The Making of a World Language

The development of the English language began when people from different countries “visited” (or sacked, in the Vikings case) the great Isle of Britain, and when there, influenced the original language of the Englishmen, giving them new words, sometimes just based on the foreign words, other times adopting them.

Another important fact was the creation of terms and phrases, which writers (such as Shakespeare) and scientists stood for, and the makings of several dictionaries.

In addition, the only way for the English to expand their territory, was to go overseas and conquer unknown lands on different continents, because they lived on an isolated island, and in this way spread the reach of the English language.

It is also important to mention that when conquering new lands, the English would often come across things new to them, and then borrow words from the native inhabitants of the land to call them by, thus making the language more familiar to the natives.

Besides all this, during the World Wars, and especially the second one, English became a language used by most of the allied forces to communicate, and in this strengthening its position as a world language.

The Road You Take

This Road of mine was not the straightest path I ever took. It turned and twisted, and brought me to places I have never been before, to views I have never before behold. Over a bridge I went, tiny it was. To the woods, it brought me, and a clearing nearby. It smelled of pinetrees, broken things and a new fall coming. The ground moist, and my steps careful. In the end the Road turned out to lead to nothing and knowing…  

The Art of Parenting

“When you teach your son, you teach your son´s son.”

This quote is from the Talmud, which is a Jewish collection of quotes, and besides the Tanak, is one of the most important Jewish books today.

The main point of this quote is, I think, to underline the importance of raising your child with uttermost care and wisdom. This is very important to be aware of, since children are very adept at learning from their parents, often noticing small things without even realizing it themselves, and then unconsciously beginning to grow the same habits, good or bad, that their parents have. 

Therefore, to all you fresh parents out there, I suggest you all behave well in front of your kids, and remember that you have a responsibility not only for them, but for those who comes after your child as well!  

School Trip

Hi ya´ll!

This past week I have been on an interesting, but also entertaining, trip in the very elongated land I am proud to call my own. The trip began when we drove from school, at Tuesday. From there on we made good time, using E18 as our main driving route. Ooh, I forgot to mention! It was not a completely ordinary trip, it was also a geography excursion. That meant that we also had to pay attention to the landscape that we were passing, and in Norway, the landscape is ALWAYS shifting!

Anyway, one of our first stops was in Hell. Quite literally. There is a place in Norway called Hell, in fact, there are several! The point of this short pause was to visit the great potholes that are located there. For those who don´t know, a pothole is formed by a lot of swirling water, over a great many years. 

Later that day we also went to see another geographical phenomenon, called "Kvitskriuprestinn". Now, I know, it´s difficult to read (and pronounce) but it´s Norwegian guys, so please excuse me. "Kvitskriuprestinn" are a few columns of white rock located up in the mountain-/hillside. They are made when a "large" rock lies on top of softer rock/ground. Acting like an umbrella, the rock prevents the softer stone underneath it from being corroded by the rain. The result are these somewhat unique rock pyramids.

That evening we camped by the river Sjoa. The next day started early, with rafting in Sjoa. I promise you, it was fun! Afterwards, we continued on, and soon we found ourselves in a small town called Lom. Here we visited an exhibition in the Norwegian Mountain Museum. Later we drove up to "Juvashytta" close to "Galdhøpiggen" and went inside an icedrift nearby. Pretty cool I´d say! 

The next day we also went up to "Juvashytta", but this time to make our way to the top of the highest mountain in Norway. It was a long walk, about 3 hours I think. We started by walking from "Juvasshytta" to a glacier, then continued on by crossing the glacier, called "Styggebreen", before we began the climb to the top. And was it worth it? Most definitely! The view from the peak is absolutely amazing and I highly recommend taking the time to go up there! 

This excursion had, I guess, a somewhat funny end to it. You see, I for one, and evidently the rest of the class too actually, had forgotten to use sun cream. Now, we all look like a bunch of tomatoes!