Saint Kurt
Wanks Many Bulls
Posts: 2244
Registered: 28/1/04
Location: Watch out for that cow pie!
Member Is Offline
Mood: "Halt! WagnerZeit!"
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"Andere Länder, andere Sitten." <-- Wagner's Foreign Language and Cultures Class: Intro and sign up.
Here is the text of the email that Wagner sent out about the new class he is teaching in Language and Culture. It lead to this meeting with
students asking questions about it: Leaning Tower of Babel. Don't worry if you didn't play in that instance, your character still got the email and they can still sign up.
From: Father Kurt <kwagner@xavieru.edu>
To: Students <students_all@xavieru.edu>
Subject: Late class announcement: European Language and Cultures with Professor Wagner
===================================================
Guten Tag!
As you all know I am not teaching my usual courses this semester and due to my accident this summer, I am getting a late start. I think this is fine,
however, because I'm very excited about my new class. I hope you'll be interested too.
I know a lot of you have different plans after you graduate and that many of them include travel abroad. My training at the Pontifical School for
Diplomacy included training in language and culture that was very different to how they are taught in universities here. It was much more
concentrated and also included extensive lessons in cultural immersion.
Here is the class description for those who may be interested. I'll be holding an informal information session tomorrow afternoon for those of you
who have questions.
"Andere Länder, andere Sitten."
This is a colloquial phrase in Germany that is the equivalent to the English phrase "When in Rome, do as the Romans", but it actually translates to
"Other lands, Other customs" which is a much more appropriate name for this class.
Our goal will be to study three of Europe's core languages and cultures: French, German, and Italian. We will study both the languages and the
customs of the countries that speak them. Classes will meet everyday because it's important to practice constantly when learning a new language. We
will speak as little English as possible.
In addition, we will take frequent field trips to museums, out to eat, to various ethnic areas of New York City.
The course will run to the end of spring semester and several weeks over the summer when I plan on having us visit Europe as a class to use our newly
gained skills in conversation and culture.
If you are interested please come to my question and answer session or if you cannot make it, feel free to stop by my new office. The sign up sheet
will be on the door. Once I have a good idea of the class size and who is enrolled, I will send out a schedule.
Tschüs!
Fr. Kurt
So - if your character will be taking this class, sign up below (include any questions for Wagner to answer etc. That way we can play a class
instance later and even plan for the trip over the summer. Thanks -e
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Starfish
Many Sticky Hands
Posts: 1547
Registered: 9/5/07
Location: Germany
Member Is Offline
Mood: Cuddly
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Cessily heads over to Kurt's office and signs up right away. 
"If you weren't all busy dying, I bet we'd share a big laugh over it." - Layla Miller
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Ferguson
Blow Hard
Posts: 908
Registered: 27/11/06
Location: I'm in the hick-land playing the spoons
Member Is Offline
Mood: Shifty
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Lorna's signed.
Sabretooth shudders. "The fluids. the fluids." |
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littlebamf
Sometimes the bark isn\'t worse than the bite
Posts: 1988
Registered: 29/10/02
Location: the drama studio
Member Is Offline
Mood: kill all essays ><
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Lizzie signed.
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NachtcGleiskette
A Virgin Who Can't Drive
Posts: 3787
Registered: 14/1/03
Location: NY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Clueless
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TJ signed
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wingyding
Dusty Bits
Posts: 1066
Registered: 11/8/07
Location: behind you
Member Is Offline
Mood: Harbor Rats and Alley Cats and every kind of scum
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Tessa signed up
Neither Love nor Evil conquers all, but Evil cheats more.
Important Lessons Learned from the X-Men: Never give indestructible metal claws to something that doesn't die when you shoot it in the
head.
Choice of weapon is always important. In your case I'd suggest a machete. |
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HoodedMan
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JP's signed but may or may not show up. 
(USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST)
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Saint Kurt
Wanks Many Bulls
Posts: 2244
Registered: 28/1/04
Location: Watch out for that cow pie!
Member Is Offline
Mood: "Halt! WagnerZeit!"
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Not everyone in the instance is on here... I think Angel was supposed to be in the class too right?
Here's what I think the class list is:
Cessily
Lorna
Lizzie
TJ
Tessa
Jean-Paul
Angel
Please correct me if I'm wrong.
This thread will have updates about what the class is up to and also act as like a fake "email list" if the students want to ask questions of either
Wagner or their fellow students.
I will be posting the first update shortly.
-e
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Saint Kurt
Wanks Many Bulls
Posts: 2244
Registered: 28/1/04
Location: Watch out for that cow pie!
Member Is Offline
Mood: "Halt! WagnerZeit!"
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Wilkommen, Bienvenu, and Benvenuto!
Now that we have a class, and a class list, let's begin!
Even though this class will try to stay away from the usual dull conversations about going shopping, what sports do you do, and what is your job - we
have to start somewhere. After this first week we will be speaking English as little as possible in class so let's at least learn some important ways
to deal with the fact that in the beginning we won't have very much to say.
Greetings and other formalities such as "thank you" and "you're welcome" give excellent insight into how all of these languages work and so that's
where we'll begin.
In addition we will cover some very important phrases such as "I don't understand you?", "Do you understand?" and the most important of all "What is
the word for .......?"
Now, I know that several of you speak one or more of the languages we are covering quite well. Unfortunately, when we are studying one of those
languages that day, you will of course be doing extra duty helping with pronunciation and vocabulary for your ... less fortunate peers who are
starting from scratch with all three. Consider the fact that you've got a third of the class already covered, a fair trade for these services. And
of course, I will be ever grateful for your assistance as well.
And finally, when learning a language, practice makes perfect. Though I won't be there to watch and grade you, trust me, if you make a habit of
greeting and speaking to your fellow classmates in the languages we are studying, your work and diligence will be immediately obvious. (Don't forget
the many other international students at are school as well. They can provide another perspective as well and I know that I personally, always enjoy
it when someone makes an attempt to speak in German or Italian with me. They will appreciate the gesture as well I'm sure.)
Our schedule and your first vocabulary worksheets will be passed out next class.
Andiamo!
Fr Kurt
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Slarti
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Yup, Angelina did indeed sign up with bells on. Perhaps literally. 
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Crocodile Hunter
is not a moderator.
Posts: 2377
Registered: 8/12/03
Location: (F)Winland
Member Is Offline
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Shiro signs.
[Edited on 23/8/2007 by Crocodile Hunter]
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steyn
Humping Dog
Posts: 3227
Registered: 14/9/03
Location: Home
Member Is Offline
Mood: Magnificently huggable
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Kyle thinks he should sign up. He's already trying to get the English language under his belt, he can just as well try some other languages.
"Until one is committed there is hesitancy, a chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of
initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless dreams and splendid plans. That the moment one
definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too." - Goethe
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Saint Kurt
Wanks Many Bulls
Posts: 2244
Registered: 28/1/04
Location: Watch out for that cow pie!
Member Is Offline
Mood: "Halt! WagnerZeit!"
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Okay. The class list is now:
Cessily
Lorna
Lizzie
TJ
Tessa
Jean-Paul
Angel
Kyle
Shiro
And, just so we don't have player creep... it's closed to new admissions.
Since I want to use this thread as though it is a class discussion list where Wagner sends out messages and students discuss the class, field trips,
etc... (ie. implied playing) I thought I'd set some standards.
Italics are for player messages, like this one. If you've got a player to player question, comment, etc... Use italics so everyone knows.
[On the otherhand, if I'm typing as Wagner (or you as your characters) like I am now (or am about to...), just post normally. That should help keep
things straight.]
Good job so far class.
Next week we're going to start covering a subject that I'm sure all of you are interested in.
Obscenities can be a fascinating glimpse into society, history, and culture as well as how the language itself is constructed. So, instead of making
it taboo, let's talk about it. We'll talk about what to say, how to say it, when to say it, and most importantly, when not to.
bis balt!
Fr. Kurt
The instance will be Sunday at 2:30pm EST. See you there!
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Saint Kurt
Wanks Many Bulls
Posts: 2244
Registered: 28/1/04
Location: Watch out for that cow pie!
Member Is Offline
Mood: "Halt! WagnerZeit!"
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Since this instance isn't being played - here are the links I compiled for your use:
German Slang:
http://german.about.com/library/blvoc_avoidA.htm
http://www.notam02.no/~hcholm/altlang/ht/German.html
http://www.insultmonger.com/swearing/german.htm
Bavarian Slang:
http://www.insultmonger.com/swearing/bavarian.htm
Italian Slang:
http://italian.about.com/library/sigla/bladultslangindex.htm
http://www.notam02.no/~hcholm/altlang/ht/Italian.html
http://www.insultmonger.com/swearing/italian.htm
French Slang:
http://www.notam02.no/~hcholm/altlang/ht/French.html
http://www.insultmonger.com/swearing/french.htm
Enjoy!
-e
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Starfish
Many Sticky Hands
Posts: 1547
Registered: 9/5/07
Location: Germany
Member Is Offline
Mood: Cuddly
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Awesome links! Thanks! And about playing it as an instance, it's probably better to do it spontanously when a few of the language students are
around.
"If you weren't all busy dying, I bet we'd share a big laugh over it." - Layla Miller
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