The Light - An Alumni Publication Fall 2015 | Page 17

Travel & Language EMILY LIEDEL PROGRAM: Switzerland, 1999 OCCUPATION: Author HOME: Portland, OR Emily Liedel is a freelance journalist and translator, and runs The Babel Times, a language and culture learning blog as she quests to learn all of the official UN languages to nearly native fluency by age 35. She recently published Beyond Bilingual, a complete guide to mastering a second, third, or even fourth language. CUBAN DIFFERENCES There’s also some key vocabulary differences. Here’s The opportunity to travel to Cuba is a tempting one, some of the most important ones to know if you’re especially now that it’s becoming increasingly easier. For the many YFU alumni who have lived in a Spanish-speaking visiting Cuba: TEXTBOOK CUBAN country, a visit to Cuba could also be a chance to brush ENGLISH SPANISH SPANISH up on language skills. But traveling Hispanophones beware: Cuban Spanish is not what you are used to. Bus Autobús Guagua Rice and beans Arroz y frijoles Congrí My husband’s step-father is Cuban, and his mother, who is Nicaraguan, admits that she had trouble understanding Food Comida Jama him at the beginning of their relationship. Cubans tend How are you? ¿Cómo estás? ¿Qué bola? to speak faster than other Latin Americans, and they Cake Pastel Queik also often swallow the last syllable of each word. For Friend Amigo Asere someone accustomed to Mexican Spanish, listening to a Cuban can feel like trying to drink from a fire hose. White foreigner Gringo Yuma Adult Study Tours: Cuba 2016 We’re excited to share with our YFU Alum a sneak preview of the new YFU adult study tour to Cuba! Thanks to the glowing feedback from this past summer’s inaugural excursion, we’ll once again offer trips for adults 19+ to Cuba beginning this May. Be amongst some of the first groups of Americans since the restoration of diplomatic ties to experience this unique island culture during one of our 2-week trips. Whether you’re a Spanish language learner, member of a singing group, a recent returnee, or have been involved with YFU for decades, we’re sure to have a Cuba program that suits your interest. Email us to learn more about this unique opportunity for YFU alumni at [email protected] • The Light | 17