What I really need is a Babelfish
I went to Prague in 1993 and again in 1995, and in 1996 I was even offered a job there. If it had come two months earlier, I probably would have taken it, but I had just met Laura and had high hopes, so I stayed in New Jersey (right choice, no doubt). I love visiting places where I don’t understand the language. I’m so word-oriented that in a way, it’s a relief to be someplace where I can’t understand stuff. On the other hand, being in a place where you don’t understand the language is also a fascinating puzzle to solve. How do I order a beer? ("Jedno pivo, prosim!") I bought a few books (knyhy!) and some tapes in Prague to help me learn the language after I got home, where I completely and utterly failed to make use of them.
No doubt I’ll completely and utterly fail to make use of this really cool web site, but hell, the site’s creator doesn’t know Czech either. But I love the way he imparts what little Czech he does know through pictures. It actually reminds me of one of the books I bought. It’s just a lovely site. I don’t really know Czech any better for having perused it, but it’s a neat resource anyway. Maybe if I just work at it a little harder....
Posted at 8:50 PM