Language Ledger - Newsletter of Indy Translations, LLC	Vol. 04 No. 02 Summer 2004
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You’ve taken the classes. You’ve learned the language. But something still seems to be missing from your learning experience. That’s because the only way to effectively become acquainted with a language is to immerse yourself in the culture of that language’s country. Instructors and students both agree — traveling abroad is an unparalleled experience. By visiting a country that speaks the language you are learning, you are not only given the chance to listen to native speakers on a constant basis, but you also have the opportunity to understand the history and culture of that country more deeply. Not only will this give you a vast amount of knowledge, but it may also help you to better understand some of the ideas you have already learned. Traveling abroad will help to reinforce the concepts you’ve been taught.

For example, someone learning Spanish may know that the literal translation for “the coast is clear” from Spanish to English is “there are no moors on the coast,” but not fully understand the significance of the phrase. However, upon visiting Spain, and learning about the history of the country, that same person may come to realize that “moors” were actually Muslim conquerors who ruled over Spain for many years.

If you do decide to travel abroad, keep in mind, that there are a few things on the “to do” list before you get going. First of all, it’s always a good idea to read up on the places you’re going to visit. A travel agent can provide brochures and tourist information about the countries you plan to visit, and international airlines may supply you with travel brochures on the countries they serve.

It is also helpful to try to learn a few key phrases of the native language if you are not familiar with it. If you’d like to be introduced to a language, or get a little more in-depth with one you already know, consider taking a course at Indy Translations/Indy Foreign Language Academy. With quality coursework and dedicated instructors, we can help you prepare for your overseas adventures!

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The Latino population all around the United States is growing more rapidly than ever before. The number of Americans describing themselves as Hispanic grew by almost 60 percent in the 2000 Census. Therefore, it has become increasingly advantageous for those in the workplace to be able to understand and converse in Spanish. This may sound daunting at first, but Indy Translations and the Indy Foreign Language Academy can help! We offer a variety of courses suited for the business professional.

One such course is Spanish for Law Enforcement. This course is designed for law enforcement officials who wish to learn the basic, everyday phrases and vocabulary necessary to communicate in Spanish with victims, witnesses and those accused of crimes. Topics include reading the Miranda Rights, gathering information from witnesses and diffusing tense situations.

Spanish for Healthcare Workers is also available for doctors, nurses and other medical professionals who seek to learn words and phrases they may need to provide Spanish-speaking patients with quality care. Topics include the human body, describing pain and different types of illnesses and treatments.

We also offer Spanish for Firefighters and Emergency Response Personnel. Firefighters and EMTs alike will benefit from this Spanish course, which offers the skills they need to help Spanish-speakers during tense and life-threatening situations. Topics include basic expressions for asking about injuries, treatments and for gathering information.

A General Spanish Course for Business Professionals is another option. For professionals in the business world, this course offers vocabulary and phrases useful for everyday communication with the international community. Topics include accounting, insurance, marketing, international correspondence, and more.

We also offer Spanish for Realtors. During this course, Real Estate agents and brokers learn key words and phrases they need to describe properties and provide information to their Spanish-speaking clients. Types of buildings, parts of a home or building, real estate terminology and financial terms are just a few of the many topics covered in this course.

Last, but not least, we offer the Spanish for Insurance course. Those who work in the field of insurance will certainly benefit from this course, which offers what they need to communicate to the growing Spanish-speaking population. The class covers topics such as selling and explaining benefits, as well as terms associated with health, life, and auto insurance.

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Igbo, considered one of the major African languages, is spoken by approximately 18 million people in Nigeria, especially in the southeastern region once identified as Biafra (referred to as Igboland by the Igbo people). The Igbo alphabet, which is known as Nsibidi, contains 36 letters — eight vowels, nineteen consonants and nine blended sounds. For the Igbo people, learning to speak, read and write Igbo is essential, as they consider their language the most important aspect of heritage on which the survival of their culture largely depends.

Until recently, most of what historians knew about the origins of the Igbo language came from Igbo folktales and oral histories passed on through the generations. The Igbo people, however, insist that nothing of their culture came from anywhere else. This is because the Igbos believe their creator, called Chukwu, put them in Igboland the minute the world was created, thereby stimulating the idea that they could not have migrated from any part of the world.

For them, this explains why there are no other Igbo-speaking people in the world. The belief that gods, goddesses, and ancestors play a large role in a person’s daily life is also common of the Igbo people.

COMMON PHRASES