10:09 p.m. - 2007-07-30
CRI: Much better (at least when it comes to streaming)
Karaj amikoj!
It's been a while since I last listened to China Radio International's Esperanto service (as Ĉina Radio Internacia) — something I gave up on when the Esperanto Radio Arkivo couldn't save recent broadcasts (and my iPod, which I had used to listen to the low–fi MP3s, had its battery drained dry). Tonight, I accessed CRI's RealAudio stream to see if I could listen to the Monday show ("Leterkesto" night).
Well, it sounds like they got around to upgrading their streaming servers. It sounds much better, and so far (roughly 10 minutes into the show), the stream hasn't broken yet.
I still wish their shows were less stilted and more flowing like the daily offering from Polskie Radio, though…
Ĝis!
4:06 p.m. - 2007-07-14
June was just too packed
Karaj amikoj!
It has been far too long since I last posted… too much happened in June to relate here, and I am still dealing with it all. Needless to say, my studies took a hit, and I am trying to set time aside for them once more.
In the meantime, I often spend some time reading Zamenhof's Fundamento de Esperanto (Edistudio's 2007 edition), and not just for the historical value (although I still need to visit Lernu! for a more modern explanation of E–o grammar).
I've also pre–ordered a DVD of the new Imagu production, La Patro, even though I have mixed feelings about it. When you get a chance, have a look at the trailer (Windows Media format) and see how it strikes you.
For me, it seems like a momentary lapse of imagination (like, can the Imagu posse imagine a better project?).
I am still trying to wake up, because in less than three hours from now, I have checkout duty at our local supermarket. (And no, I really can't get much in the way of studying done over there. I still try, though.)
Ĝis!
3:05 p.m. - 2007-04-06
Clearing out the clutter
Karaj amikoj!
I found myself taking time out from my Esperanto studies so I could clean up my bedroom in my parents' house. Part of this, sadly, has been to remove some of the Japanese textbooks that I've acquired over the years. (I'm planning to reduce the number to a core few that will be useful for simple, personal conversation and friendship.)
I also found myself deleting a j–culture blog hosted at WordPress because I could no longer do justice to the subject. (That said, Mari Iijima remains one of my favorite musicians, probably because she is one of the most fan–friendly people out there. You'd wish others would follow her example.)
I may need to do a few more things in the coming months, but for now I am happy with the little progress I've made thus far.
Maybe now I can get my studies back on track.
The good news is that I am already capable of making sense of some of the posts I've seen on blogs written by komencantoj who blog with what they've learned so far. I hope to join their ranks soon.
Ĝis!
11:15 p.m. - 2007-02-03
Because everything needs to stick (and I do mean everything)
Karaj amikoj!
Sorry for the infrequent updates — working two jobs and learning Esperanto in between is a fact of life for me, I'm afraid…
I'm spending a lot more time on Lernu! these days. A lot of the time, it's for as much remedial Esperanto as possible.
I am very happy to have passed the ten–lesson postal course — let that be clear.
I just feel that some parts are either missing or just floating about somewhere. I can't allow that to continue. Esperanto is a wonderful language, and I want to be as fluent in it as possible.
And if it takes going back over the basics on a regular basis, well… that beats being ignorant any day.
Believe me, I am not giving up.
Ĝis!
2:43 p.m. - 2006-12-25
Recovering from the holiday flood
Bonan vesperon!
… and so many apologies for not updating things until this moment. The holiday shopping season was one of so many things weighing on my mind and preventing me from updating things here in DiaryLand.
The roller–coaster ride that has been the ongoing saga of Radio Polonia's Esperanto bureau reached a climax on Friday, December 15 (the birthday of L.L. Zamenhof) when an article appeared in the Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza, quoting Polskie Radio's vice–president Jerzy Targalski as suggesting that if Poland were to have an Esperanto broadcast out of pride for Zamenhof's accomplishments, then Israel should do the same.
Not an appropriate statement on the birthday of Esperanto's creator. And certainly not a welcome thing to say before the first night of Chanukah.
Plus… December 15th was to be the day of Radio Polonia's last Esperanto broadcast.
But later that day, Polskie Radio's president Krzysztof Czabański apologized for Targalski's remarks… and in a dramatic about–face, Gabriela Kosiarska was back at the microphone the very next evening, even though the resulting broadcast was potmarked with technical glitches here and there.
The situation has since been straightened out, and S-rino Kosiarska will be handling the Esperanto broadcasts from Radio Polonia until Sunday, December 31st. Then, on January 1st, a new Internet–delivered program (a podcast?) will be launched. (I can understand why; the majority of listeners of the Esperanto broadcast keep up with the show online.)
I have good news on my own personal front as well: I successfully completed the last lesson of the ELNA postal course (although the 90% grade clearly indicates that I can do better), and I am now the proud holder of an atesto, or certificate of completion.
Rest assured that this is only the beginning. And with the holidays a done deal, I can get back to my studies and other concerns with a little bit more room to breathe.
Ĝojan Kristnaskon!
9:49 p.m. - 2006-11-26
And this, despite everything we had done
Bonan vesperon:
Sorry for not updating until now… Libera Folio had just reported that Radio Polonia presenter Gabriela (Gabi) Kosiarska has been sacked… and that Radio Polonia's Esperanto broadcasts will most likely cease after Thursday, November 30.
This follows on the recent news that fellow Radio Polonia presenter Wojciech (Wojtek) Usakiewicz had his walking papers read to him — but didn't get a hard copy because it involves the programming changes apparently being rammed through by the higher–ups at Polskie Radio.
And this, in turn, has happened despite all the pleas that came from within the global Esperantist commuunity — even from no less than the UEA's own President, Dr. Renato Corsetti.
Moreover, Dr. Corsetti made it clear to the President of Poland that the UEA's plans to possibly bring its Universala Kongreso to Poland in 2009 could be in jeopardy depending on the actions of Polskie Radio. I don't doubt that, even though it would hurt a great deal (2009 is the 150th anniversary of the birth of Esperanto's creator, L.L. Zamenhof, himself a Pole).
I do hope that something new will emerge out of the ashes of Radio Polonia's Esperanto bureau. Poland and the global community deserve nothing less.
Bonan nokton kaj ĝis baldo!
10:04 p.m. - 2006-11-01
A green light for marginalization?
Bonan vesperon:
This has yet to appear on Raporto or Libera Folio (it probably will be not too long after I post this), but I've been informed by two of the mailing lists I'm on that Polskie Radio (Polish Radio) is apparently getting ready to cease its regular Esperanto broadcasts (under the Radio Polonia name) so that the restructured radio network can set its sights on reaching out to the Ukraine and Belarus (and in the national languages at that).
Considering that Poland is in fact the birthplace of la internacia lingvo — and that it will be the scene of the 150th anniversary of the birth of its creator, L.L. Zamenhof, in 2009 — I can only register shock at this piece of news, which came via Barbara Pietrzak, who has been one of the most recognized voices at Radio Polonia for years.
And yes, a change in management at Polskie Radio is the reason for what may yet go down without intervention from listeners of the Esperanto broadcasts.
In her note, she asked that calmly–toned letters be sent not just to Radio Polonia but also to the Polish Embassy in Washington, D.C.
I know my work schedule will get in the way of what needs to be done, but I can't let this slip by. I may have to delay completing my last postal course lesson until after the (e–)mail is sent.
The next post I make will probably be sometime afterwards.
Ĝis!
6:27 a.m. - 2006-10-17
Looking forward
Bonan matenon:
Many apologies for not posting for a while — such is life when you have to work two jobs to make ends meet. But I am close to finishing my beginning Esperanto lessons, and with a 99% grade on my recent "homework," I couldn't be happier. I am already trying to decide on a suitable intermediate course for next year. Yes, I want to keep going.
As indicated above, I am being kept busy at work (although I do manage to borrow some time for study) — indeed, I have to get ready for work at the office, so for now…
Ĝis!
10:42 p.m. - 2006-09-14
Still in a state of shock
Bonan vesperon:
I finally was able to finish the next batch of exercises I had gotten as part of the Esperanto postal course I am now closer to finishing. I mailed my work out on Monday, September 11th… the very day the celebrated British Esperantist William Auld passed away.
I must say that I cannot truly sum up the life and life–work of this amazing man. Suffice it to say that his body of work will remain a vital piece of the Esperanto movment for many decades to come. He was that well revered in life.
Radio Polonia (Polskie Radio) has already devoted signifcant airtime during their last two Esperanto broadcasts to a tribute to William Auld; the September 14th broadcast (hosted at the Esperanto Radio Arkivo) offers a sampling of his masterwork poem, La infana raso, which can purchased in printed form from the ELNA online bookstore; you will find links to reports about Mr. Auld's passing elsewhere on the site.
Ĝis poste…
6:18 a.m. - 2006-08-30
Well, so much for the record
Bonan matenon:
No new Ĉina Radio Internacia or Radio Pollonia broadcasts over at the Radio Arkivo as of yesterday. Vey.
I just wish I knew why.
Ĝis!
6:21 a.m. - 2006-08-29
Dreaming in la internacia lingvo
Bonan matenon:
It's finally happened. My first dream in somewhat foggy Esperanto.
What was so odd about it is how I felt. Here I felt like a director screening his latest "rushes" (the takes from the preceeding day) in the editing room. I felt as if I were somewhere on the earth, but I couldn't say where. Poland? Lithuania (the current home of one of my heroes, Peter Watkins)? New York City, always other–worldly to me?
I'm still trying to sort it out.
Ĝis!
10:55 p.m. - 2006-08-28
The current record stands at 10
… that is, the unbroken number of daily broadcasts of Ĉina Radio Internacia offered at the Esperanto Radio Arkivo. Ten days of uninterrupted CRI programming since August 19th.
Any bets on how long this streak lasts?
Ĝis!
(P.S. This is the first time I've attempted to use special characters in my Diaryland journal. So it works.)
10:46 p.m. - 2006-08-27
Very trivial, but still…
Bonan vesperon:
Yes, it's a trivial thing, but… this past week I was able to listen to China Radio International's Esperanto broadcasts (as Cxina Radio Internacia) — and download them all from the Esperanto Radio Arkivo — without missing a single day.
It's not something that happens often. ;-)
Meanwhile, I've started to focus on what has been my weakest study area: free writing in la internacia lingvo (not just translating exercise sentences or answering exercise questions). Thankfully, there was a prompt to write a paragraph as part of my recent postal mail course lesson. And I actually got the gall to compose and send a short e–missive to a documentary video producer in Poland.
Not bad.
Imagine what will happen when I start putting out the call for pen–pals!
Gxis!
11:25 p.m. - 2006-07-29
Finally, breathing (and sleeping) room
Bonan vesperon:
I finally got through the compound word–building lesson (it is now in the mail) — and while I don't expect to get a perfect score, I feel so much better that it is done. I do, however, expect to review the whole thing as soon as it comes back.
The weird part is how my superbazara laboro is affecting my sleep. I sometimes dream that I am still at the cashier even though I am clearly in bed. Too nerving. Why do I have a feeling I will be dealing with supermarket politics in a future novel or film? (Would someone like to contact the exiled English movie maker Peter Watkins? This one might require his expertise.)
In the meantime, I need more sleep…
Gxis!
9:32 p.m. - 2006-07-16
No Landa Kongreso for me this year, but keep me in mind
Bonan vesperon:
Before anyone asks: Yes, I am aware of the Esperanto League for North America's annual convention, or Landa Kongreso, which begins later this week in New York City (Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan, to be exact). Sadly, I won't be able to attend any of it this year, in part because of my job schedule (and in part for a lack of sufficient funds for that). But do enjoy yourself if you do get to go. I understand that the Kongreso is an amazing gathering.
If you're curious about the language and plan to be in Manhattan this Saturday, July 22nd, you'll be interested in ELNA's Distra Vespero (a sort of "open house" at 6:00 p.m. (Eastern) that evening; further details are up on ELNA's website.
China Radio International's Esperanto en marcxo program (part of CRI's Saturday evening broadcasts, and easily found at the Esperanto Radio Arkivo) is improving; the style has loosened up a bit and the presenters don't sound quite as stiff as on other CRI offerings. They're also including more audio recorded on location — a welcome change from the standard in–studio practices identified with CRI.
Meanwhile, I have something very special in the works… I just can't reveal it yet… but it might surprise all of you.
Gxis!
10:21 p.m. - 2006-07-05
Getting la internacia lingvo in my ears again
Bonan vesperon:
I am still wrestling with some exercises involving compound words made using root words in Esperanto. Also my work schedule has been a little crazy, thus keeping me from finishing my "homework."
But it is good to report that I can once again access newly–archived radio shows from the Esperanto Radio Arkivo. I still missed a whole week of broadcasts, but at least new programs are being added again, and it is good to hear la internacia lingvo in use once again. It is a valuable aid in my learning, and the language stays fresh in my ears and my head.
I will be very happy to get back into my proper study routine again soon.
Bonan nokton!
7:50 p.m. - 2006-06-25
Malfunctioning Arkivo
Bonan vesperon:
What is happening with the Esperanto Radio Arkivo?
This is one site I use on a daily basis, to download the latest archived broadcasts from Radio Pollonia (Poland) and Cxina Radio Internacia (China Radio International), but for the last few nights the most I've been able to save are 4KB files and no content attached to them. Has anyone else noticed, I wonder?
For the moment, my main study concerns are 1) compound words and 2)verbs. While both should seem simple enough, I still keep reaching for a dictionary in trying to deal with each issue as it comes up.
Oh, I guess I'll be able to muddle through for a while — in between jobs, that is. ;-)
Bonan nokton…
12:00 a.m. - 2006-06-18
Making up for lost time
Bonan matenon!
This is a very late (and belated) post for me, as I haven't had as much time to devote to my Esperanto studies as I did in past weeks. A lot of it is because of the second job I have at the local King Kullen supermarket — and trying to squeeze the rest of my life in between. Of course, doing this while your parents are away — and you have to do more than your share of house–sitting — doesn't help much.
So now I try to get in some remedial time at Lernu! (and test the new frameless version of their website now and then). I'm also still immersing myself in whatever radio broadcasts I can find on the Esperanto Radio–Arkivo.
There is one special development in my studies, but it's too fragile to reveal anywhere, even on Diaryland. Please bear with me while I try to play catch–up on my studies.
But it will be amazing…
Gxis!
11:34 p.m. - 2006-05-27
Mi laboras en superbazaro
Bonan vesperon:
Up front tonight: It is tricky trying to schedule time for your studies in la internacia lingvo while you're moonlighting…
Actually, there's no choice in the matter.
So Mondays through Fridays, I'm doing my regular thing at the office (a major manufacturer of women's fashions — I work in technical support for the order entry and accounts departments), and on select evenings and part of the weekend, I'm a cashier–clerk at a superbazaro — a supermarket. (For those wondering, it's King Kullen, the big supermarket chain here on Long Island. At least it's close to home, so the "commute" isn't much of one, really…
Just making time for Lernu! can be a little bit of a challenge. But I do my best to.
I haven't decided if this would work well as a short essay for the beginning Esperanist's journal Komencanto just yet…
Bonan nokton…
9:30 p.m. - 2006-05-13
Vocabulary construction zone — wear your hardhat
(Now playing: Cxina Radio Internacia, 11 May 2006 broadcast)
Bonan vesperon:
A new wrinkle has been added to my daily life: a part–time evening job at a major regional supermarket. I won't say much about it here, because I don't want to jinx what I think will be a good thing. I'll just say: So far, so good.
I seem to be handling correlatives quite well so far. Right now, the focus has shifted to how new words can be built in Esperanto (a feature also present in Turkish, but far more maddening to learn). In Esperanto, certain prefixes and suffixes are key to making new words and expanding your vocabulary. Lernu! deals with this piecemeal throughout their online courses (which are free and accessible to everyone, by the way… even YOU, dear reader).
Some of the examples komencantoj come across even as they start studying include:
ek-, which can mean to suddenly begin (as in ekdormi, to fall asleep);
mal–, which means the opposite (so if bela means beautiful, then malbela would mean ugly); and
re–, to return or repeat (as in reveni, to come back).
A few examples of suffixes will suffice:
–an–, a group member, resident, or follower (Kanadano meaning Canadian, e.g.);
–eg–, which expresses something bigger or stronger (if domo is a house, then domego is a mansion); and
–ej–, which identifies a place (so lernejo means school, and malsanulejo means hospital).
There are far more prefixes and suffixes than I can share in a post, but using them isn't as hard as it can be to use particles in Japanese.
Learning correlatives and the prefix/suffix system isn't nearly as hard as learning TeX and LaTex, for certain. (I want to devote some time to mastering TeX/LaTex, even if only at a basic level, as I want to use that system when I start writing again.)
That should be interesting, especially when trying to get it work with la internacia lingvo. Still, if the Esperanto Association of Britain could do it for its Mini-Dictionary, why can't I?
(Famous last words.)
Bonan nokton…
8:10 p.m. - 2006-05-02
The nights are just drilling
Bonan vesperon:
This will be a short entry tonight, as I just logged out of Lernu!, the best online way to study Esperanto I can think of. This evening I did some drills in their "Bildoj kaj demandoj" (pictures and questions) area; I actually enjoy it as it helps me deal with my weak study areas and reinforces some of the very points I'm dealing with right now — correlatives, to be exact.
Correlatives (what? where? how? who? and so on) seem such a chore, but it makes up a significant percentage of what you say, read, write, or speak in la internacia lingvo. So I put things in pause every so often (and often relax with some tea) before diving back in.
I know that I'm gonna need a rock–solid understanding of correlatives, each and every one. I look at it as "knowing the territory."
Hope you get the message.
Gxis!
9:48 p.m. - 2006-04-29
Nudging a few words out of me daily
Bonan vesperon:
One thing I recently started doing was to take a common notebook and turn it into an Esperanto–only taglibro (diary) in which I can write whatever comes to mind so long as I have the right words or expressions in Esperanto for it.
For now, there is very little in this note book because I have been overly–obsessed with finding a part-time evening job. I try to make new entries during my lunch–hour at work, but last week had me tied up with a special project for my boss. Maybe next week will let me get back on track. I hope so anyway...
Today I downloaded the latest China Radio International (Cxina Radio Internacia) broadcast in la internacia lingvo from the Esperanto Radio Arkivo. It's not the best of the radio shows produced outside North America — I like the ones made by Radio Polonia better — but they get a lot done in a hour's worth. (I won't comment on CRI's politics here, for the record. Off–topic, you might say.)
Esperanto radio shows — and the podcasts from Cxi Ti Nun, esPodkasto, and of course Radio Verda — are far more fascinating and enjoyable for me than practically anything in English on cable (digital or analogue). And they sure beat the heck out of any ClearChannel radio station out here…
Bonan nokton…
6:10 p.m. - 2006-04-26
Bonan vesperon!
Jen la Konstelacio–taglibro — this is the start of the diary of a beginning Esperantist, or komencanto ("beginner") — that is, an individual that is learning and yearning to use (read, speak, and write in) Esperanto, the best–known auxiliary language in the world.
I started studying Esperanto in October 2005, after doing some research and deciding that it would be the language I could learn and use the best.
(I am also very interested in Japanese culture, but have had difficulties learning the language, particularly with the grammar and the kanji character system. Thankfully, Japan also has its own Esperantist community...)
As I am just now launching my Diaryland space, it will take a while for me to get comfortable and to comment on my experience with la internacia lingvo (the international language). But I have good vibes about all of this...
Bonan nokton!
