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Travel Cultures Language

OIC the Road Ahead and…

by Sheron Long on July 27, 2021

A little sailboat sets sail for an unusual and imaginary island seen in the distance, symbolizing travels to different cultures. (Image © Urvashi9/iStock)

It’s time to set sail for new horizons.

Looking Back, a World Well-Travelled

In the last 9 years, we’ve enjoyed our travels with you to fascinating and often little-known parts of the world—moving across cultures, delighting in different languages, exercising the bilingual brain, and enjoying the insights that came from the ride.

In this—OICs last post—it’s time to say a fond farewell and to wish you well. May you continue to travel the world and discover how stepping into different cultures enriches your life.

OIC’s Greatest Hits: The Boost of the Bilingual Brain

by Your friends at OIC on May 26, 2021

Sandstone sculpture of people holding balloons shaped like the human brain to illustrate how the bilingual brain lifts you up (Image © FotoEmotions/Pixabay))

5 Reminders That Learning a Second Language Lifts You Up

One of our very first posts was simply entitled Being Bilingual Builds Brain Power, and it’s been among our favorite recurring topics ever since.  Yet, the scientific benefits of a bilingual brain tell only part of the story—being bilingual also lifts up your life with enriching encounters and expanded horizons.

Since that’s what OIC Moments is all about, it’s only fitting that the grand finale of this “Greatest Hits” collection turns to posts where our bloggers highlight how learning another language opens wide the world.

French Idioms Pay Tribute to the Animal Kingdom

by Meredith Mullins on September 23, 2019

Don’t give your tongue to a cat. Why not?
© iStock/Maroznc

Becoming Bilingual: Don’t Give Your Tongue to a Cat

In the picturesque and poetic world of French idioms, the animal kingdom is well represented. Noah—and his ark—would be proud. Animals are key players in the proverbs and sayings of French culture.

Cats, lambs, sheep, ducks, dogs, elephants, wolves, chickens, cows, cockroaches, spiders, fish, rabbits, horses, rats, and giraffes all make an appearance.

Where do sheep fit in to French idioms?
© Meredith Mullins

Idioms can come from various parts of a culture—food, history, social traditions, sports, values—but many languages use animals as a basis for their idioms.

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