Hungry Gustav - Life Nonpareil

Newcomer's conversation with a train attendant

I was on a train back from London today and was listening to a conversation between a 'newcomer' and a train attendant.

'Newcomer':

"Could you please tell me when we will arrive in Swindon?"

Attendant:

"No problem sir, we will be there at 9:30pm."

'Newcomer':

"Sorry I'm a newcomer here. How do I know..."

Attendant:

"Don't worry, we will be calling at Swindon, and Reading and Didcot Parkway beforehand"

'Newcomer':

"Sorry sir but I'm a newcomer here. How much time is till we get there?"

Attendant:

"We will arrive at 9:30pm so it's about 40min, which is just over half an hour sir."

I sometimes feel as if not all of us live on the same planet...

Lecturing in Slovenian...

Oh my, I haven't produced a post since February! Shame on me or perhaps not so much as I've never been busier in my life. The approaching Easter break was the only thing that kept me going. We spent the break in Maribor, Slovenia and it was colorful but still at most successful. The weather showed indubitable signs of global warming with temperatures around 24 degrees Celsius and sun day in and day out. Admittedly, we didn't complain as it was absolutely wonderful. I can finally say that the rip-off Britain bucket doesn't hold water any more. We can call it rip-off Slovenia from now on with retailers openly competing for the "highest price" world cup.

Anyway, April is also the time of year when Slovenian universities are in the middle of Summer semester providing a wonderful opportunity to give a lecture or two for enthusiastic Slovenian students. I maintain close links with Prof Selih from the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the University of Ljubljana. This year was particularly momentous one since I was awarded an official Visiting Professorship for which I am sincerely grateful. However, being a Slovenian myself I feel obliged to give lectures in a Slovene language. Sounds easy? Well, it is not! I left Slovenia in 1998 to begin PhD research and have, apart from a lecture or two, never used the language for academic/professional purposes ever since. It's one thing to use spoken language yet something completely different to talk about a subject that you only have ever spoken in English. I couldn't find right words, eventually ended up explaining concepts in English and wondered how this is even possible. Language is a funny living concept that requires constant practicing to keep it alive and it has got many different shapes.