide.org/italian/vocabulary/car/">ar</a> is that of Giovanni, my hostel roommate in Morelia, Mexico. During our discussion of what we do, I gave him a demo of the project and he volunteered!<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>Giovanni is a winemaker and world traveler. When it's harvest time in the southern hemisphere, you'll find him in Chile, Argentina, or Australia. When it's harvest time in the north, you'll find him in a vineyard in California or Europe.</div>Tom Blackmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06429217661946384307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566945694801274481.post-43380005711962250882010-12-11T17:02:00.000-08:002011-03-06T03:33:45.989-08:00New French CategoriesNew complementary vocabulary categories have been added to the French guide. I recorded Fabien, Marie-Hélène Rulence, and Claire Alexandre - three friends and volunteers - during my last days in Paris.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>The new categories are <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/french/vocabulary/weather-continued">le temps - suite</a>, <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/french/vocabulary/school-continued/">l'école - suite</a>, <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/french/vocabulary/school-subjects">l' école - suite & fin</a>, <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/french/vocabulary/electronics-continued/">l'électronique -suite</a>, <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/french/vocabulary/animals/">les animaux</a>, <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/french/vocabulary/farm-animals-continued">les animaux de la ferme - suite</a>, <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/french/vocabulary/pets-continued/">les animaux de compagnie - suite</a>, <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/french/vocabulary/clothing/">les vêtements</a>, <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/french/vocabulary/clothing-continued/">les vêtements - suite</a>, <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/french/vocabulary/money-continued/">l'argent - suite</a>, <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/french/vocabulary/money-accounts">l'argent - suite & fin</a>, <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/french/vocabulary/health/">la santé</a>, <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/french/vocabulary/disease-and-symptoms/">les maladies & les symptômes</a>, <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/french/vocabulary/doctors-and-hospitals/">les médecins et les hôpitaux</a>, and <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/french/vocabulary/mental-health/">la santé mental</a>.</div><div><div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlJ3MQ6-XCIWCFUawCsxMSZu1KHUy_6-HqQiKtar9QXClkob3SS5MxBjM5wlHsnHg5-3sB9W1oDl41jlyuNqjsZ0j5T5JIVLFPVsryiBTuR-KjeQZVSfaUyDwsrqYiygR2qu361U886nb/s1600/marie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlJ3MQ6-XCIWCFUawCsxMSZu1KHUy_6-HqQiKtar9QXClkob3SS5MxBjM5wlHsnHg5-3sB9W1oDl41jlyuNqjsZ0j5T5JIVLFPVsryiBTuR-KjeQZVSfaUyDwsrqYiygR2qu361U886nb/s1600/marie.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Marie-Hélène</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2EnHb87VHDcXbj-ITJSbOuEet_TsRjToXzXuHFkUtgkNTgVhzaMWbFZpsCUe0AFS8MuF1CLD9M0zWfz0tiB-EENLySXtDQ2O9CdnZu2KLYKM9nFXJ6FVyvmB6NFKN7nbbdeQFWTuCxNM/s1600/fabien.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2EnHb87VHDcXbj-ITJSbOuEet_TsRjToXzXuHFkUtgkNTgVhzaMWbFZpsCUe0AFS8MuF1CLD9M0zWfz0tiB-EENLySXtDQ2O9CdnZu2KLYKM9nFXJ6FVyvmB6NFKN7nbbdeQFWTuCxNM/s1600/fabien.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fabien</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
</div></div>Tom Blackmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06429217661946384307noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566945694801274481.post-70736952090750835672010-12-11T08:10:00.000-08:002013-12-16T15:20:30.683-08:00Old Guides still AvailableI'm hoping that the new versions of the pictorial vocabulary guides which are being developed through the <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/eng/add_language.html">wiki</a> can be published early next year. You can find the previous versions of the guides here.<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.languageguide.org/hebrew/"><span dir="rtl">עברית</span> (hebrew)</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.languageguide.org/hindi/">हिन्दी (Hindi)</a></li>
</ul>
Tom Blackmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06429217661946384307noreply@blogger.com164tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566945694801274481.post-65600950944824588402010-11-16T08:31:00.000-08:002010-11-16T08:35:51.460-08:00Add Your LanguageLast week languageguide.org's hard drive crashed. I happened to be traveling in central France and when I returned to my apartment in Paris the router was dead. As a result getting the site up again has been a challenge. I've been working from coffee houses, libraries, and "<a href="http://www.mairie10.paris.fr/mairie10/jsp/site/Portal.jsp">la mairie du 10e</a>". <br />
<br />
Unfortunately, I don't have a backup of the sounds files for most of the languages at my current location. They're on a DVD back in the US. Rather than get those old guides running again, I would prefer that we make a push to get the new versions of those guides translated and published. These new versions are in the mode of the <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/french/">French</a> and English guides with additional enhancements coming soon and you can participate in the creation of these guides on the <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/eng/add_language.html">add your language page</a>. <br />
<br />
P.S. I'm implementing a better backup and recovery strategy to prevent this from occurring again.Tom Blackmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06429217661946384307noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566945694801274481.post-29985105644661453682010-09-09T00:47:00.000-07:002010-09-09T01:04:41.408-07:00In Paris<p>I'm going to be Paris for the next three months. In addition to finishing the recordings for the French pictorial guide, I'm going to be recording a series of interactive readings on French history with a focus on the revolution. Whenever someone asks me why I'm in Paris, in addition to talking about enjoying life in France, I give them this 'carte de visite'.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzu8ITvvVn-WBQvMKYmreMAtqxP-yMVUij1xtTzDXxjog9HPfk1Xsxl2TL3u7VQAjysd4nZ3h8ydQ0d1KkaPztndTROSUaovAmKaJRchvkDpwx4sROoaJZWr8033jiwDT6WXKZ96wZ4UGE/s1600/front_card2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzu8ITvvVn-WBQvMKYmreMAtqxP-yMVUij1xtTzDXxjog9HPfk1Xsxl2TL3u7VQAjysd4nZ3h8ydQ0d1KkaPztndTROSUaovAmKaJRchvkDpwx4sROoaJZWr8033jiwDT6WXKZ96wZ4UGE/s320/front_card2.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZB9hyphenhyphenTIpuGWTbynchjt_GMfDmduw3KwDqKuA58AOXudf_hyphenhyphengBN0ZK5-B9tSv3twU_0KrBBG4yzuF_8-xan_5aPFvCq0f6pgVO7_wrUc2FIeJzE2md012yLmy2Gv9Y_uw_JR9xipBUhDO/s1600/back.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZB9hyphenhyphenTIpuGWTbynchjt_GMfDmduw3KwDqKuA58AOXudf_hyphenhyphengBN0ZK5-B9tSv3twU_0KrBBG4yzuF_8-xan_5aPFvCq0f6pgVO7_wrUc2FIeJzE2md012yLmy2Gv9Y_uw_JR9xipBUhDO/s320/back.png" /></a><br />
</div><p>Later this fall I'll be traveling to Amsterdam, Milan, Barcelona, Madrid, and London. If someone in those cities would like to contribute their voice, I'll have my recording equipment.</p>Tom Blackmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06429217661946384307noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566945694801274481.post-60463178713096740892010-05-31T20:04:00.000-07:002010-08-27T10:14:17.850-07:00A Parisian in Texas<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4aBRtyu2EXDPgIXaiF1XVb4-fpinz26ttp64LWYJGKhNqj1zZhRSlhMqA4BfeNBqGCVTdGZmbLfPOWLya_QaCA8WwpoI_OmuO6KKxxOMRTbsAD-U0aDBf32gunjwerMjZkzwiZH3yA3YQ/s1600/patrick_smaller.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477604932079566306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4aBRtyu2EXDPgIXaiF1XVb4-fpinz26ttp64LWYJGKhNqj1zZhRSlhMqA4BfeNBqGCVTdGZmbLfPOWLya_QaCA8WwpoI_OmuO6KKxxOMRTbsAD-U0aDBf32gunjwerMjZkzwiZH3yA3YQ/s320/patrick_smaller.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 230px; margin: 20pt 10px 0px 0pt; width: 240px;" /></a><br />
This week I recorded Patrick Rech, a volunteer from France. You can hear his voice <a href="http://www.languageguide.org/french/vocabulary/bathroom/">h</a><a href="http://www.languageguide.org/french/vocabulary/digestive-system/">e</a><a href="http://www.languageguide.org/french/vocabulary/landscapes/">r</a><a href="http://www.languageguide.org/french/vocabulary/farm/">e</a>. Patrick is a former Parisian who now lives in the United States. As an American who came close to settling in France, and who has a great appreciation for life in France (the 35 hour work week, long vacations, affordable health-care, shared bicycles, good public transportation, markets in the city square) it was really interesting to talk to someone who chose life in the US. Patrick appreciates the entrepreneurial friendly climate, the can-do attitude, and enjoys the more expansive personal space that the more spread out American cities allow. (Part of this decision to stay might have been influenced by that American women love his french accent) In the end I think that both societies have something to offer.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><div style="background-color: transparent; margin: 0px;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.7608015041332692" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cette semaine, j'ai enregistré Patrick Rech, un bénévole français. Vous pouvez entendre sa voix ici. Patrick est un ancien parisien qui habite maintenant aux États-Unis. En tant qu’Américain qui s'est presque installé en France, et qui a une grande appréciation pour la vie en France (la semaine de travail de 35 heures, les longues vacances, les prix de soins médicales abordables, les vélos partagés, les bons réseaux de transports publics, les marchés au centre ville), c'était vraiment intéressant de parler à quelqu'un qui a choisi la vie aux États-Unis. Patrick apprécie le climat favorable a l’entrepreneuriat, l'attitude dynamique, et aime bien l'espace personnel plus expansif que les villes américaines plus étendues permettent. (Une partie de sa décision de rester pourrait avoir été influencée par le fait que les femmes américaines adorent son accent français.) En fin de compte je pense que les deux sociétés ont quelque chose à offrir.</span></div></span>Tom Blackmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06429217661946384307noreply@blogger.com7