In this article we are talking about the various languages spoken among AEGEE members.  We know that English is the most common language in the world, but also other languages find some space in our Network, therefore  we have asked Erifyli Evangelou, a member of the Language Interest Group, to tell us something about the situation of the languages inside our students’ association.

We know for sure that English is not the only foreign language spoken in AEGEE, even though it represents the one we use to communicate among us in ninety per cent of the cases. There are other languages such as Spanish, not only inside Spanish Antennas but also diffused in many Locals, where there are many students who study Spanish for example. We can also consider German an other language you can find in many European countries. However, we do not have any statistics yet. That is why the Language Interest Group reveals to us their plan to make a survey about languages in AEGEE. In this plan, the Interest Group will answer to the following questions: which are the most spoken ones, where do people learn the languages and what do they do to improve them.

We also know that not all nationalities are able to speak English in the same way. According to the opinion of most AEGEE members, Italians and Spanish show the worst spoken English. Some AEGEEans say that the best English is spoken by Dutch guys. Dutch is a bit similar to English, being an anglo-germanic language within the Germanic languages, meaning it shares a common ancestor with languages such as English, German, and the Scandinavian languages. That’s why it shares many common words with English. At the same time, we do not have to be limited to these stereotypes linked to the language families in which English belongs, and Italian and Spanish do not.  We will have to wait, then, for the survey of the LIG in order to discover the answers to our questions. The same question presents and discussed in many lunches or dinners among AEGEE members.

The goal of the Language Interest Group is to raise awareness within AEGEE about the value of multilingualism, encourage and help AEGEEans to learn more foreign languages and discuss issues related to language policies, minority languages and language diversity. The group has different ongoing projects, like the European Day of Languages or the Travel Dictionaries Project. Furthermore, it is cooperating with Language SUs, giving workshops at Agorae and EPM and it is present at the Fairs. Additionally, it also has temporary projects like the AEGEE Day video or preparing language quizzes and games. In fact, with the help of some active members and many Antennas, the LIG has collected multilingual greetings from all over the AEGEE network. Every AEGEE member can watch our video here.

About the next plans, Erifyli tells us that the LIG is planning to create a multilingual European music playlist, so that AEGEEans can listen to cool songs in every AEGEE language. Furthermore, they are going to publish soon their Travel Dictionaries in many languages and if you attend Agora Bergamo it could be that you see some members of the LIG recording many different people saying something in their language.

Erifyli Evangelou gives some tips for AEGEEans who want to improve their English. In particular, the LIG encourages them “To go to many events and once being there, don’t be only with people who speak your language. Talk a lot to people from other countries, do not get frustrated if you make mistakes and be patient with yourself!” Other options to improve a language are organising a language tandem or other language activities in your Antenna or get involved in a European project, because there the working language is for sure English. “The most important thing is to get out of your comfort zone and not be afraid of speaking English! Only those who try, can succeed!” adds Erifyli.

Written by Matteo Lai, AEGEE-Cagliari.

The Italians are believed not to be fluent English speakers. However, the AEGEE-Torino crew is breaking all the stereotypes! They came up with an idea to motivate the Rainbow network to practise languages and work harder on a teambuilding, promotion and fundraising at the same time. The AEGEEan talked with the Event Responsible and main organiser of the Linguistic happy hours: Lorenzo Li Veli.

The AEGEEan: Can you tell us something about the Linguistic happy hours (L’Aperitivo Linguistico)? What was the main aim of the event? Is there any program you followed? What games were included? 

Lorenzo Li Veli: L’Aperitivo Linguistico is an event that has characterized our antenna since the first day.  It is something typically Italian: it is neither a proper dinner nor an afternoon break. People come to get some food and a drink and have fun together. Our L’Aperitivo Linguistico is mainly divided into two parts: the first one where people eat and socialize thanks to our ice-breaking games, the second one where we reward the winners of the different games and we introduce AEGEE. After this, everyone is free to continue their own night with us or on their own. The main aim is to get everyone to socialize, and as it is very multicultural, we like the idea of students of different nationalities getting in touch. And of course, the economic issue is important: it is our main way to fundraise.

How did you come up with this interesting idea? Did the success of your Summer University Use your Tongue inspire you to continue with the same thought?

L’Aperitivo Linguistico is an event that our antenna has always organised. Unfortunately, last year was a slack period for it; only few people were involved and it was a semi-disaster. This year we decided to completely renew the formula and we changed everything: the structure, location and frequency. The team was reformed and I wanted everyone to be “AEGEE-mates” before the event. We worked a lot on the PR and the success came along!

Did you contact the Language Working Group and ask them for support? Who were the trainers/teachers and what languages were covered by the program?

We contacted LWG only for the European Day of Language, but it does not have any role in our Aperitivo. We do not involve any specific trainers. All the Aperitivo-knowledge I have now comes from the past experiences I have had either in AEGEE or in other associations. We still have a lot to learn to improve our Aperitivo. Right now, we cover the five main European languages: Italian, Spanish, English, French and German. But we’re thinking to add two more: Arab and Chinese. We will see at the next Aperitivo.

Was there any cooperation with the Erasmus students?

Without Erasmus students, L’Aperitivo Linguistico could not live. The more students there are, the better it is. As we want to spread the spirit of a borderless Europe, having many students of different nations is the perfect recipe for our L’Aperitivo!

Is the event open for everyone or just for the members of AEGEE-Torino?

It’s open to anyone who wants to have a great time, meet a lot of new people and speak different languages. We have a lot of Erasmus students coming, as well as many students who live in Turin. At the latest L’Aperitivo of 2014 there were more than four hundred participants. It was an incredible night!

How many times have you organised it so far and has it already become traditional? 

For the season 2014/2015 we started in October, and we had one in November and in December too. After the winter break, we’re starting in March and continue with one Aperitivo a month until June. It’s always on the first Tuesday of the month.

Last year it was a weekly meeting, but this year we decided to concentrate all our resources and efforts on a monthly meeting. It has been a good choice so far.

Would you advise other antennas to have a similar type of activity? Why?

Of course I would. It is a great way to improve the notoriety of a single local. And it is a great fundraising move, too. I can say that it is our main economic income, right now. We are also planning to make “L’AperitivoLinguistico – Use your tongue” a brand to be advertised in all of Italy and, why not, in Europe as well. We have already extended it to Verona, Brescia and Genova.

What about the future plans of AEGEE-Torino? We have heard that the exchange with AEGEE-Novi Sad is coming. Can you please tell us something more about the plans of the current board? 

We have a lot of projects for the future! First of all, we will continue with one Aperitivo Linguistico a month, until June. Then we have this beautiful exchange with Novi Sad between April and May and we are also planning an Local Training Course this spring. Last but not least, the event we’re most proud of: our Summer University in July and August. It’s going to be an awesome 2015 for AEGEE-Torino!

Would you like to share one inspiring quote, or a motivational line that you follow? 

“It always seems impossible until it’s done” – Nelson Mandela It perfectly describes our spirit. Never give up!

Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers?

Come to Torino and enjoy the beautiful spirit of AEGEE during our Aperitivo Linguistico. You won’t regret it, I can assure it. And I want to give a special thanks to the beautiful team that works with me for the perfect success of the event: everyone is important!

Written by Ivana Mijanac, AEGEE-Beograd

If we take a look around our own musical tastes, most of us will agree that there are so many songs, from traditional ones to pop musicc, that don’t reach a major audience because of the language barrier. What is more, we would find it hard to find any song related to European integration at all, or barely no European symbols in the latest videoclips.

With these ideas in mind, AEGEE-Düsseldorf member Benjamin Feyen has decided to take up again an idea he had many years ago in order to connect two of his passions: music, and AEGEE. He has found in music a perfect channel to spread ‘Europtimism’, and he is currently looking for motivated members that would like to embark on his project called FAME, which stands for the multilingual  name Fabrik AEGEE-ènne de Müzik Europea. The AEGEEan has just had a chat with Benjamin about the idea behind this new musical project.

Benjamin, how did you come up with the idea of launching a project about music?

I love music, so it is quite obvious to combine this with another thing I love: AEGEE. However, the basic idea of what will now be the FAME project came up already six or seven years ago, even before I joined AEGEE. At the beginning there were two things that I noticed: I would probably never have known many great songs written in languages other than English if my friends from abroad hadn’t introduced them to me. And, feeling more and more European, I became aware of the fact that there are not really any famous pop songs dealing with Europe or aspects of the European integration, neither are songs that make the European flag appear in a music video clip (which I believe it deserves, just as the US flag, for instance).

Connecting those two things, the basic idea for this project was born, and after I joined AEGEE I felt our association was the perfect environment to make it possible. Together with other AEGEE members (at this place I should not forget to mention Alperen Yavuz, Rüya Beril and Dawid Sierzant), the idea was then further developed during the “European Ideas Factory” of AEGEE-Europe which took place in Gliwice in 2010. Unfortunately, we never managed to start off with the project. But I believe it is never too late for a good idea, so now the time has finally come.

Which is the main aim of the project? Would you like to promote European integration through music?

Yes, that’s the main aim indeed – and music is a perfect tool to spread Europtimism, because everyone listens to music and it can be used in many ways. But even more than that, FAME also wants to foster the variety of European languages and musical traditions. Music is an important part of our culture, but at the same time it also carries culture, e.g. languages, typical sounds, rhythms, instruments or dances, and thus tells stories.

Besides that, worldwide hits such as Dragostea din tei or Gangnam style prove that it is not crucial to understand the songs’ lyrics if the tune is catchy enough, so why does the English language have to be so dominant in modern pop music? Personally, I would also love to hear more non-English music in the clubs during AEGEE events, but that’s a different topic…

And which are the type of musical creations you would like to see in this project? 

Everything is possible, as long as the songs fulfill two criteria:

1. The lyrics have to be written in at least two European languages;
2. and they have to deal with Europe or any aspect of the European integration in a positive or constructive way, taking AEGEE’s values and mission into account.

The rest is open to the creativity of our participants. The “perfect” FAME song would actually combine those two criteria and even refer to it in the way it is produced. To give an example: A love song ballad about – let’s say – a Russian and a Spanish who meet in Greece. It could be a duet between the two of them with the verses sung in Russian and Spanish and the chorus in Greek, using the balalaika and flamenco guitar and combining it with some syrtaki-style rhythm.

Or, to give another (less complex) example: a hip hop song about the EU’s founding father Jean Monnet, using sound samples from a speech. Or a hard rock song complaining about still existing borders in Europe that need to be overcome. You see, there is lots of space for the FAME participants to unleash their creativity.

Each song will be a little project on its own, providing the greatest possible freedom for the participants (i.e. songwriters, musicians, producers etc.) within the basic guidelines of FAME, as well as ensuring an individual sound.

Do you look for members who are experienced in music, or any AEGEE member can join?

Indeed there are many ways to contribute for every AEGEE member, even if you’re completely non-musical. Of course we need songwriters, musicians and singers, too. But in order to promote the songs in a proper way, many more things have to be done. An important aspect of the project will be the production of video clips for the songs – therefore we need e.g. screenplay writers, film editors, actors and actresses, costume designers and many more.

Of course this also depends on the money we’ll be able to raise, thus we also need people experienced in fundraising as well as experts for social media and viral marketing. This project definitely has the potential to become really huge, but even if it attracts only a few AEGEE members and if we have no money at all, it can still be realized on a small scale. In fact it could be just me recording a little song at home with my guitar, but of course it would be so much more awesome to get dozens of AEGEE people from all over Europe involved.

As you have mentioned, the project could not be possible some years ago in your first attempt. Why was it?

When we developed the project during the “European Ideas Factory”, we were all very enthusiastic, but quite soon we realized that we were too busy with other stuff, inside and outside of AEGEE. Even though we had already started promoting the project within AEGEE, it was still not too late to stop it without harming anybody. Concerning my personal situation, from April I will be out of the AEGEE-Düsseldorf board after three years as its president, so now there is some space for me to dedicate myself to the European level of AEGEE.

And why do you think AEGEE needs a project related to music?

Because there is none yet, at least not such a big one, and I know many AEGEE members who make music and would certainly like to join such a project. Whenever I told somebody about FAME in the past, the reactions were very positive. Plus, the idea behind this project perfectly matches the “Spreading Europtimism” part of the new Strategic Plan.

Do you expect to make it an official AEGEE project?

That would be great, but of course it depends a lot on the project team I’m about to start forming. As I said above, I believe that FAME has the potential to become a big project, and it would be awesome to have it as an official project of AEGEE-Europe. But step by step, first let’s see if anybody is interested in joining me in the project team.

And have you already found some members interested in it?

Indeed the first participants already joined and started working on a song, however in the project team I am currently the only one. But it’s been just two days now since the project was officially made public within the AEGEE world by sending the open call for team members via ANNOUNCE-L, so I’m expecting the first applications during the next days.

Apart from that, it’s definitely nice to see that the number of “likes” for the Facebook page as well as the number of subscribers to the mailing list FAME-INFO-L has begun to grow constantly. So I assume there must be a general interest in this project.

So, as soon as you have your first team members, which are your first plans going to be? Will we see the FAME project in Patra?

I hope we will be able to get into work very soon: preparing fundraising activities, making the project known among AEGEE members, building up a communication infrastructure, starting to cooperate with other bodies in AEGEE, sending out a first open call for songs, and so on.

Without promising too much, I can say that the plan is indeed to release a first FAME song including a videoclip already in April! I mentioned above that some people are currently working on a song, and I am confident that the final result will be impressive. I hope that the song will also help to make the FAME project popular among AEGEE members, and it would be great to present the video clip at the AGORA and maybe even play the song during the parties. But that depends on the Chair Team and the local organisers, of course..

Written by Anna Gumbau, AEGEE-Barcelona/AEGEE-Leuven

Have you ever wondered how many languages are spoken throughout Europe? Do you enjoy listening to other foreign languages despite the fact that you don’t understand a word of them? Have you ever wanted to be involved in a linguistic tandem? If you answered yes to one of these questions, you would have enjoyed one of the events of the European Day of Languages (EDL). EDL is present in AEGEE since 2001, this year events were organised by 17 different AEGEE antennae thoughout our network.

“Learn 6 languages in 90 minutes” was the activity which was organized by AEGEE-Kaiserslautern.

This edition of the EDL had more than 22 languages involved, including 3 non-European languages, and more than 700 participants from 26 nationalities. If all these activities had been held in one place, it would have definitely been impossible to choose only one to attend: basic language presentations were carried out by AEGEE-Beograd, AEGEE-Voronezh and others; movies in original version were projected in AEGEE-Padova and AEGEE-Moskva; the typical APErasmus from AEGEE-Bergamo concluded with a native speaking video; language and cultural stereotype quizzes were held in AEGEE-Roma and AEGEE-Milano; typical food and drinks from each country plus linguistic tandems were organized by AEGEE-Las Palmas and AEGEE-A Coruña; “Learn 6 languages in 90 minutes” was the activity from AEGEE-Kaiserlautern; AEGEE-Torino decided to sing in different languages, and finally AEGEE-Kraków organized a city game with native speakers. So you see, it would have been difficult, to pick just one interesting workshop…

AEGEE-Voronezh organized some cultural and linguistic presentations.

It is great to see that the European Day of Languages has had this huge affluence of participants; above all, these events are a way of making people more aware of the linguistic stereotypes –and consequently the cultural ones– in order to break them and make people more tolerant towards each other. Looking back at all theese events, we can conclude that the 2013 edition of the EDL was a success.

We, the LWG, would like to thank locals who have joined EDL 2013 –you’ve been keeping this activity alive!– and we would like to encourage the whole Network to participate in the new edition in Autumn 2014.

If you are wondering why AEGEE celebrates the EDL in November instead of September – which is when the Council of Europe celebrates it – we’ll tell you: as many students are still having their holidays in September, AEGEE decided to change the dates to make sure that everybody could attend the activities. Even so, every local chooses their own dates and makes their activities last even for a week!

Then, what can you do if having read all this you realize that you are as passionate as we are about languages? You can get to know the Language Working Group! We can bring you in touch with people who are also crazily in love with this topic. So don’t hesitate; cheer up and join us!

Written by Núria Fenoll Domingo, AEGEE-Tarragona & Language Working Group member

AEGEE is, as you all know, spread all over Europe in locals in which numerous different languages are spoken. It is quite common to find expressions in these languages mentioning the nationality or name of a fellow AEGEE country somewhere in Europe.

If you are trying to quit doing drugs or stop smoking, people in Denmark will suggest you to “take a cold Turkish” which actually does not have anything to do with the country at all, even though Turkish people do smoke a lot.

The expression is one of numerous idioms containing other nationalities when trying to describe something. In this case it derives from the English expression “cold Turkey” which explains getting goosebumps or trying to quit a bad habit and for some strange reason this has been changed into an expression containing Turkey (the country), not turkey (the bird).  If we look at other countries we find that France especially is included in many expressions such as “French kiss” which is kissing with tongue, “pardon my French” which is said when someone excuses themselves for using bad words or “despedirse a la francesa” which is Spanish and explains whenever a person leaves without saying goodbye.

Another popular country that is included in expressions is Sweden with for example, in the Spanish language: “hacerse el sueco” means pretending NOT to understand what a person is saying to you even though you completely understand. This is one of the expressions that actually makes sense to me. Typically if you think of a Swedish person, you would think of a person with blond hair which is the ultimate sign that says I-am-not-Spanish. In fact I (Danish blonde girl) was “used” several times during my Erasmus in Madrid, in connection with pretending that we did not understand what for example, some annoying promoter was saying to us or when doing “botellon” which means drinking in public which is illegal in Spain where the excuse was: “We have you, we will just pretend we don’t understand or did not know about the rule if they approach us.” Staying on the topic regarding drinking we find yet another expression with nationalities, if we go back to Denmark which is “drinking like a Swedish” which means drinking a lot. This saying brings smiles on the lips in our tiny country of 5.5 million people because even though people enjoy using the expression they also believe that the level of alcohol consumption is much higher among the Danish Vikings than in their neighbouring country across the bridge.

I tried to look for expressions using Denmark’s other neighbouring country Germany, but have yet to encounter an expression mentioning the Germans. However, if you look at Germany’s neighbour the Netherlands you get bombarded with different expressions including the Dutch. Staying in the genre of consumption we have both “Dutch courage” which is said when someone has gained courage through drinking alcohol and “going Dutch” or “Dutch treat” are expressions explaining when people pay separately for themselves when going out to dinner. Staying in the money-related area we find that you use the idiom “Dutch auction” to explain an auction in which a price reduction is made from the original price until someone buys it, or to explain that something is changed until it is accepted by everyone. Expressions that need a bit more explanation from our Dutch AEGEE members are sayings such as “Dutch uncle” which is a person who gives an unwelcome advice or “Dutch wife” which peculiarly refers to a long pillow or a hot water bottle. The last expression we find with the Netherlands, and to be listed in this article, is “double Dutch” which means that something is incomprehensible.

All these are examples of expressions in Spanish, Danish and English that are included in the daily life of numerous people all over the world in most cases without wondering why. I am sure that it will be possible to find similar sayings in languages such as Dutch, German and Hungarian but I do not, unfortunately, speak those languages. My encouragement to you is to consider which nationalities are included in sayings in your language, and whether or not they make any sense.

Written by Patricia Anthony, AEGEE-København

Photo by Oksana Lazda