Week 5- Home Language (I-A)
Our Journal – International Mother Language Day Edition
Week 5 – February 28th
Idiom of the Week
Idiom: "Lost in translation"
Meaning: When the meaning of something is misunderstood or unclear due to language differences.
Example: Some jokes don’t work in every language because humor can get lost in translation.
Words of the Week: Pick Your Favorite! (8)
👉 Dialect – A regional or social variety of a language.
Example: People in Spain and Latin America speak Spanish, but each region has its own dialect.
👉 Bilingual – Able to speak two languages fluently.
Example: Being bilingual can open doors to more career opportunities.
👉 Linguistics – The scientific study of language and its structure.
Example: Linguistics helps us understand how languages evolve over time.
👉 Pronunciation – The way a word is spoken.
Example: English learners often struggle with the pronunciation of words like "though" and "through."
👉 Translation – Converting text or speech from one language to another.
Example: The translation of the book helped people around the world read it.
👉 Heritage Language – A language learned at home that is different from the dominant language of society.
Example: She speaks English at school but practices her heritage language, Korean, at home.
👉 Fluency – The ability to speak a language smoothly and accurately.
Example: It takes years of practice to achieve fluency in a second language.
👉 Endangered Language – A language at risk of disappearing as fewer people speak it.
Example: Efforts are being made to preserve endangered languages like Ainu in Japan.
Quote of the Week
"A different language is a different vision of life."
— Federico Fellini
Book of the Week
“The Power of Babel: A Natural History of Language” by John H. McWhorter
📚 Understanding Language Evolution:
This book explores how languages develop, change, and influence each other over time. It’s a fascinating look at the connections between languages and cultures.
✨ Key Takeaway:
Language is always evolving, shaped by history, migration, and culture. Learning new languages broadens our perspective on the world.
Fill in the Blanks – Exercise
Use the words from this week’s list to complete the sentences:
People who grow up speaking two languages are considered ___________.
The ___________ of certain words varies depending on the region.
Some communities are working hard to save their ___________ from disappearing.
Journal of the Week – Try to Write and Bring It to Class!
Theme: The Importance of Language in Culture
Write about a language you have studied or one that is important to your culture. How does language shape identity and connection? Have you ever experienced a moment where language brought you closer to someone from a different background? Be sure to use at least three of the words from this week’s list.
