Thursday, February 26, 2009

Mongolian For Beginners

Knowing how to speak a bit of Mongolian can be very handy … so let’s learn the basics: how to describe language difficulties and how to ask questions.


LANGUAGE DIFFICULTIES:

ENGLISH .........................................MONGOLIAN

I don’t speak Mongolian ......................... Bi mongoloor yaridagui

Do you speak English? ......................... Ta anlgiar yaridag uu?

Would you say that again? ...........Ta teriig dahiad heleed ogooch

Could you speak more slowly? .....Ta jaahan udaan yarina uu?

I understand ....................... Bi oilgoj baina

I don’t understand ....................... Bi oilgohgui baina

What does this mean? ...................Ene yamar utagtai ve?



QUESTIONS


ENGLISH ............................MONGOLIAN

Where? ..........................................Khaana?
Why? .............................................Yagaad?
When? .........................................Khezee?
What? ................................................Yu?
How? .................................................Yaj?
Who? ..............................................Khen?

Practice these phrases and we'll attempt to speak some Mongolian at our meeting next Thursday!

Activity Planning

We have mentioned it in previous meetings, and below is information pertaining to the activity planning that needs to be done prior to our departure.

Please read through these details.

ACTIVITIES THAT WE NEED TO LEAD

1. 35 children, ages 3 – 7, 4 groups: Games, Art, Exercise and Song (with equipment – CD player, piano etc) – one hour each activity

(Please start to think about which activity you would like to lead or co-lead with other students)

2. 5 classes of children, 30 per class, between 6 – 13 years old – Song, Dance, Art/drawing, Drama, Fun games

(Please start to think about which activity you would like to lead or co-lead with other students)

3. Sport competition – prepare a competitive sport game for 30 students (we were thinking of bringing soccer balls and organizing a soccer game for the students)

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After you've thought about what you'd like to do, please leave a comment on this post and share with the rest of the group the activity/activities you would prefer to lead. Also share any ideas you have for the "sport competition" (#3 above).

Mongolia TV Event This Weekend!

It is hard to believe, but we are now 2 weeks away from departure date! I hope everyone shares my excitement for the upcoming journey.


If you are around a TV this Sunday, at 7pm, tune into OLN (Outdoor Life Network) to watch Departures. This particular episode was filmed in Mongolia. Check out the description below:



After being separated at the airport and put on different flights, Scott arrives late and his bag has gone missing. The guys prepare for a long trek out to the Nomadic Reindeer Tatsun tribe, but to get there, they will have to travel by van for a couple days before getting on horseback to finish the final leg of the journey. As nomads themselves, Scott and Justin find value in witnessing the tribes traditional way of life and the necessity of the nature around them.

If you would like to learn more about OLN and Departures, visit:

http://www.oln.ca/otherinfo.php?id=12&infoid=11

Mr. McGuiness informed me and Ms. Morrison about this show, so thank him if you see him.