Do you know Finnish kids still learned to write in cursive until 2016? Generally, they used to write like the third column to the left in these photos:
In this series, we find out dictionary form and meaning of words using Verbix and Sanakirja.org, as well as examine why they were transformed. The why will be in pink and the meaning in purple.
Note that word order in songs may be different from the conventional order for rhetorical effect. As my translation at the end aims for easy comprehension, words could be rearranged.
In this series, we find out dictionary form of transformed content words by using Verbix and Sanakirja.org, as well as why they were transformed. The why will be in pink. Words may also be arranged differently compared to the conventional order for rhetorical effect, so they may be rearranged. A translation as clear as possible is provided after each stanza.
Chorus:
Anna mulle tähtitaivas, anna valo pimeään
Anna mulle aamurusko, anna usko elämään
Anna mulle rohkeutta, että jaksan huomiseen
Anna edes vähän, rakkautta tähän
Yksinäiseen sydämeen
antaa v. imperative sing. - mä pron. minä in spoken lang. + suffix "to" - tähtitaivas n. - valo n. - pimeä n. suffix "to"
aamurusko n. - usko n. - elämä suffix "to"
rohkeus n. unspecified amount - jaksaa v. of "minä" - huominen n. suffix "until"
Katri Helena is so far the only Finnish singer that matches my taste. As I'm now bored with other Finnish learning games and methods, let's learn by analyzing her songs lyrics. This series could be long because she has released 480 songs in her 70 years' career. What an industrious artist!
Let's start with a familiar melody covered in many languages: Million Roses.
I'll find dictionary form of nouns and verbs by using Verbix, as well as why they were transformed. The why will be in pink. Words are also arranged differently compared to the conventional order for rhetorical effect, so I'll rearrange them.
Miljoona Ruusua - Katri Helena
Taas ruusut käy kukkimaan, tuoksua täynnä on maa
Mietteeni sinne taas vie, missä on ruusuinen tie
Nuoruuden rakkaus on kaunis ja koskematon
Katseet ne kertovat vain, katseestas onnen mä sain
Are you looking for free Finnish listening resources as an intermediate learner?
Some hero behind YouTube channel JSToJestJaSam has transcribed and translated a few Peppa Pig episodes to make you and me, desperate learners, some comprehensible audio input.
Below is 1 of 12 current videos on this channel:
I did hope they'd make some more. But after watching several episodes, I was reminded that we never need tons of different materials to learn a language. Progress comes from...
The default interface language on Google Translate is English. It switches to your Google account's language once you're signed in. If you want to change only this site language and maintain your account's language on other sites, I just discovered the trick!
How to Change Interface Language on Google Translate by Editing URL
Lychee, summer sweetness in Vietnam. Photo: Silvia Nguyen.
I'm very pleased with how this photo turned out. So clean and minimal. It also has a visual rhythm.
I felt the need to shoot some photos of lychee this summer, because next summer and some years later I may not be here to enjoy the sweet scent and taste of lychee anymore...
Let me introduce you to the paras dictionary for Finnish learners!
Suomen kielen sanakirja muuttajille (2010) by Anne Saarikalle and Johanna Vilkuna is the BEST because it applies the innovative method of feeding learners comprehensible input. All the words are explained in plain Finnish. It enables learners with a some basic vocabulary to GUESS, which makes learning so much fun. Learning new words turns into a puzzle game, which can be enjoyed either alone or with some study buddies. The fun not only motivates learners to learn regularly but more importantly helps new information stick better as well.
Anger flooded my chest. Frustration blurred my eyes. They sting.
But I just felt them without saying or doing anything. Tears were rising. My respiratory organs struggled to pump air. No words were coming.
Then I left the scene. Leaving is always the best first-aid for emotional injuries.
Then I breathed. Angry thoughts were still screaming. But just after about 10 minutes, they died out. The dark clouds have flown away, leaving behind a calm sad sky.
"You are already what you want to become." - Thich Nhat Hanh
These days, I've been reading only Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet. It's so packed with insights that I feel like I don't need to read any other book.
