KAMMS World Wide

	Boletín de Noticias de la Presidenta de KAMMS Through learning language, we learn about culture. Through learning about culture, we learn respect for others. Through learning respect for others, we can hope for peace.

	Inscribirse a Nuestros Bolentines	April 26 , 2007

Más Bolentines

Junio 2010

“No es al idioma, sino a los que lo hablan a quienes queremos entender.”
Anatole France

Mayo 2010

¡Anímese a Hablar un Poco de Inglés!

Broma Idiomática

Consejos

Don't Be Shy! It is very important to
use your
new found language skills whenever possible.
Unfortunately, some of us are stricken by
"language
ego". It is a term coined by Alexander Guiora
(1981) to
explain that people feel less confident when
communicating in their second language. Don't
worry; most people are thrilled that you are
learning
and using their native language and will do
as much
as possible to help you and make you feel more
comfortable.

The other benefit of not "being shy" is that
the person
with whom you are speaking may also be
"stricken"
with language ego. When you speak a few words in
their native language, they may feel more
comfortable
speaking to you in their second language.

Do you think it's possible that learning another language and gaining respect for others' cultures can promote peace in the world?

It seems like such a grand undertaking-peace in the world. How about we look at it on a smaller scale; do you think that gaining respect and understanding for your neighbor who speaks another language or they are from another culture can promote peace & harmony in your neighborhood?

Do you think if each one of us did this it could contribute to peace in the world?

La Cultura

Cinco de Mayo-Not Independence Day?

So why do we celebrate the fifth of May? Most
people in the US would respond with, "It's
Mexico's Independence Day!" Right? Actually,
that was Sept. 16, 1810 and has nothing to do
with this celebration.

Cinco de Mayo commemorates the victory of the
Mexican militia over the French army at The
Battle Of Puebla (Mexico) in 1862. Mexican
General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin, led a small,
poorly armed militia estimated at 4,500 men
and was able to stop and defeat a well
outfitted French army of 6,500 soldiers,
which stopped the invasion of the country. It
was a glorious victory for Mexican patriots,
and it created a sense of national unity,
which is the reason for this celebration.

The date is mostly celebrated in the town of
Puebla; however it has become a popular
holiday in the US and Mexico primarily
because commercial interests have been
promoting the holiday, with products and
services focused on Mexican food, beverages
and festivities.

¡Felíz Cinco de Mayo!

Voz de Nuestros Amigos y Clientes

Each month we will highlight a question or
comment
from our friends & customers. Please contact
us if you
would like to ask or respond to a question or
would
like to make your "voice" heard.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Nancy Roebke: Wisconsin

I appreciated the personal conversation that
we had
over the miles. I am in Wisconsin and I take
it that you
are in New Jersey. I have some native Spanish-
speaking friends, but I am always on the
look-out
for "intercambios" and creating new
opportunities for
people to get together. I started turning
more and
more to technology to help me so that I am more
proficient as I seek out ways to have native
English
and Spanish speakers interact meaningfully in
our
community.

Take care and let me know if your new contact
in WI
can help with anything, even volunteer for
it. That's
something-volunteerism and leadership in our
community for the average person--I want to
investigate how to promote volunteerism to help
people learn English and Spanish. Let me
know if
you have any tips, thanks.

We Want To Hear From You!