Where’s it gone?!

Astute readers may have noticed a few missing pages recently, and today almost all the “Cunning Linguist” content has been removed from the old paid hosts.

Moving to a country where a foreign language is spoken and becoming part of the “language education industry” has provided many new insights. It feels appropriate to start a fresh chapter online to reflect this. Having been impressed with WordPress on another writing project, transferring the old content here for archival seemed the natural solution.

There may be a few hiccups on the RSS feed and Twitter over the next couple of days while the new configuration settles in. Thank you for bearing with the site through these changes. In early 2010 I hope to launch a new blog, continuing what was started here. I hope to share what I’ve learned and provide a more informed perspective. Updates will be posted here – don’t forget to bookmark the site, subscribe to the RSS feed, follow on Twitter or sign up for e-mail updates!

Tip: Have faith

How do you learn a language? The same way you learned to walk… one step at a time. There are no magic shoes (no matter what the shoe shop assistant may tell you). There is no substitute for being brave enough to take a step, achieving a little, soon wobbling and then falling over.

FCO and Accenture papers on China released today

UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband launched a new framework today for the development of our national relationship with China. The report highlights issues such as sustainable development, the environment and China’s increasing influence on the global stage. You can read or download the report on the FCO website, or see pictures from the Manchester event on Flickr.

Global management consultancy, technology and outsourcing firm Accenture also released a paper on China today. The market research report follows a Chinese government initiative to achieve accreditation for and develop China’s outsourcing and services industry, and has been produced with assistance from the China Council of International Investment Promotion (CCIIP). You can read and download the report from the Accenture website.

Apologies for the recent radio silence; I’m on a really intensive training course at the moment which basically consumes your whole life, 24×7, for a month. Am hoping normal service will be resumed in early February!

We wish you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

The supermarket shelves have been stacked with mince pies for months, the carol muzak is beginning to wear out, and the decorations have been in the mall so long nobody notices them any more. It must be time for Christmas!! Somehow, despite the advanced warning and good intentions, those cards you bought weeks ago are still waiting to be written.

It’d be great to put something clever in them, for your friends from language class or the native speakers you’ve met through the year. Fear not, my posting-deadline challenged friends! Here is a round-up of key festive phrases in Japanese and Mandarin.