Oh, but I have been so lazy about writing. I open the text editor and close the browser tab before I've even written a word. I think of writing and my heart sinks, because I know that I have very little fuel to dedicate to even the illusion quality. Still, I get a little twitchy if I don't write something in English every once in a while, so here I am.
Things have been pretty much invariably beautiful here. The temperature does yo-yo a bit between pleasantly warm and disappointingly chilly, but it has been sunny and bright pretty much every day for a few weeks. (We did have quite the rainy, windy day yesterday; we went to see Prometheus.) The harbor is once again full of vendors and vetyjä.
One thing that's been taking up a lot of the time and energy that I might otherwise use for blogging is this:
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Yes, it's a book belonging to a series of Swedish detective novels, translated into Finnish for my learning pleasure! I bought it here, where I spotted it, thought it looked funny and creepy, opened it, and realized that I understood quite a lot of what I was able to skim. I dug three euros from the cluttered depths of my purse and purchased it. Should I have started with something easier? Probably. One major issue is that it contains a lot of idiomatic language that is indecipherable to me until I ask a native. Still, I'm asking, scribbling away, and using Wiktionary a lot. It's frustrating, but I'm learning something.
In fact, I think I'll read some of it now.
Edit: I also discovered this little gem at the same store:
Things have been pretty much invariably beautiful here. The temperature does yo-yo a bit between pleasantly warm and disappointingly chilly, but it has been sunny and bright pretty much every day for a few weeks. (We did have quite the rainy, windy day yesterday; we went to see Prometheus.) The harbor is once again full of vendors and vetyjä.
One thing that's been taking up a lot of the time and energy that I might otherwise use for blogging is this:
.jpg)
Yes, it's a book belonging to a series of Swedish detective novels, translated into Finnish for my learning pleasure! I bought it here, where I spotted it, thought it looked funny and creepy, opened it, and realized that I understood quite a lot of what I was able to skim. I dug three euros from the cluttered depths of my purse and purchased it. Should I have started with something easier? Probably. One major issue is that it contains a lot of idiomatic language that is indecipherable to me until I ask a native. Still, I'm asking, scribbling away, and using Wiktionary a lot. It's frustrating, but I'm learning something.
In fact, I think I'll read some of it now.
Edit: I also discovered this little gem at the same store:
I'm so impressed! And here I was, thinking I was doing pretty well reading my children's Finnish picture books to them... :) Seriously, though, all power to you. Apart from the reading passages in my textbook, I haven't yet ventured beyond newspaper and magazine articles. One day.
ReplyDeleteKatriina, the point is that you do read Finnish anyway, so just keep going. :-D I'd recommend these books to you:
DeleteKahden Kodin Välillä by Jacqueline Wilson.
Suomen Taivaan Alla by TaoLin ---> this is the book written by a Chinese woman who moved to Finland to be with her Finnish hubby. :-)))
Amel, thank you so much! These books sound exactly like the kind I'd love to read, and I'll be sure to track them down.
DeleteMeanwhile, I will continue to enjoy:
Puppe ja yllätys lahja
Santtu Supervekara
Maisan kaupunkiloma
Franklin Haluaa Olla Iso
etc. etc. :)
To be honest, though, children's books are a great way to learn, especially as my younger daughter likes to have the same book read to her many, many times!
As I think I've mentioned to Amel before, I find it kind of hard to read children's books. They often have a sort of sing-songy, playful structure that I find oddly difficult. Perhaps I'm just not reading the good ones; I'll have to check those titles out, Katriina. If you've never tried to read an adult book (or a young adult book), you might surprise yourself when you do pick one up. :)
DeleteKatriina, those books are lovely. I remember seeing lots of them when I was doing my training at the library. :-D And you've got to spend quality time with your daughter, as well, so it's all good. :-D
DeleteElena, Kahden Kodin Välillä is a children's book (or teen book perhaps), but it's in prose and I think the subject matter is still suitable for adults. :-)))
TaoLin's interview in Finnish
DeleteGREAT JOB, Elena...pushing yourself to read an adult novel is really something! :-D Keep it up! :-D
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amel. It's really more of a translation exercise than "reading" per se (haha), but it's been good for me. :)
DeleteTranslation exercise is great! :-D I admire your gusto, your will/thirst to learn Finnish. :-)))
DeleteI have the highest respect and admiration for people who learn the Finnish language - I don't think I'd be able to learn it if I hadn't born Finnish ;) Way to go !
ReplyDeleteThank you, Zella. Despite its difficulty, it's quite a cool and interesting language. :)
Delete(Had to delete the previuous comment as my iPad auto-correctedly introduced an awful grammatical error) Anyhow, much respect Elena. I am still centuries away from even reading a kid's book. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteAh, the old auto-incorrect. Thanks, Olli. Believe me, the only real reason I'm even as far as I am is because I have tons and tons of time on my hands. If you were afforded the same luxury, you might well be further along than I am. :)
DeleteI didn´t know they sold Russian Roulette in stores back in the day.
ReplyDeleteYeah, apparently it was a beloved family pastime back in the 70s. Can't say I blame them.
Delete