R.I.P crosslingo at devhub.

Long live crosslingo at posterous

I've found this text editor less than intuitive, and while I consider myself very computer-literate, I like the simplicity of posterous.

So please come say hi at the new home of crosslingo!

Nic

You may have noticed if you've returned to the site in the last couple of weeks that I've not added anything since the end of last month. I am still here. And I do still exist.
I have been completely overwhelmed with work at university and other commitments that I haven't been able to take anything extra on or keep up with other things, like this or my social life.

My final assignment is due next Friday and after that I will hopefully be able to see friends again and hopefully keep up with things like this.

I do have some great posts in mind so make sure you keep returning, or better yet subscribe in Google Reader or befriend me on Twitter @NicCrossLingo

Nic

I'd like to start by wishing everybody a happy World Translator's Day! (oh and if you're in Botswana, happy Independence Day)

In 1991 the International Federation of Translators (FIT) decided that setting aside one day a year would be an appropriate way to recognise the work of translators and to raise their profile. And they settled for September 30th, a day also celebrated as the day of feast for St Jerome, translation (as well as archaeologists; archivists; Bible scholars; librarians; libraries; schoolchildren and students)'s patron saint.

So, have a great World Translator's Day!

And tomorrow you can tell me how you celebrated.

I'm new on Twitter!

My account is NicCrossLingo. I look forward to hearing from you.

Nic

It happens to all of us sometimes. Well surely, I hope it's not just me.

For one reason or another you can't seem to concentrate and get things done. Maybe you're in the middle of writing reports for your students and your brain won't link up. Which one is Baader again? For me that signals that I've hit the wall.

When this happened to me today, I went down to the street for a short walk and got some food. I stayed a while and felt much better for it afterwards. That I left my desk, raised my heart rate, let my eyes relax and got something to raise my blood-sugar surely helped me keep on track. When I came back I felt much more invigorated and ready to continue writing reports.

This is repeated in Mason Hipp's article over on FreelanceFolder 5 easy ...

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I can tell you for sure that working long hours like I have to this week is counter-productive. Now I know you know that already, but it's been proven, which I'll get to soon.

As a returning student and an ESL teacher (as well as an aspiring blogger and endeavouring translator), there is always lots to do. This week I have had my English students hand in essays and do end of term exams. My university course needs my weekly essays as well as weekly translation projects and we have just had a major assignment given out (which I won't be able to think about for a while...) (it's meant to be part-time, right?). Today I spent most of the day marking and writing reports as I knew they have to be handed out tomorrow. Plus I had a two hour study meeting with my uni ...

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I've changed the background colours and I've also adjusted the number of posts that will appear on the front page. This is a temporary change and I'm hoping to gauge your opinion.
I've also adjusted the ads so that they will hopefully be more specifically related to the topics. For now, I'll keep them here.

Future changes may include a new start page and new commenting system. I'm also looking to organise a way for guest posts to work.

What do you think? Do you like the new look? Should I be more radical?

Just a quick one, as it's Saturday night here. But I was reminded today of this Calvin and Hobbes strip I read and wanted to post it. I hope you enjoy. Click on the picture to see the rest.

Calvin and Hobbes is the brainchild of Bill Watterson.

Clusterflock
Nic

Language Geek posted an article back in March about learning multiple languages at once. Josh, the author, is learning German, Russian and French (as well as Dutch and Spanish) and raises the question of what is the best way to learn multiple languages gleichzeitig.

This is an interesting question. I have been learning German as my number one second language, but also beginners Spanish. I've also been thinking about starting to pick up Dutch and or French. I'm taking advanced German on a postgrad course at the University of Auckland so the question is one I can relate to.

He suggests:

I'd still like to study all four, but I've not quite figured out the best way to do it yet. I mentioned staggering the languages in my previous post, but I doubt I'd stick to a strict schedule (Spanish on Mondays, German Tuesdays, whatever ...

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Alice's Ponderous this week put up a fun way of teaching adjectives of description for people. Take a look. It uses the picture to the left, which might give you a clue.
This sounds like a lesson fun for students both young and old. I can also see it as a good way of getting some pictures up on your walls at the start of a term.
Have a look!