Google Translator is my best friend.
If I can't remember how to say, "We're eating chicken tonight" in Spanish, I can simply type it into a text box, adjust the settings, and click "Translate." It's wonderful - "Estamos comiendo el pollo esta noche."
Of course, I have to be careful and remember that Google Translator takes words literally; if you type in "the bathroom," it will translate "el cuarto de baño," rather than just "el baño." That's where three years of Spanish and the Merriam-Webster Spanish dictionary comes in handy.
But why the sudden interest in other languages?
Teachers often stress how our world has become connected through the Internet, citing lofty examples such as the global economy, CNN, and other subjects that bore most students. However, I have found an site that is interesting as well as an excellent example of international connections: Youtube.
Youtube? Yes, especially with clips from shows that aren't American, or are music-oriented and can appeal to many people.
Last year, I finally broke down and got a Youtube account because I wanted to comment on some of the videos that I watch in my spare time. It is astonishing how many different languages I see on Youtube: English, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, Italian, German, Swedish, and more. It is amazing to see people all over the world feeling comfortable enough to use their own language when interacting with the videos.
Youtube also has a feature where you can send each other messages; In fact, I have a German "pen-pal" who practices her English when she writes to me. We've had interesting cultural conversations, such as the differences between St. Nicholas and Santa Claus.
Of course, there are also drawbacks; some people are jerks, write stupid comments, and get into dumb arguments that have nothing to do with the video. For instance, a person said on a Glenn Miller song that she would love to live in the 40's, then another person jumped all over her for being "racist." Another example is when people start calling each other names that are worthy of a PG-13 rating.
But, on the whole, Youtube is an excellent example of people interacting around the world and connecting with each other because of a common interests. With the help of Google Translator, of course.
¡Adiós!
