An Essay by Jeremiah Bourque Listen to this Article as a Podcast Your browser does not support the audio element. The English language really begins with two words: I am. English verb phrases are defined by two things: what is definite, and what is indefinite. Put differently, English verb phrases are defined by what is…
Other Languages
Sun Tzu: Ancient Wisdom, Relevant Today
Sun Tzu was a general in ancient China, known almost exclusively for writing the book known in the English language as “Sun Tzu’s The Art of War.” This book has been exhaustively studied by great generals of Chinese, Japanese, and in more modern times, European and American fame. Today, the book is studied to some…
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Mystic Tales from the Zohar Naso
Introduction to Idra Raba (The Great Chamber) Rabbi Shimon and his nine friends were sitting silently in The Great Chamber but their hearts were afire in the threshing field of revelations. Thus Rabbi Shimon opened and said: “A gossip walker reveals a secret, and a spirit trust person covers it” (Mishlei 11, 13) He spoke…
Learning English
A Language Carries An Entire Culture On Its Back
I like to say, language begins from personal experience. As little children, we learn from others how to identify objects around us. Repetition of words occurs in the context of what things in the family home are called. Language, however, does not end at our personal experiences. Through allegory, comparison, and, as we get older,…
Other Languages
Mystic Tales from the Zohar Mishpatim
Hasaba (the Grandfather) – Part I Rabi Hiya and Rabi Yossi met one night in the tower of Zor. They sat together around a table and were delighting in each other’s presence. Rabi Yossi said, “I am so happy that I have seen the face of the holy spirit, this delicate meaning with you, my…
Other Languages
Japanese Culture: Why “Gaijin” Isn’t So Bad After All
The Japanese concept of 内と外 (uchi to soto; inside & outside) is considered a cultural concept that perpetually keeps the 外人 (gaijin; foreigners) on the outside of society. In some sense, this is entirely correct. However, it is not the complete story. “Uchi and Soto” is, first and foremost, a linguistic concept. Take Las Vegas….
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The Present Perfect, and Present Perfect Continuous
This is my attempt to explain the present perfect tense, and the present perfect continuous tense (a.k.a. the progressive tense), without causing your head to explode. Wish me luck. The present perfect uses this structure: You have grown since the last time I saw you. My French has improved since I moved to Paris. I…
Other Languages
Fundamentals of Japanese
Hello, this is Jeremiah Bourque, head of the Japanese department of Learn Out Live. I want to tell you about the immense progress we have made in a short time, and what value we can offer our students and clients. I am just completing a unit of courses that, taken together, I call Fundamentals of…
Other Languages
IELTS Speaking Test: The Public Library Issue
I was looking into publicly available information about the types of questions on the speaking portion of the IELTS academic test, which is a test used by universities in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada to assess the English language skills of non-native speakers. The testing system was designed to test the readiness of a…
Other Languages
Samurai: Sometimes Warriors, Always Servants
The word “samurai” evolved from the word “saburai,” which itself is rooted in the verb “saburau,” meaning “to serve.” The kanji for samurai, 侍, is composed of two components, or “radicals”: a man (on the left), and a temple (on the right). Thus, just as a man pays homage to the kami (spirits/ gods) at…
Other Languages
Naruto – The Real (Life) Story
“Naruto” is not just the name of a popular ninja-centric anime, nor the name of the main character of that anime. This is the story of the “swirl” that appears left and right in that series. Naruto is also a real-life island: Naruto Island. Naruto is also a straight: the Naruto Strait, where the Seto…
