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Thanks for reading the Multilingual Books newsletter, your source for foreign language news, information, and product information and specials from Multilingual Books. This is also available as a web page at our website, www.multilingualbooks.com. In this issue:
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Surinamese language Trio demands honesty
Public release from eurekalert.org
The Leiden linguist Eithne Carlin has discovered that the Surinamese indigenous language Trio is particularly accurate with respect to the truth level of statements. Carlin has almost finished a complete written grammar of Trio.
The precision of Trio means that it is difficult to accurately translate Dutch sentences into the Trio language. This results in many misunderstandings between the Trio population and the Surinamese government. Dutch is the official language in Suriname and sometimes Dutch speakers seem to be lying. For example, the Trio language contains a so-called frustrative ending. This ending expresses an expectation which has not been met. For example, a civil servant says in Dutch: "I told you that we are going to build a school but it has now transpired that we do not have any money for this." An interpreter translated this into the Trio language but omitted the frustrative ending to the word told. The sentence then gave the impression that when the civil servant made the promise, he already knew that the school would never materialise.
Trio leaves no room for doubt. Whoever says: "The man has gone to town", must indicate in the form of the verb whether or not he saw the man going to town. If the speaker was not an eyewitness, he also needs to indicate whether he has understood this to be the case or whether he has indirect evidence. In the majority of other languages such precision is only possible by means of long clauses, such as in the jargon of lawyers. The Trio people always speak with a soft almost whispering voice. Raising ones voice is considered highly inappropriate in their culture. In many cases the tone of a conversation is even more important than the content. It is therefore hardly surprising that this also leads to misunderstandings between the Trio people and the Surinamese government.
Trio is spoken by about 2200 people on both sides of the border between Suriname and Brazil. They inhabit several villages in the rainforest. Every morning and evening the villagers communicate intensively with each other via the radio. They also travel a lot between villages over the rivers in dugout canoes with outboard motors. Apart from this their lifestyle is still quite traditional. The Trio population lives from hunting and farming.
See the entire release at: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2002-04/nofs-slt041802.php
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Special! For a limited time, we are offering a special discount on Verbal Advantage to our newsletter readers. See our newsletter specials for information.
July Top Products
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May trivia questions and answers: If you follow this section, you may remember that the dog ate our May contest entries. A request for re-entries went out last month. The question and answers: What are the 10 most spoken languages other than English in the USA?
Spanish or Spanish Creole: 28,101,052 speakers (approximately, as of the 2000 census) May's winner is Michael Lau. Thanks to everyone who entered and congratulations to our winner. June trivia questions and answers: Summer's here - time to hit the beach! What are the languages and English translations of these summer-themed words?
Plage - Beach; French June's winner is Julie C. Santaniello. Thanks to everyone who entered and congratulations to our winner. This month's trivia quiz: If you are going abroad this month, you may find these handy travel phrases useful. Or not. In any case, to enter this month's contest, please provide a language and English translation for the following phrases:
Je ne comprends pas. The answers and the winner will be in our next newsletter. Winner will receive their choice of one Talk Now or World Talk language CD-ROM! No purchase necessary to enter. E-mail your entry to:
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Netlingo
Computer geeks have their own language, or so it might seem. This dictionary of standard and informal computer terminology will be useful to anyone who hasn't been logged in constantly since BITD.
Check it out at http://www.netlingo.com/inframes.cfm.
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Platiquemos Levels 1 and 2 Bundle $99!
Platiquemos Spanish Course For a limited time, get levels 1 and 2 of Platiquemos for the lowest ever price of $99! One week only. Use promo code MB-P99-726 to receive this special. Order today! |
  
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The Big Deal - Save $50 on Your Order Over $299! For a limited time, save $50 on any order totalling $300 or more, including FSI courses, software products, and everything else we offer!
Foreign Service Institute Courses Language Software For a limited time, save $50 on any order totalling $300 or more! Order today to save with our one week only newsletter special! Use promo code MB-B50-726 to receive this special. Not valid in combination with any other promotional offer. |
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FREE Shipping on All Eurotalk Products! Talk Now and World Talk CD-ROM Courses Save with FREE standard shipping (US orders only) on all Eurotalk products for one week only! Use promo code MB-FSET-726 to receive this special. |
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Save $50 on Verbal Advantage!
Verbal Advantage For a limited time, save $50 on Verbal Advantage Complete Edition! Order today to save with our one week only newsletter special! Use promo code MB-V50-726 to receive this special. |
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