#language hacks

[intothestacks]

I've been using a Galician database to find pictures of libraries for my "Libraries Around the World" posts and it really amuses me how much Galician is a mix of Portuguese and Spanish (aka Castilian) smooshed together.

For context, the website I'm using is 100% in Galician, and never have I ever studied Galician in my life, but I'm still able to understand everything perfectly because I know Portuguese and Spanish.

I also love how much Galician uses the letter X. An A+ language if ever there was one. It's delightful.

[kuroashims]

ֆօʍɛ ֆɨʍʟɨֆɦ քɦʀǟֆɛֆ ʏօʊ ʍɨɢɦȶ ʄɨռɖ ʊֆɛʄʊʟ ɨռ ʟɨʄɛ

hello : sul sul! / what's up : bloo bagoo? / how are you : cuh teekaloo? / i'm hungry : oh feebee lay / something in my way : choo waga choo choo! / you've got some nerve : firby nurbs / yes : yeibs / no : neib / oh my god : jamoo / woah this is fun : bum bum! / anyone home : nash na poof? / are you serious right now : ugh...groble! / you! yes you! go away : depwa spanewash depla blah! / excuse-me! get out of the way : blursh! meshaloob blursh! / i don't like you : boobasnot / no bullying : yabihorn! / i'm so bored : uhh shamoo ralla poo / happy birthday : humple borpnah! / this food is delicious : dis wompf es fredesche / thank you : vadish / nothing is impossible if you believe : benzi chibna looble bazebni gweb / cat : minicule / dog : woofum / baby is upset : aw crankus nooboo! / i'm pregnant : baba / i think you're hot : za woka genava / selfie : ongie! / i need a taxi : nicloske ga gloop / see you soon : geelfrob / i love you : por see gab lurv / live laugh love : leeb leefuh lurve / i'm on fire : wabadeebadoo! / goodbye : dag dag

[deadsetobsessions]

Green Lantern hovered in the doorway of the med bay. He’d been summoned, but he had no idea what for.

“You know, spooky, some of us have lives to get back to. Not everyone can exist off of just work and blood or whatever,” Hal poked fun at Batman, who rubbed at his jaw tiredly. Hal blinked, stamping down the guilt that arose at Batsy’s uncharacteristic show of any emotion other than stone cold rationality or exasperation or anger. At least they’ve moved past grunts. That just lends credence to Hal’s theory of Batman being an immortal, like Vandal Savage. Batman could totally pass for a caveman, he’s got the grunts down, for sure.

“Still not a vampire. We found the Ghost King. The one the GIW was trying to hide in their records.”

“Well, shit.” Hal’s expression flattened, remembering the unsanctioned government branch that violated the Meta Rights act to a degree where even Amanda Waller had washed her hands of them. Bats had found evidence that they were experimenting on a child when a “source” had hacked into the base and begged them to find the child. Phantom, the hacker had claimed, who had managed to destroy the portal to the Infinite Realms

Batman had tried to boot the guy out of the system, until the hacker told them Phantom was the King of the Infinite Realms.

That got Constantine terrified, which urged Batman into a full hunting mode to track down the king. Mostly in part because Constantine said something along the lines of, “If the King dies, the Infinite Realms will wage war and decimate us. And considering they’re the realm of the dead, we’d lose so badly, even the demons won’t help us out for our bloody souls.”

Granted, he didn’t have that terrible British accent Hal attached to his voice every time the Green Lantern thought about the sad trench coat wizard, but the point still stood.

“He’s not fully conscious due to… his injuries, but the moments where he was, he reacted best to the color green.”

Hal did not want to know what kind of creepy stalker things Batman did to get that knowledge.

“Oh, great. You called me because I’m green,” he said to Batman as he floated into the med bay. “I can be green. I’m amazing at being green.”

Even with the sarcastic tone, Hal made sure to up his lantern aura, glowing a bright neon green. It wouldn’t do to help start a war if he wasn’t green enough.

Hal looked at the Ghost King, and yeah, he could see why Bats was so off his stoic face game today. Because the Ghost King looked like a teenager, and Bats is a bleeding heart and everyone knows it.

Hal waved away Batman, “Go back to Gotham and drink your true blood or whatever. You look like you’ve seen the sun too much.”

Translation: go home, you look tired.

Batman nodded, in thanks, and left to sleep (probably. Hal has never caught the man doing something so… plebeian). Hal is left playing babysitter. To an inter dimensional being that could- probably more like “would,” considering the live dissection he went through at the hands of humans- destroy their entire planet and/or universe. Another Tuesday for the Justice League.

[vempress]

weird language study tip; look up qna questions and answer them in your target language. extra points for pretending to be a youtuber.

[chainofclovers]

I recently had a realization that with the exception of Severance, pretty much all of the fictional shows I’m currently most obsessed with (Ted Lasso, All Creatures Great and Small, Hacks, The Pitt) are very explicitly and at their core about teaching and mentorship and growth via vocation. Vocation—as opposed to job, career, obligation—is such fertile ground to build a story around because passion is such an integral part of the concept. The passion of a vocation ends up feeding workplace dynamics, friendship dynamics, family dynamics, sexual and romantic dynamics, faith and struggles with faith, the belief system around which a person measures success, character evolution or lack thereof as an industry evolves or as a community changes. (And I could argue that Cobel’s storyline in Severance is the story of a broken student—it’s just a little more tenuous, whereas I’d argue that teaching and mentorship [complicated, positive] are the absolute lifeblood of these other shows.)

I was happy when I had this realization because it ties together all these shows that are super different from each other on paper. I love that the passion of one’s vocation/life work, and the ebb and flow of success—whether that be coaching football or starting a career in PR or training veterinarians or writing comedy with a partner or working in the emergency department of a teaching hospital—bleeds into every type of relationship, every type of storyline.

For a long time, I’ve thought it was interesting that in meta and fan discussions in the related fandoms there’s often an emphasis on reading character relationships as familial. I know some of that is just for fun (fandom? just for fun? what? 😆)…people love to be like “that’s my mom!” about a no-nonsense milf (childless or no) and “he’s literally their dad” about a caring dilf (childless or no). So I in no way want to come off like a killjoy who doesn’t think people “””””should””””” use familial language when talking about characters who aren’t in the same literal family tree. People should pretty much do whatever they want. But I have a theory that at least some of the familial language is coming from places where the real driver, the real passion, is teaching (its own kind of learning process) and not parenting. And my realization about teaching/mentorship being throughlines in these shows kinda tied all of this together for me.

Like, it is really important if you’re an ED resident to have an attending physician who is a great mentor. It would not necessarily be desirable for that attending physician to be parental with you, to see you as a child on some level no matter how old you get. Your attending should view you as a fellow competent adult who has things to learn. Their protectiveness or their tendency to challenge or their concern might be emotional or biased or passionate or career-strengthening or problematic or ideal (or all of the above) without being parental. And imo, it’s more fun to map the dynamics of a show like The Pitt by examining teaching styles and the various ways the mentors and mentees learn from each other, even though I get that for others that same fun is in remapping it onto family.

Being a multi-shipper who can usually imagine romantic possibilities between a lot of different characters makes for a wild experience w/r/t all the familial characterizations too. For example I do understand why someone might find it comforting or pleasurable or just plain fun to imagine Keeley from TL as Ted and Rebecca’s kid, but I personally think mentorship and friendship are the actual roots of those relationships. Which is great, since Keeley canonically ogles Rebecca’s breasts, the two women flirt for three years straight, Ted is fascinated enough by Keeley’s gender presentation and whole vibe that he openly tells Rebecca he’s fantasized about being her, etc.

Of course there are lots of examples within these shows of places where characters finding each other means finding a family. In ACGAS, I’m certain that Tristan’s early loss of his parents is a major element of how complicated his relationship with his brother/professional mentor has become, and why the complexities shift and morph over time even as they find peace with each other. Siegfried and Audrey do resemble father and mother figures for Tristan within the household. But I’m so into interrogating the whole “literal [figurative] mum and dad” thing that in the fic I’m writing, a small part is about exploring how Tristan’s canonical growth that helps him accept Siegfried as his brother results in him realizing that Audrey is like an elder sister. Not a replacement for his mother, or for the elder sister-in-law he lost, but another distinct relationship that suits them.

This is super scattered and all over the place and don’t necessarily have a point. I was just very !!! when I realized, duh, most of the stuff I get into is about the passion of vocation and how that translates to varyingly successful teaching relationships that may have some other flavor of friendship, romance, family, whatever layered on…and how maybe these themes are what ends up landing me in fandoms where people keep turning to the language of nuclear family to explain dynamics that I’m more excited to explain through other relationship types. Found family is a god-tier dynamic but I’m realizing I’m maybe less into using literal familial language to describe it than others, and while I feel very “to each their own” about it I also hope people are aware that your mentor doesn’t or even shouldn’t need to be your dad/mom/parent.

[kaija-rayne-author]

DAV is maximized (made for?) Tank/Warrior players

Curiosity is absolutely one of my fatal flaws. I was sorta feeling shitty about the whole 'you probably just suck at the fighting system in DAV' thing.

Let me preface this with saying that I'm good with rogues. It's my usual playstyle and I almost always do a first run of any RPG as a rogue.

What I'm really not all that good at? Tanks. Pretty much any other class I'm at least suitably competent with. I mean, I can tank, but it's just not something I'm more than acceptably good at. I also have very little experience with them. I think I've tanked in 3 games? Out of the, it must be hundreds, of games I've played? I just don't prefer to tank. I'm a rogue/mage/healer style player. The one who backs up the tank or keeps them on their feet, y'know?

So, because curiosity will likely be the death of me at some point, and despite never wanting to touch it again, I made a warrior character in DAV. I just... had to know if it was me or the game. I suppose I enjoy actually being a good gamer more than I suspected. DAV offended my pride, perhaps. Self-awareness isn't comfortable.

That fighting system, that I had so much trouble with as a rogue (with other rogues and a mage as backup since we don't get our tank companions til later in act one) has, so far, been so fucking easy as a warrior I'm actually thinking of increasing the difficulty level.

DAV is just maximized for warrior players and people who like to bash barrels in, not any other class. Which is just shitty game design.

I suppose I should have seen it before. The rest of the companions you start with are all support characters. Two rogues and a mage. Your first companion you aquire is Bellara, also a rogue. Oops. Mage. Bellara is a mage. I forgor.

I dunno, I'm going to run this character until I get to the spot (when Harding receives her special ability) where I first wanted to rage quit as a rogue. But so far? I haven't died once. I'd gotten creamed numerous times as a rogue character by this spot in the game. I can go toe to fucking toe with a fucking ogre! And only have to heal once!

It's truly ridiculous. I'll test out mage after, if I can find the patience. It's reasonably unlikely that I'll actually decide to finish this run. Unless I do it for writing my fix it fic reasons . But I can kinda see more clearly why some people actually liked it. It's actually almost fun as a tank.

I did also say I'd never touch DAV again too, though, soooooo.

If you turn your brain completely off, don't give a shit about the Lore, and if the story is a back seat sort of thing for you as a gamer, this might actually be somewhat fun. It's not Dragon Age regardless, they screwed the pooch to sell the pups on that one. (I'm a Lore fiend, story and character first player. I legitimately don't give a shit about the fighting in RPGs. It's a back seat thing for me. As long as I can make it work, I'm good.)

SMDH

I said DAV was wickedly unbalanced in my review series, but I didn’t think it was so bad that they... just didn't bother to make it a fun game for rogue players. Despite them getting rid of half of what makes playing a rogue fun (sneaking, hiding in shadows, picking fucking locks, y'know, rogue stuff.) Not sure about mages yet. I do want to try one just out of pissed off, irritated curiosity, though.

Snorts. They made this game for warrior players. And I can't honestly find words to describe how shitty that is. It lacks most of the stuff that makes any RPG an actual RPG. It's maximized for warriors and people who like to destroy barrels. (Why. Why the fucking barrels?) Rogues are nothing but light skirmishers. I'll have to actually play a mage and see, but I've talked to people who said it's easy as a mage, too.

WTAF does BioWare have against rogue players to nerf the class so badly?

I'm honestly floored by how easy this game is as a warrior. I'll even test it out on max difficulty, (which is usually what I play at, max or one down).

But the shittiness of designing a game mostly for tank players can't be ignored. I changed nothing but the class. And I'm not far enough into the game yet for build to matter that much. I think I've gotten roughly 5 skill points to put into my character.

No wonder they denied game keys to honest reviewers.

[abirddogmoment]

Rory pointed a grouse so good this morning, it was so awesome to see the conviction in her point and her steadiness until I moved closer to her and sent her to flush it !!!!!!!

[spacelessbian]

Noone can convince me that Deborah didn't get turnt on by being blackmailed by Ava. Noone.

[glowettee]

✧・゜ how to radiate confidence in social situations (even when you're screaming inside) ゜✧:・゜✧

hey lovelies! ✧

let's be honest - we've all been there. standing in a room full of people, smile plastered on, while our internal monologue is having a complete meltdown. that was literally me last weekend at this networking event where i knew absolutely no one and spent the first 15 minutes hiding in the bathroom (classic me behavior).

but over time i've collected some little tricks that help me appear confident even when my insides are doing gymnastics. thought i'd share in case any of you are fellow social anxiety girlies too!

⋆.ೃ࿔:･ the body language hack ･:࿔ೃ.⋆

our bodies can actually trick our minds into feeling confident. before entering any intimidating social situation, i find a private spot (usually the bathroom, let's be real) and stand in a "power pose" for two minutes. arms on hips, shoulders back, chin up. it feels silly but it genuinely changes my nervous system.

another tiny thing: keep your hands visible, not crossed or hidden in pockets. something about this signals confidence to others and eventually to yourself.

⋆.ೃ࿔:･ prepare your conversation toolkit ･:࿔ೃ.⋆

nothing makes me panic more than awkward silence, so i always have a mental list of conversation starters ready. not just "what do you do?" but questions that actually lead somewhere interesting:

"what's been keeping you busy outside of work lately?"

"have you read/watched anything good recently?"

"what's something you're looking forward to this year?"

the secret is asking questions that you genuinely want to hear answers to. people can sense authentic curiosity, and it takes pressure off you to be "interesting" when you're focused on being interested.

⋆.ೃ࿔:･ the "i belong here" mindset shift ･:࿔ೃ.⋆

this one changed everything for me. i used to walk into rooms thinking "i hope they like me" which immediately put me in a position of seeking approval. now i try to shift to "i wonder if i'll like them."

it's such a subtle change but it puts you in the position of the observer rather than the observed. suddenly you're not auditioning for acceptance - you're just seeing if this person/group is your vibe.

⋆.ೃ࿔:･ embrace the awkward ･:࿔ೃ.⋆

the biggest confidence killer is trying to be perfect. there's actually something magnetic about someone who can laugh at themselves when they trip over a word or spill their drink.

i've started just naming the awkwardness when it happens: "well that came out completely wrong, let me try again!" people actually connect more with your humanity than your perfection.

⋆.ೃ࿔:･ the 5-second reset ･:࿔ೃ.⋆

when i feel myself spiraling into overthinking, i use this tiny reset: i take a deep breath, count to 5, and remind myself that most people are too worried about themselves to be analyzing me.

seriously, the same insecurity that makes you worry about what others think is the exact thing that prevents others from thinking about you as much as you fear!

⋆.ೃ࿔:･ aftercare is essential ･:࿔ೃ.⋆

confidence isn't just about how you act in the moment - it's also about how you treat yourself after. i used to dissect every interaction, cringing at everything i said.

now i have a rule: no social autopsies. instead, i celebrate that i showed up at all. sometimes i'll even buy myself a little treat on the way home as a "well done for being brave" gift.

remember, true confidence isn't the absence of fear - it's just the decision that something else is more important than that fear. and with practice, those screaming-inside moments get quieter and less frequent.

what about you? any confidence hacks that help you in social situations?

xoxo, mindy 🤍

[daryun]

ARSLAN SENKI IS NO LONGER ON NETFLIX

Rude

[intothestacks]

4 Tips on presenting to an ESL audience (from an ESL librarian)

1. Speak slowly, in short sentences, and pronounce each word carefully.

Speaking louder isn’t nearly as helpful as speaking slowly unless you know the ESL person is also hard of hearing.

2. Whenever possible, use written words on a whiteboard or PowerPoint presentation

Written words are often the strongest reference for learners of a new language.

3. Avoid using idioms, as they rarely translate with the same meaning into other languages.

An ESL person will also be less likely to know the meaning of English-specific idioms.

4. Avoid phrasal verbs.

E.g. “look up” or “look out” in which the meaning is idiomatic and has little or no resemblance with that of the principal verb; instead, use one-word equivalents such as “search,” “careful,” etc.

[anniemunchkins]

Marty could never.

[tide-locked]

i am once again reminding people that shutting up and running a quick search for 'meaning of [word you don't recognise]' is free. it will almost certainly give you the information that you need, and as a bonus, it will often prevent you from looking like a walnut-brained asshole.

[leadendeath]

a friendly edit: 1. make sure you have read the whole post before coming to conclusions or spreading this, 2. have read my tag where i say and i quote "im not any kind of authority i'm just some guy and an unintelligent one at that. do NOT listen to me in a serious way". i'm not going to turn off reblogs over my own fear of being misunderstood, but i did not want this post- which is just my pretty meaningless commentary for personal amusement- to gain any traction nor attention. i am a very unimportant bystander in this situation. thanks! ok on to the original post

i had to go to bed during the live event happening but i'm not surprised to see the twitter remains compromised currently. i did see that some chad from our side wrangled the FA url out of the grasp of opps tho

im not sure if this is true/how much involvement they had but it looks like nullbulgegroup did the taking-back (which is not completed yet, site and twitter are still compromised </3) or at least a lot of it

i am seeing a LOT of these from the hacked FA >:3

heheheh schadenfreude

had the tabs open from when i was watching it last night, i love to see a pretty quick fighting back and i gotta admit it's entertaining to watch a hack happen in real time, that's never happened to me before in my long time on the internet

and this is where we're at... hoping for the best now!

don't go to FA, though your information is secure, apparently.

VERY GOOD SUMMARY HERE

[bookstribepost]

Study tips & tricks from my pinterest boards🌷

[slavic-roots-western-mind]

The V for Ü trick

I only recently discovered that you can type in v to get the letter ü when typing in the pinyin for chinese characters.