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Dutch New York!
I am reading about old New York and trying to figure out Dutch pronunciation.
I have an unread book on my shelves, Russell Shorto’s The Island at the Center of the World, published in 2004. The book’s subtitle is “The Epic Story of Dutch Manhattan & the Forgotten Colony That…
A Profusion of Pimsleur
I am pretty sure I broke my old Pimsleur record.
I have to admit, earlier this week I had kind of stalled on the fifth Pimsleur lesson for Dutch. I was not finding this particular half-hour lesson easy. Not at all. I redid it several times, committing some of…
An NLBorrels Gathering
In which I hang out at a bar with Dutch people.
Yesterday, six days after starting Dutch, I ventured out to an NLBorrels gathering at an Irish bar in midtown Manhattan. I Completely Forgot to Take Pictures, So All I Have to Offer Is a Picture of My Dutch…
NYC & Company
I begin volunteering at an Official NYC Information Center.
I have been feeling I need more language practice, so I decided it would be a good idea to volunteer at one of the tourist information centers I’ve noticed around New York City. For Help with Helicopters, Bagels, Broadway…
Down in the Grammatical Ditches with Dutch
Language challenges, ameliorated by a friendly neighborhood tutor.
Yesterday was my second volunteer shift at an Official NYC Information Center. This gig is turning out to be one of the best ideas I’ve had in a long time. Unlike last week, where I got to work…
More Fun with My Dutch Tutor
With the assistance of my friend Vera, I do battle with Dutch vowels.
I have decided that foreign-language grammar books have properties similar to cleavage. Wednesday at my favorite local café, I had my Dutch books laid out in a pile in front of me while I redid some Pimsleur lessons on my…
NLBorrels, Take 2
I go to another (smoky) event for Dutch people.
The other night I went to another NLBorrels gathering at a midtown bar. As I have mentioned previously, this organization holds regular social and networking events for Dutch expats living in New York (and other cities as well). Times…
De Nederlandse Taalunie (The Dutch Language Union)
Certain Dutch people dictate things about the language for other Dutch people.
In my Essential Dutch Dictionary, by Gerdi Quist and Dennis Strik, who are also the authors of my Essential Dutch Grammar, I came across information about the Nederlandse Taalunie (Dutch Language Union). The authors describe it…
Field Trip: New-York Historical Society
I visit Dutch stuff at one of my favorite local museums.
On Tuesday I visited the New-York Historical Society to see what I could find there about Dutch New York. Entrance, New-York Historical Society I love this museum because of its tenacious focus on one of my favorite subjects: New…
Help from Hans
Without more Pimsleur Dutch lessons available, I have been having a hard time developing my oral skills.
Having raced through the paltry available supply of 30 Dutch Pimsleur lessons, I am left largely to my own devices—meaning my grammar books—to help me add to my store of Dutch. When you don’t have regular oral practice,…