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frostfire_17

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Sep 11, 2011 15:50

Hi, everybody, I am just returned from a Trip! To--Warsaw. Yes, really. Every three years, Hittite scholars have a conference Just For Them (as opposed to a general Near East thing, or a general cuneiform studies thing, of which there are a few), and this year it was in Poland. I was so very, very apprehensive beforehand--never been to Poland! ( Read more... )

Comments 5

soho_iced September 11 2011, 22:11:54 UTC

When I was in Poland teaching English for my gap year, one of my pupils asked if I could go over a geology paper her father was submitting for publication. I really hope he had another editor as well, as 18 year old me was pretty baffled by both his English and his research. If you ever go back,

soho_iced September 11 2011, 22:14:44 UTC

Er- to finish that sentence- I suggest you push for Krackow or Gdansk instead of Warsaw as it has to be the ugliest city I've ever seen.

frostfire_17 September 12 2011, 00:11:13 UTC

Awwww, everyone hates on Warsaw! Before I went, a lot of people told me that it wasn't a very attractive city, but I don't know, the area we were in--around the university, right by the old town--was nice! I mean, touristy as hell, but nice! And the old town reminded me a little of San Francisco, with all of the pastel-colored buildings jammed in close together, rising up on hills. The downtown area was full of commercial buildings and traffic, of course, but it wasn't ugly or anything, just--crowded. And the ride to and from the airport revealed what looked like normal park-infested suburbia. So, you know, it wasn't spectacular or anything--I hear *Krakow* is spectacular--but I didn't think it was ugly!

As for English, well, I cannot imagine how difficult it must be for people to publish in foreign languages--I know a ton of people who do, and I have the utmost respect for them. BUT, of course, getting an editor is a NECESSARY REQUIREMENT, because if you don't, the consequences are not pretty. *g*

sothcweden September 12 2011, 04:34:25 UTC

I know you don't know me, but I wanted to de-lurk to say that I'm really looking forward to reading a 200,000 word Trek story that you've written. And congrats on getting through what sounds like an exhausting but stimulating week.

tinnny September 15 2011, 18:59:05 UTC

as many languages as the Hittites did

Heeee!

Other languages are so cool. And I think it's great that you can at least understand some German. The fact that you are aware of the cultural (or linguistic) hegemony is worth a lot.

I find it good that English is such a widely used language. I mean, look at LJ. Most of my friends aren't native English speakers, but they are here because fandom brings them together and they watch their shows in English, and a lot of them write fic in English even though it is not their first language. I just love all of it. A common language brings people together.