AUSTRALIA: Lost in translation: language crisis targeted

STUDENTS from primary school to year 10 would be required to study a second language as part of a national push by university chiefs to stem the language "crisis" in schools.

Under the plan, all year 12 graduates would also get a 10 per cent bonus on their university entry scores if they successfully complete a language other than English in their final year at school.

Saturday, 2nd June 2007
The Age (Australia)

Major push for Irish language law

As many as 4,000 responses to a proposed new Irish language law have been sent to the government, as a consultation period comes to an end.

Tuesday, 5th June
BBC website

Polish subtitles on Welsh TV show

Welsh language channel S4C is to broadcast a current affairs programme with Polish subtitles.

O Flaen Dy Lygaid (Before Your Eyes), which is produced by the BBC, is thought to be the first TV show in the UK to use subtitles in Polish.

Sunday 3rd June 2007
BBC website

Attention, s'il vous plaît

Lecturers are responding creatively to the challenge posed by language students who are more diverse than ever, says Michael Kelly (Director of the Subject Centre for Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies).

Friday 1 June 2007
Learning skills in HE Published in The Times Higher (subscription required to view online)

Hoodies and wags break into English dictionary

LONDON (AFP) - Hoodies, wags, carbon footprints and muffin tops have entered the English language, according to the ninth edition of the Collins English Dictionary launched Monday.

The new arrivals provided a snapshot of the way the English language has thrown up new words to describe the modern world.

Monday, June 4 2007
Yahoo UK and Ireland news

Ciao now, brown cow

Want to learn and speak a foreign language properly? Go and study abroad, says Francesca Nelson

21 April 2007
Daily Telegraph

Dialect researchers given a 'canny load of chink' to sort 'pikeys' from 'chavs' in regional accents

Researchers at Leeds University are sifting through a vast collection of examples of regional slang words and phrases turned up by a project run by the BBC, in which they invited the public to send in examples of English still spoken throughout the country.

Andy McSmith
Friday 1 June 2007
The Independent