Language Nerds Do Earth

Have you ever gone to a different country and/or culture for the first time and thought, “man, I really know what I’m doing and totally blend in!”* If so, then you either don’t need to listen to this episode, or you were wrong. There are a lot of things we do and don’t think about … Continue reading Episode 33: Travel Faux Pas to Avoid

This week, we listen to a couple friends who have experienced different cultures as gay individuals — China and the West. We really wanted to know how their experiences differed, and what they thought about it. A million thanks to Garry and Haochen for opening up on some topics that aren’t normal conversation in everyday … Continue reading Episode 32: The Queer Experience Across Cultures

This week we have a little fun looking at idioms from around the world! One of our favorite examples: the Swedish “if there’s room in the heart, there’s room for the butt” meaning, basically, “if we like you, we’ll make room for you.” We explore where idioms come from and how they are related to … Continue reading Episode 31: Idioms

This week we have a little advice about how to make your trip the most interesting, personal one you can — by getting off the beaten path! Although covering the famous sights in a travel destination is awesome too, it can be really fun and adventurous to go see things less-traveled. We have some tips … Continue reading Episode 30: Getting Off the Beaten Path

(Patrice had a little mic trouble for the first third of this episode. Please bear with us until about minute 13, when she mysteriously shifts to much better audio quality) “Saving face” is an idea that is very difficult to grasp for people who don’t grow up around it. It is a collectivist, high-context concept … Continue reading Episode 29: Saving Face

Iceland — is it in North America or Europe? Is it a land, or made of ice? Why doesn’t Björk seem to have a last name? These are all questions. Do we answer them? Maybe. But we definitely talk about the Icelandic language: an anomaly among languages, this baby has been consistent for forever (OK, … Continue reading Episode 28: Icelandic

Have you got the long-term travel bug? Have you been considering acting on it? We put our heads together and talk pros and cons of living and working abroad, and what kind of options you have for making it happen. Whether you’re a digital wizard, in the medical world, or have a passion for farming, … Continue reading Episode 27: Traveling Jobs

This week we take a look at some of the fun festivals around the world that celebrate this beautiful time of year! This is a followup of episode 3, when we talked about spring festivals around the world. Today, we start in Mexico with the Day of the Dead, then travel to Argentina’s wine festival, … Continue reading Episode 26: Fall Festivals

It’s time for some heavy nerding-out, y’all. This week is a continuation of one of our most popular episodes (#16), the Evolution of English, Part 1. In Part 2, we look at Shakespearean English: was it really similar to American English? The answer is a bit less straightforward than the rumor-spreaders would have you believe! … Continue reading Episode 25: The Evolution of English, Part 2

The people you’re with (or not with) when you’re traveling can make or break a trip. This week we talk to Jane, who traveled solo for 4 months around Southeast Asia before linking up with a travel buddy. She tells us about her amazing experience, and shares some advice on going solo! A huge thanks … Continue reading Episode 24: To Travel With or Without Others