Page 36 - UD Magazine Vol. 31 No. 1

100 YEARS OF STUDY ABROAD
LOST IN TRANSLATION
The University of Delaware is the only university in the nation to offer a three language major, meaning undergraduates can conjugate verbs, diagram sentences and learn proficiency in not one but three... tres... trois... drei... thalatha... you get the idea... languages. Fluency has been a priority at the University ever since that first study abroad trip
100 years ago, which included an intensive French curriculum.
So, why does the institution
place so much value on the pursuit? Research shows understanding
a foreign language increases marketability—between 2016 and 2021, the number of U.S. job postings targeting bilingual applicants tripled. But beyond professional success, acquiring this skill has world- changing potential. “It establishes a common humanity,” says Persephone Braham, professor of Spanish as
well as Latin American and Iberian studies. “A lot of the xenophobia in this country is coming from a place of fear. But once you can defend yourself in a foreign language—have an argument, get around, negotiate or bargain—you become less afraid. And that is key to functioning as a U.S. citizen in a changing world.”
To help kickstart your own foreign language journey, Blue Hen experts have provided their favorite, most colorful idioms from around the globe. Because when it comes to speaking in a foreign tongue, the last thing you want is estar pez (to be a fish who knows nothing).
POSER UN LAPIN
From French Prof. Ali Alalou Translation: Put a rabbit to someone Meaning: To stand someone up Example: Chaque fois qu’on se donne rendez-vous au Stone Balloon, Marie me pose encore un lapin; Every time we agree to meet up at the Stone Balloon, Marie puts me a rabbit again.
IN BOCCA AL LUPO
From Italian Prof. Laura Salsini Translation: In the mouth of the wolf Meaning: Said to people needing a bit of luck.
(Reply with crepi lupo: “May the wolf die.”) Example: La professoressa dice sempre ‘in bocca al lupo’
agli studenti prima di un esame; The professor always wishes her students ‘in the mouth of the wolf’ before an exam.
34 University of Delaware Magazine
I’VE BEEN FLAT
OUT LIKE A
LIZARD DRINKING
From Aussie Prof. Rachael Hutchinson: Translation: I’ve been flat out like a lizard drinking Meaning: To be exceptionally busy Example: Between studying for my biomedical engineering final and prepping for my study abroad trip Down Under, I’ve been flat out like a lizard drinking!
DIE BELEIDIGTE
LEBERWURST SPIELEN
From German Prof. Iris Katharina Busch Translation: To play the offended liver sausage Meaning: To be unnecessarily offended Example: Ich wollte meinem Mitbewohner beibringen, dass er sein Stinktier nicht mit in unser Wohnheim bringen kann, aber er hat die beleidigte Leberwurst gespielt!; I tried explaining
to my roommate that he couldn’t bring his pet skunk into our dorm, but he played the offended liver sausage!
JIǓ NIÚ YÌ MÁO
From Chinese professor Jianguo Chen: duì niú tán qín Translation: Play the harp to a cow
Meaning: To explain something complicated to a simpleton Example: Jié ruì mí shì tú jiě shì yǒng měng lán jī měi shì zú qiú duì zuì hòu yī cì hù qiú huí chuán de zhòng yào xìng. Dàn shì duì fāng yī liǎn máng rán shén sè de biǎo qíng gào sù tā tā de nǔ lì wán quán tú láo wú yì, chún cuì shì duì niú tán qín; Jeremy tried to explain the significance of the Fightin’ Blue Hens last punt return, but a blank stare let him know he was playing the harp to a cow.