Maintaining Your Second Language: practical and productive strategies for translators, teachers, interpreters and other language lovers

Maintaining Your Second Language: practical and productive strategies for translators, teachers, interpreters and other language lovers

This book is for advanced learners of a second language such as translators, interpreters, teachers, the parents of bilingual children, journalists, international business people, heritage speakers and other language lovers. It contains practical strategies, tips and resources related to maintaining a foreign language. It targets those who are already fluent in a second (or third) language and who are looking for ways to maintain their skills long-term. This book will help advanced foreign language speakers find their path to continued language fluency and linguistic success. It provides innovative approaches to self-study, the benefits of singing even if you can’t carry a tune, the role of technology in language maintenance and retention, how to play word and other games, and much more. It also provides links and references to many helpful language-related resources. If you love languages, this book is for you! "For those of us whose livelihood depends on our second language, it can be a struggle to maintain our listening and speaking skills while living in our native language country. Eve Lindemuth Bodeux's book is the most helpful resource I've come across for high-level speakers of more than one language. She offers not only conceptual guidance, but practical strategies that you can implement as soon as you read even one chapter of her book. A crucial resource for anyone committed to maintaining their second-language proficiency!" -Corinne McKay, translator, trainer and author of How to Succeed as a Freelance Translator "I urge you to read the book Maintaining Your Second Language by Eve Lindemuth Bodeux. Eve, a professional translator and parent to two bilingual children, has done the language-learning world a tremendous service by compiling a treasure trove of practical tips and tools for sustaining and strengthening one's second (or additional) language." -Adam Beck, bilingualism expert (bilingualmonkeys.com) and author of Maximize Your Child's Bilingual Ability " Maintaining Your Second Language is an essential toolkit for anyone who wishes to keep language proficiency levels honed. While a translator by trade, Bodeux's book appeals to anyone hoping to find creative ways to immerse oneself deeper into the pursuit of second, third (or beyond!) language study. The text contains both tried and true methods to maintain language proficiency, as well as some surprising and unique hints, especially in the area of accessing video and film from abroad. Bodeux's work fills a much needed niche to teach language learners tricks of the trade that can take years to discover. It's a treasure trove of resources at the fingertips that will garner praise from both the language professional and the serious enthusiast who wishes to delve deeper. I recommend it highly to graduating seniors as they exit my language program." -Elizabeth Dick, PhD and Chair, World Languages and German Teacher South Anchorage High School, Anchorage School District "A must-read for bilinguals, translators, interpreters, expats, and language-lovers all over the world. In this tip-filled book, you get a great big list of resources on how to keep up with your non-native languages with the help of (mostly free) strategies and techniques. If you are looking for a practical, brain-friendly approach to keeping up your language skills, search no more: you've found the perfect reference guide, packed with information and examples no matter what your languages are or where you live. After reading this book, I (sadly) won't be able to use the excuse 'I'm not a native English speaker' anymore, because I now have all the tools to become one!" -Catherine Christaki, translator, blogger and social media expert Eve Lindemuth Bodeux has worked as a professional translator and consultant for over twenty years. She earned an MA from the University of Virginia (USA) and a graduate degree from the Université de Lorraine (France). An Alaska-born, dual French-American national, she has traveled extensively in the US and Europe and currently resides in the Denver, Colorado (USA) area. She lives in a bicultural world and her personal and research interests include bilingualism, language retention and the intergenerational transmission of language. She is proud to say that extracurricular activities include nerdy pastimes like reading the dictionary. She can be contacted via her professional website at bodeuxinternational.com or Twitter at @ebodeux.