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IAP 2009 Activities by Category

Foreign Languages

Beginner Esperanto
Eric Eisner
Mon-Fri, Jan 13-16, 19-23, 06:30-08:00pm, 8-205

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Participants requested to attend all sessions (non-series)

Esperanto is a simple yet expressive language that is spoken by millions of people in over 120 countries who are interested in communicating with others, regardless of their native languages. Esperanto is easy to learn and use, and in this fun introductory course you'll quickly learn sufficient grammar and vocabulary to begin using the language outside of class. We'll also look at contemporary culture of Esperanto, showing how young people are using it today around the world.
Web: http://web.mit.edu/esperanto/
Contact: Eric Eisner, spe-ak@mit.edu
Sponsor: Societo por Esperanto

Brief History of Constructed Languages
Jacob Schwartz
Mon Jan 12, 06:30-08:00pm, 8-205

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Single session event

Learn about the history of universal and constructed languages, from their beginnings in the writings of philosophers to actual language projects in the last century, including a brief survey of internet resources for the constructed language hobbyist.
Web: http://web.mit.edu/esperanto/
Contact: Jacob Schwartz, spe-ak@mit.edu
Sponsor: Societo por Esperanto

Capstone Immersion Module for Advanced Learners of German
Sigrid Berka, MIT Germany, Kurt Fendt, FL&L
Fri Jan 23 thru Sun Feb 1, 09am-09:00pm, Germany, exact times tbd

Enrollment limited: advance sign up required (see contact below)
Signup by: 15-Nov-2008
Limited to 15 participants.
Single session event
Prereq: 21F.404 or 21F.405 through 21F.420

Explore Berlin and Hamburg over IAP and communicate with Germans in company workshops, student meetings, visits with artists, writers and museum outings. Alternate contact is Ellen Crocker at ecrocker@mit.edu.

NB: Students are resposible for their own flights
Contact: Sigrid Berka, MIT Germany, E38-716, 253-6982, sberka@mit.edu
Sponsor: MIT Germany Program, CIS
Cosponsor: Foreign Languages and Literatures

Hebrew Literacy Marathon
Rabbi Sam Seicol
Wed Jan 28, 04-08:00pm, W11 community room
Thu Jan 29, 04-08:00pm, W11 Small Dining Roo

Enrollment limited: advance sign up required (see contact below)
Limited to 15 participants.
Participants requested to attend all sessions (non-series)
Fee: 15.00 for Books

If you don't know even a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, this class is for
you. Be part of an eight hour Hebrew learning marathon. You will learn the
aleph-bet and vowel signs of Hebrew, be able to read in Hebrew, be exposed to
as many as 300 basic words of Hebrew in Jewish living, and develop a love and
appreciation for the Hebrew language. No background required. Register and pay
book fee of $15. Enrollment is limited to the first 15 to register
and pay the fee.
Web: http://Web: http://www.mit.edu/hillel/www/iap-events.html
Contact: Rabbi Sam Seicol, W11-040, (617) 253-2982, rabbisam@MIT.EDU
Sponsor: Hillel
Cosponsor: Students for Israel

Intermediate Esperanto
Leonid Chindelevitch
Mon Jan 26 thru Thu Jan 29, 06:30-08:00pm, 8-205

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Participants requested to attend all sessions (non-series)
Prereq: Beginner Esperanto, or equivalent experience

A more advanced course on the language Esperanto, continuing where Beginner Esperanto left off. Emphasis is on practical conversational skills and vocabulary building.
Web: http://web.mit.edu/esperanto/
Contact: Leonid Chindelevitch, spe-ak@mit.edu
Sponsor: Societo por Esperanto

Learn Asian!
Cathy Zhang
Thu Jan 15, 22, 29, 07-09:00pm, 2-136

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Participants welcome at individual sessions (series)
Prereq: Linguistic Interest in Chinese/Japanese/Korean

Have you ever wondered... What is the difference between all those Asian languages? How people read those bizarre squiggles? Why actors talk so much while subtitles say so little?

Come find out! This class will cover three East Asian languages: Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. I will provide a basic background in each language and teach what no other C/J/K class offers: a cross-linguistic analysis emphasizing similarities and differences in topics from politeness-hierarchies to pronunciation.

Note: Each session will last no longer than 90minutes; extra time will be used for Q&A.
Web: http://web.mit.edu/zhangc/www/learn_asian/
Contact: Cathy Zhang, zhangc@mit.edu
Sponsor: Cathy R Zhang, SIMMONS HALL # 577, 617 452-3114, zhangc@mit.edu

Learn Toki Pona
Leonid Chindelevitch
Mon Jan 5 thru Fri Jan 9, 06:30-08:00pm, 8-205

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Participants requested to attend all sessions (non-series)

Toki Pona is a ”maximally minimal” language. With only 120 words and only the simplest to pronounce sounds, Toki Pona is based on the philosophy that ”simple is good.” In order to lead a simple life, one needs a simple language; or perhaps a simple language will lead to a simpler life. Whether you accept the philosophy or not, Toki Pona is fun to speak. Now a week-long class to learn the language!
Web: http://web.mit.edu/esperanto/
Contact: Leonid Chindelevitch, spe-ak@mit.edu
Sponsor: Societo por Esperanto

Mayan Epigraphy
Xanalkak Ka'at'witz
Tue Jan 20, 08-10:00pm, 1-150

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Single session event
Prereq: No experience necessary.

The ancient Mayan language was finally deciphered within the last few decades. It is as intricate and fascinating as ancient Egyptian. Interested? A short workshop on how Mayan words are formed, how glyphs are drawn, and how to write your name or whatever else you want in Mayan hieroglyphics.
Contact: Xanalkak Ka'at'witz, xanalkak@mit.edu
Sponsor: Society for Creative Anachronism


MIT  
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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Last update: 30 September 2004