Archive for January, 2011

Speak Spanish Software Can Give You a Deeper Appreciation of Spanish Arts and Culture

January 29th, 2011

Did you know that some of the best films, music and literature come from Spanish-speaking countries? Using speak Spanish software to become fluent in Spanish will let you appreciate these works of art in their original language without having to resort to clumsy English translations that may not even be accurate.

One example of a movie that would be best appreciated in Spanish is El Secreto de sus Ojos (The Secret in their Eyes), a film from Argentina that was awarded Best Foreign Language Film at the 2010 Academy Awards. While the subtitle writers have undoubtedly done their best to translate the dialogue accurately, there may be nuances in the original Spanish version that may have escaped them.

Learning to read Spanish with speak Spanish software also allows you to enjoy some of the great works of Spanish literature such as Don Quixote by Miguel Cervantes as well as more recent works such as Cien Años de Soledad (100 Years of Solitude) by Gabriel Garcia Marquez and La Casa de los Espiritus (The House of the Spirits) by Isabel Allende.

Using speak Spanish software to learn Spanish can also give you a deeper appreciation of English, since both languages have many words that are derived from Latin. And in turn, an understanding of the Latin origins of English can make it easier for a Spanish speaker to learn English. If you’re going into a profession such as law or medicine, knowing the Latin roots of Spanish can also help you pick up the specialized terms they use more easily.

And once you’ve mastered Spanish using speak Spanish software, it will actually be easier for you to learn a third or even a fourth language. Once you’ve developed the skills needed to learn a new language, you can apply them again, particularly if the next language you’re learning is also a European language, since these languages have a lot of elements in common.

But above and beyond all of these considerations, learning a new language can be fun and challenging. Speak Spanish software can make the process of learning easier by using interactive activities such as games and puzzles to complement the other learning methods such as vocabulary lessons and conversation practice.

Kiev Cinemas: Art and Culture at Its Best

January 29th, 2011

People in Kiev love to see films and there are a number of cinema halls catering to their needs and requirements. In keeping with the times, some multiplexes and malls with theaters have also been constructed where people come to shop and also watch films. With a lot of reconstruction and renovations, the number of cinema halls in the city of Kiev has gone up. Kiev is a huge city and compared to other cosmopolitan cities of the world, the number of cinema halls is certainly less, but many Kiev cinemas are under construction keeping in mind the enthusiasm of the people of Kiev.

The film industry in Ukraine is a fledgling one, and though many films are made her catering to the taste of the local populace, Kiev cinemas try to exhibit good films produced around the world, either dubbed in Ukrainian or subtitled in the local language. Films made in all genres and catering to the tastes of people of all ages are being shown in Kiev cinemas. Whether it is animation, comedy, action, suspense, thrillers, sci-fi, romances or musicals, you can hope to see them all in the cinema halls in the cit of Kiev.

Butterfly is the most popular cinema hall in Kiev. It is world class in all respects and the seats are very comfortable. The sound and image quality is superb and audiences feel very comfortable with the seating system. It is located in the shopping mall called Mega Market and has three halls, with two having a capacity for 250 people and one with a smaller capacity of 139 people.

Cinema Multiplex, which is situated within the premises of the shopping center Komod has 4 halls with a total seating capacity of 545. Then there is the Cultural Center Cinema which has two halls with 300 and 330 seats respectively. It has other recreational facilities such as internet café, billiards room, bar, and also a beauty parlor.

It was in 2007 that the government made a rule that all films to be shown in Kiev cinemas have to be either dubbed in Ukrainian, or at least have subtitles in the Ukrainian language. This was difficult for many people as they spoke Russian language, so now there are many English films with Russian subtitles being shown in Kiev cinemas. This has come as a relief for such people, as earlier they had to see English films without subtitles.

All over the year, cinema festivals are held at different times thanks to collaborations between various embassies in Kiev and the ministry of culture. This makes available screening of foreign films in the cinema halls of Kiev. For such films, there are separate timings in Kiev cinemas when they are shown without subtitles and when with subtitles or in dubbed versions.

The majority of films shown in cinemas in Kiev are mainstream films. If you are interested in art movies, you need to go to Zhovten cinema which occasionally screens art films from all over the world.

Traveling Abroad & Using the Host Language Can Result in Mutual Appreciation!

January 29th, 2011

I want to begin my article by asking the reader and potential traveler to remember to prepare for the future trip first of all! Before going on vacation abroad, there are important things that need to be taken care of, such as; a passport with a proper visa on it – vaccination certificate – valid insurance policy – and a valid round-trip plane ticket. Those are referred to as your” Travel Documents”.

Then, you must remember to pack up your luggage with everything you’re going to be using on your trip. Underwear, clothes, socks, handkerchiefs etc – plus all your medication needed and without failing, your blood pressure and diabetes medication! It’s also a great idea to have a medical check-up before leaving home.

Let me recommend you do as the “Romans do when in Rome!” Take a ” Phrase Book” with you full of ready-made expressions, such as: Thank you, Please etc.- either in Spanish, French, Italian, German or in any other language you’re going to need during your visit there. And I want to let you know that wherever you go or whenever you open your small phrase book to look up an expression or a word, or a phrase in order to convey an idea, a thought or any other concerns you might have, even ordering a meal, break-fast or a snack, you can rest assured, your host friends will appreciate ” Your small effort” to use their own language to communicate with them.

People will feel that you appreciate and respect their ” Culture ” and other special and typical relevance they have over there. They will notice that you have some ” cultural sensitivity” or awareness and people feel flattered as a general rule. You should notice that they become friendlier to you and more interested in you and your culture.

And in closing, remember to learn a few words, phrases, expressions and sentences of their language, culture. Use their names as pronounced in the host language, taste their favorite foods and if asked, give a favorable comments on their typical cuisine and desserts. Make the best of your trip over there and learn as much as you can. You will reap the benefits for a long time to come and maybe for the rest of your days on this planet too.