Before explaining how the terms of code-switching and code-mixing are used, what they mean, let’s have a look at the history of the term of code-switching. Where does the term of code-switching come from? The first one introducing the metaphor of a language switch, i.e. the changing from one language to another during a conversation, […]
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新语言习得的5个阶段 / 5 Stages of additional Language Acquisition
If your child is acquiring Chinese as an additional language, you may find this infographic useful. Thanks to Yu Xun, a young intern at Ute’s International Lounge, and Amanda, owner of Miss Panda, my infographic 5 Stages of Additional Language Acquisition got translated into Chinese. Following an interesting discussion with some clients and members of my […]
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The illusion of sound and its meaning in language acquisition and learning
Sound is the most important medium we use when communicating – unless, of course, we use sign language. Most of us assume that the auditory signal is enough for others to understand us. Some people increase the volume to make sure they are “heard”. Most of my clients are surprised to learn that sound is […]
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Sensible and sensitive – in French and English
Like many people who regularly use more than one language, I have some words I use in an incorrect way because the same – or similar – form of the word has a different meaning in another language I speak. Native speakers would probably not make those mistakes, but I personally consider them as an […]
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How to fill in names in forms in the Netherlands
When filling in forms in the Netherlands, many internationals struggle when confronted with voorletters and tussenvoegsel and wonder what and why they need to fill in these parts of the form. In most forms one is asked to indicate voornaam, voorletters, achternaam, and sometimes there is also a field called tussenvoegsel. Voornaam is the name […]
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