11/05/2009 by stefi.

Ciao a tutti!

 I am writing to you today introducing a new, vibrant school of Italian language in Italy run by enthusiastic, experienced and qualified Italian mother tongue teachers. The school is situated in one of the most beautiful areas of Italy, the famous ‘Cinque Terre’, so loved by Italians and tourists! Why not taking advantage of your holidays to learn or improve your Italian? And… watch out! You may even meet me there….. Stefania

Here are the main features of this school:

Small group, full-immersion courses for each level (25 hours per week,  from Monday to Friday)- Various afternoon, evening, weekend activities (excursions, Italian cinema,    cooking lessons, local handicrafts). Additional individual lessons are available upon request. The school is in Framura—an enchanting little town, sloping downward toward the sea, just a few minutes from “Cinque Terre”  Price: 200 euro per week + 50 euro registration fee;  Why should you choose this school? For the high quality of service; for the attention paid to students’ requiremenets; for the total assistance rendered during the entire stay; for the wide variety of offerings, tailored to every type of client; for the beauty of a town not yet influenced by modernity and industralisation; for the homely, friendly and cosy atmosphere…and much more!

For further information, please contact:  SEMA
Italian Language Centre
Loc. Setta - 19014
Framura (SP)
Italy

e-mail: italiancentreframura@yahoo.it
www.comune.framura.sp.it
www.framuraterramare.it

tel. 0039 - 349 - 3184647 (evening)

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27/03/2009 by stefi.

Dear All,

Welcome back to our blog. As you know, I am fascinated by words, how they sound, what they mean, in all languages. My mother tongue is Italian, and often can recognise sounds and words in languages are not familiar when they come from Latin or Greek, or I can try to read them out when I recognise letter and sounds. I just try, and sometimes I am triked by false friends….

I am so fascinated by languages which do not use the Latin alphabet, as the characters are completely unknown to me. I just wished I could know more about them! It’s so interesting to see a page of Chinese or Arabic, for example, and not being able to recognise one single word. It is at the same time fascinating and gives me a great sense of ignorance. This is why I have decided to offer English into Arabic as a language combination to our clients. I do hope - one day - to learn some key phrases of it. We have a great team of translators, and I value their professionalism and help. One of my colleagues has provided me with a list of Arabic proverbs. You know from the blogs how much I love proverbs and idioms. Here is the list: guys, out there, can you add some more to our list?

(with great thanks to Muhammad Abdulraouf Wafa for his great research)

Arabic Proverbs Translation into English
من شبّ على شيء شاب عليه Always has been, always will be

وفسّر الماء بعد الجهد بالماء
After great effort, to define that water is water
الطيور على أشكالها تقع Birds of feather flock together
الأقربون أولى بالمعروف Charity begins at home
لا تلقوا بأيديكم إلى التهلكة Do not throw yourselves into destruction

(from the Holy Quran)
إذا تخاصم اللصان ظهر المسروق When two thieves differ, the stolen thing will be discovered.
إذا سلمت من الأسد فلا تطمع في صيده
If you managed to escape from the lion, do not try to hunt it.
من اغتاب الناس لديك، اغتابك لدي الناس Who chats to you, will chat about you
إذا قصرت يدك عن المكافأة فليصل لسانك بالشكر
If you have no money to reward people with, then say to them thank you.
إذا كان الكلام من فضة فالسكوت من ذهب If talking is made of silver, silence is made of gold
إذا كنت في كل الأمور معاتبا صديقك لم تلق الذي لا تعاتبه
If you blame your friend for every thing he does, then who will be your friend.
أرسل حكيما ولا توصه
Send a wise man as a messenger and no need to give him instructions
اطلبوا العلم من المهد إلى اللحد
Learn from cradle to grave
الأفعال أبلغ من الأقوال Actions speak louder than words
أقلل طعامك تجد منامك Eat less and sleep more
أكبر منك بيوم يعرف عنك بسنة
Those who are one day older than you, know one year more than you
أملك الناس لنفسه من كتم سره The most powerful man is the one who keeps his secret
إن السفينة لا تجري على اليابس
Ships do not sail on dry lands
إن كبر ابنك آخيه When your son gets older, then treat him as a brother not a son
. إن من البيان لسحرا Some rhetoric has the power of magic
أنا الغريق فما خوفي من البلل Why should I fear to get wet when I’m drowning in water?
‘ ادفع بالتي هي أحسن فإذا الذي بينك وبينه عداوة كأنه ولي حميم Repel the evil with one which is better (then verily he, between whom and you there was enmity, will become as though he was a close friend

(the Holy Quran)
تعدو الذئاب على من لا كلاب له Wolves attack people who do not have dogs
الجار قبل الدار
Choose your neighbor before you choose your home.
هل جزاء الإحسان إلا الإحسان ‘Is there any reward for good other than good?
(the Holy Quran)
الحب أعمى
Love makes lovers blind
السكوت علامة الرضا Silence is a gesture of consent
الشكوى سلاح الضعفاء Complaint is the only weapon the weak ever use.
طمع إبليس في الجنة
Even Lucifer dreams to enter paradise!
العتاب خير من الحقد to blame is better than to harbor grudge
عثرة القدم أسلم من عثرة اللسان The slip of a tongue is worse than the slip of the foot
عدو عاقل خير من صديق جاهل
A wise enemy is better than a foolish friend
عصفور في اليد خير من عشرة على الشجرة
A bird in one’s hand worth two in a bush
علم بلا عمل كشجر بلا ثمر
Knowledge without actions is like a tree without fruits.
النفس بالنفس والأنف بالأنف والسن بالسن Life for life, eye for eye, nose for nose, ear for ear, tooth for tooth
(the Holy Quran)
فاقد الشيء لا يعطيه How can one give what he does not own?
فلان قد ركب الفيل وقال لا تبصروني
If you want to hide from the people do not ride an elephant
قليل في الجيب خير من كثير في الغيب Little money in the pocket is better than much in the foreseen.
كطالب الصيد في عرين الأسد Do not hunt in a lion’s dean
كل ما تشتهي والبس ما يشتهي الناس
Eat what you want but get dressed in what the people want
كلب جَوَّالٌ خير من أسد رابض
A live dog is better than a dead lion
كما تزرع تحصد
You shall harvest what you have planted
لا تؤجل عمل اليوم إلى الغد What you can do now, do it now
من جعل نفسه عظما أكلته الكلاب Those who make themselves as bones will be eaten by dogs
من جهل قدر نفسه كان بقدر غيره أجهل
How can you know others while you do not know yourself
من يخشى البلل لا يصطاد السمك Those who fear to get wet, should not go for fishing
من يزرع الشوك لا يجني به العنب
If you plant thorns, do not expect to harvest grapes.
الوَحْدَةُ خير من جليس السوء Loneliness is better than sitting with a bad companion.
يخاف من خياله A coward man fears his shadow
اجتنب مصاحبة الكذاب فإن اضطررت إليه فلا تُصَدِّقْهُ
• Avoid the company of a liar. And if you can’t avoid him, don’t believe him.

حذر عدوك مرة وصديقك ألف مرة فإن انقلب الصديق فهو أعلم بالمضرة Be careful of your enemy once and of your friend a thousand times, for a double crossing friend knows more evil. (or knows more about what harms you)

عَدَم الجَوَاب جَوَاب No answer is an answer
ضَرَب عَصْفُورِين بِحَجَر To kill two birds with one stone

رِحْلِة الأَلْف مِيل تَبْدَأ بِخَطْوَة
From small beginnings come great things
مَنْ تُصادِقْهُ بِـالهَدايا يَبيعُكَ بِـالهَدايا

A friend that you buy with presents will be bought from you.
مُعْظَمُ النّـارِ مِنْ مُسْتَصْغَرِ الشَّرَرِ
A little neglect may breed great mischief
أَحْسِنْ إِلى النّاسِ تَسْتَعْبِدْ قُلوبَهُمْ
Do good to people in order to enslave their hearts.
شَجَرَةٌ جَرْداءٌ خَيْرٌ مِنَ العَراءِ
A bad bush is better than an open field
يزيد الطين بلة Add fuel to the fire
خاطب الناس على قدر عقولهم Address people in the language they can understand
لافرق بين رجل حكيم وأحمق عندما يقعون في الحب There is no difference between a wise man and a fool when they fall in love
الغريق يتعلق بحبال الهواء A drowning man will catch at a straw

References:

http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/Charity+begins+at+home

http://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%85_%D9%88%D8%A3%D9%85%D8%AB%D8%A7%D9%84_%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A9

http://simple.wikiquote.org/wiki/Arabic_proverbs

http://www.egyptianarabic.com/proverbs.htm

http://www.phrasebase.com/archive2/arabic/arabic-proverbs.htm

http://majdah.maktoob.com/vb/majdah18747/l

http://vb.7cc.com/t101831.html

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14/03/2009 by stefi.

Hello,

it has been an exciting week at WLS. We have launched the new multilingual website. Just visit www.translate-it.org to see how many little flags on the homepage! Select the flag you wish to read the text in the language of that specific country. For me, it’s a good practice to have quick answers for my kids’ homework….”mum, what are the colours of the German flag?” - asked the other day Desperate-to-finish-her-homework daughter. Luckily, I had our homepage on the screen, and I could answer in 2 nanoseconds. Saved!!!!!

The website was translated by our associates, and I take the opportunity to thank all who contributed to its development, with their suggestions and improvements. The design is - as usual - a fantastic brainchild of mediandmore. Thanks, guys!

And now….I look forward to receive your news! If you want to see other languages, or if you are a language student who would like to earn some money and translate the text into another language (taking advantage of our training team!), give me a shout!

Stefania

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15/09/2008 by stefi.

Ciao a tutti!
If you follow my blog, you know that I am fascinated about Poland and Polish culture and I am learning Polish.
Today, I would like to introduce to you www.anglisci.pl

www.anglisci.pl is a new portal that has been created in order to help both student of English and English teachers in Poland. Editors and contributors are developing all the time writing about new, interesting topics, connected with English language learning and teaching.
As the European Day of Languages is approaching, editor-in-chief Gabriela Oberda asked me to share my ideas and experience with Polish teachers. I was honoured to contribute with our experience, and an article was written especially for the portal and its important initiative. You can view the article at http://www.anglisci.pl/europejski-dzien-jezykow-obcych/the-european-day-of-languages.-a-great-opportunity-to-raise-language-and-cultural-diversity-awarene.html.

There are some important features, which makes this portal special and different from others Polish portals concerning English language:
- it was created for students to find all necessary materials
- it was created for teachers to show them new methods and ideas
- it is to show how English language is taught in other countries, that teachers have the same problems
- to make all people aware that languages are important

Have a look, and post your views!

Czesc

Stefania

Posted in Languages for Holidays, Evoluzione di WLS, Corsi di lingua, Experience, Uncategorised | 4 Comments »

12/09/2008 by stefi.

Set aside Friday, 21 November 2008 and spend it with like-minded women at beautiful Escot House iin Devon for a day of pampering, pleasure, learning and fun.

 Learn more about ways of taking care of your health, your appearance and your stress levels by talking to experts, booking into two therapy sessions and participating in one of three mini-workshops. A vibrant and funky salsa exercise class with Latin DX is also on offer as well as a little bit of retail therapy!

Therapies include Chinese foot massage, facial rejuvenation, back massage, reflexology and Indian head massage. Experts in nutrition, hypnotherapy, and colour and image will be here to answer your questions and run the workshops.

Give yourself time out to enjoy our Women’s Health & Wellbeing day. Our therapists, speakers, sponsors and exhibitors are women running businesses for other women so give them some support and yourself some pleasure!

With registration between 9.30-10.00 a.m. we aim to keep you intrigued, interested, absorbed, fed, watered and stress free until 4.00 p.m.

For further information, please visit http://www.localwomen4women.co.uk/

Posted in Vacanze, Experience, Uncategorised | No Comments »

18/08/2008 by stefi.

Ciao a tutti!

This week, I received a message from the Entrepreneur Forum asking me to write my story for the campaign If We Can You Can.
www.ifwecanyoucan.co.uk is a website which inspires.

“If you’re already running a business, ‘If we can, you can’ will connect you with people who could help move you to the next level.

If you’re developing a business idea or are about to turn an idea into reality, you’ll find inspiration from others who’ve been there already along with practical guidance.

It’s all about sharing experiences and learning from those around you in a growing online community of like-minded North East entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs who support each other with insight and practical help.”

If we can, you can is all about learning from and inspiring others, and I hope my journey and experiences would help guide other aspiring entrepreneurs, just as others have done for me.

Have a look at my story in www.ifwecanyoucan.co.uk, and if I can help you with anything, I will be pleased to hear from you.

Stefania De Angelis-Williams

Posted in North East News and Events, Evoluzione di WLS, Experience, Uncategorised | No Comments »

13/07/2008 by stefi.

Ciao,

I have been thinking to a new campaign for language awareness, and I would like your comments. Tell me what you think! Stefania

Here it is:

Williams Language Solutions…..
…..Competence in International Communications

100% Recyclable

We translate into another language without leaving anything behind. Words are used at 100% of their potential. Please reuse words - languages disappear every day.

0% Corrosive

Unless used improperly – mind your language. Words can hurts.

100% ORGANIC

Our translators are mainly made out of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen. In other words, mainly water and a bit of fat (some have more fat than others…).

SPREAD THE WORDS:
REUSE, RECYCLE, READ.

Posted in North East News and Events, Evoluzione di WLS, Uncategorised | No Comments »

06/07/2008 by stefi.

The European Day of Languages (EDL) is celebrated every year on the 26th September. We support this inititative since 2004, and we have submitted an event-competition this year on the official website http://www.ecml.at/edl/default.asp.
We report here the details of the event:

DETAILS OF COMPETITION:
We invite all creative language learners to design a poster and a slogan to celebrate the European Day of Languages 2008.
The picture should attract people to learn a new language.
The slogan on the picture should be a pun, a game on words. The slogan combined with the picture should have a catching effect on the audience. All languages are accepted (English translation and explanations required if the entry is in another language).
The entries will be judged by a panel of linguists and the winning poster will appear on our newsletter and used to launch our online language school in Spring 2009.

The winner will receive a free copy of our guide to intercultural dialogue “How to Speak Culturese” (available for sale from our bookstore www.translate-it.org/english/promo.html).

Note: originals will not be returned. Paper and electronic copies are accepted. Name and details of the winner will be disclosed in the newsletter and in any marketing material, unless otherwise requested. Participants should agree to transfer all rights to Williams Language Solutions for any marketing/advertising purposes.

Please send all material to Williams Language Solutions (Ref.: EDL 2008) and send it to the following address:
By Post:
Williams Language Solutions (Ref.: EDL 2008)
22a Woolsington Gardens
Woolsington
Newcastle upon Tyne NE13 8AR
United Kingdom

By email at info@translate-it.org (Ref.: EDL 2008)

Posted in Languages for Holidays, North East News and Events, Evoluzione di WLS, Language Courses, Experience, Uncategorised | No Comments »

16/05/2008 by stefi.

Ciao a tutti!

Last night I attended the North East Digital Awards ceremony at Hyena Cafe in Newcastle (btw, nice place). If you follow the blog, you may know that Williams Language Solutions was shortlisted in the Best Online Learning category. Events like these are fantastic opportunities to meet great people, and I am very lucky indeed to sit at a great table, always. Must be instinct.
At the door, I met James and Jane from n-e-life. I was looking forward to meet James, he kept us updated on the awards with inspiring newsletter, with great tips on marketing (I learnt so much via the NE Digital awards! But I will tell about this another day, now I have more important news!!!!). James is very kind and I was pleased to meet him. At the bar, here is Pascal Fintoni, the head of the e-business. If you need to know something about e-marketing, e-whatever in the North East England, Pascal is certainly “the man”.
Then I found a place; “Good evening, my name is Stefania Williams”. The guy opposite me asked me if I was there for an award “Yes, I said” and pointed out my name on the brochure. It turned out that he was competing in the same category…he left and went on another table…nothing personal, I hope. Too much perfume, maybe???
Anyway, let’s do some networking….the girl on my right is an English teacher and copywriter. We exchanged contacts and spoke most of the evening. I am sure we can work together soon, I was just looking for a good English editore for an article I am writing for a US global magazine, CSN.
On my left, a fantastic lady: a speech therapist. I am fascinated about this job, of course, I love languages and words. I asked her so many questions about her job, we got on very well, I hope to see her again (her husband was on for an award as well, and won!! Congratulations, Robert!).
And then, I heard “And the Best Online Learning category, the winner is WIlliams Language SOlutions!” I heard it, I saw it, but could not put 2 and 2 together. Mrs Lavender said “Hey, it’s you” Was it me? Really? Went on the stage, it was a great moment. After all these efforts, all the hard work! The recognition.
Thank you everyone who voted for us, thanks to the organisation. I will make you proud.
What now???
Well, we will keep going. We will continue our online services, we will make more of the Translation Academy, we have plans for an online course for translation. We will also invest in our Translations resources with some special offers on Marketing translations - a full package on languages for marketing strategies.
Now I am tired….
I want to tell you why I think entering awards - and especially the Digital awards - is a good, positive thing.
More later.. (have you seen the logo 07 winner on the homepage of the website www.translate-it.org?) I keep on looking at it, it’s soooo nice.
Any ideas for the future of online learning, shout! Any ideas on geo-translations? (translations for marketing?) We are here to hear…

Ciao e THANK YOU!!!!!!

Stefania

Posted in North East News and Events, Evoluzione di WLS, Experience, Uncategorised | 3 Comments »

31/03/2008 by stefi.

We would like to hear in our blog views and experience on language and culture when travelling abroad. “I wished I knew….”, for example, that in England windows open towards the outside, and not towards the inside, like in Italy: I would have avoided a bump on my head running outside my friends’ house. “I wished I knew…”, not only culture differencies, but also language phrases, false friends. “I wish I knew” that “phon” (the German word for hardryer in Italy) is not an English word, as I thought…..I could not dry my hair calling a telephone helpline….So many embarassing situations could be avoided by knowing a bit more about foreign languages and other cultures. I cannot wait to hear from you!

The project is featured on the UNESCO International Year of Languages website http://portal.unesco.org/culture/en/ev.php-URL_ID=36630&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

The best stories will be awarded with a copy of our publication “how to speak culturese”, a guide to intercultural dialogue (dos and don’ts when travelling abroad). Prepared by expert consultants and translators, it aims to raise awareness on culture diversities and to show the importance of the knowledge of languages and culture in interpersonal contacts. To do or not to do? Si fa o non si fa? Macht man das oder macht man das nicht? There are no better or worse cultures, just different cultures.

Posted in Evoluzione di WLS, Languages for Holidays, North East News and Events, Vacanze, Language Courses, Translations, Experience, Uncategorised | No Comments »