Languages are a tricky thing, and if you're a true language lover like us, you probably agree. The list is long, and depending on the language you're learning and on your mother tongue, you might have to deal with prepositions, tons of new vocabulary, pronunciation, verb conjugation, adjectives, pronouns, direct and indirect object, and so on. Overwhelming, yes. But don't worry we won't confuse you (even more) with some boring article about linguistics. Actually, we just want to make your life easier, that's why this week we have compiled some articles dealing with those little tricky mistakes that give us a headache everytime we learn a new language.

Each language is different and unique, and so are the little problems we encounter along the way. It all depends on your native language; somehow, if you don't use articles (like Russians) you might have a problem when dealing with articles in other languages. On the other hand, Frenchs do use articles, however, they have some issues with that silent H of theirs (silent H?! Why having a silent letter? Isn't it a bit pointless?). So, according to the French logic: H or no H what's the difference? I ate potatoes, I hate potatoes, almost the same. Prepositions might be a bit of a headache as well, especially if one little mistake of yours can dramatically change the meaning of a sentence or a word. Germans love prepositions, simply add one preposition as prefix and bum! Completely different meaning. Take for example, "ausbauen" and "abbauen", so similar in their spelling, such a different meaning... There are also the despised false friends (or should we say enemies), for example "become" and bekommen... Wanna know more about them? Read our articles then!

Sweden: English

Russia: English | Pусский

France: English | Français

Germany: English | Deutsch

The reasons why Apple could not sell iPhones in Japan became a controversial topic in America. In fact, I don’t know how many times I heard business people say that breaking into the Japanese market is like a labyrinth. GAP, Footlocker and Facebook were some of the symbolic failures and now the iPhone is facing the same destiny. Why is the iPhone having such a hard time in Japan?

Listed below are some of the key factors:

1. Too bulky: Japanese love small and slim gadgets!
2. Japanese cell-phone technology is about 5 years more advanced, meaning iPhone is nothing special. For example, the iPhone lacks a video camera feature.
3. Monthly rate is too high because the iPhone uses a different communication standard. (Attention: Feb. 2009 iPhone decided to reduce monthly price.)
4. Very hard to type Japanese characters on touch-screen because of their original transformation writing system.
5. Not efficient at all that you need both-hands to use it. According to a survey, Japanese use cell-phones the most in trains so they need to use only one-hand as the trains are so crowded.
6. Japanese love American culture but do not trust American products. They trust only Japanese products or German products.
7. iPhones do not look fashionable especially for Japanese women. They love more kawaii (cute) and feminine goods.

In summary: iPhone is cool, but not practical for Japanese!

But let’s get back to the main topic. Here are the applications that Japanese would like to have in their iPhones.

1. Stop Karoshi (death from overwork) by iPhone sensor!
   Japanese are well known to work until midnight. But it’s time to slow down the pace and enjoy their lives. Bosses would check the degree of tiredness of each employee by iPhone sensor! As soon as the alert goes off, they must let employees take off right away.
2. Stop suicides by iPhone detection!
   Unfortunately, Japan has one of the highest suicide rates in the world. More than 30,000 people commit suicide every year and the number dramatically increased right after the start of the economic crisis. This would detect early warning signs.
3. Finding capsule and love hotels!
   Japan has a variety of hotels with different purposes from capsule hotels to love hotels with different prices, features and services. Love hotels are used mainly by couples looking for some extra privacy, so in a small cramped country like Japan, this type of business will never go away. If you just touch i-phone then, you would see all suitable hotels including availability and pricing in your vicinity!
4. Checking Japanese real “yes” meaning!
   If a Japanese answers back “yes” to you, it may mean “yes”, but it sometimes means “no”! If you need to know the real truth, iPhone detection would help to easily understand what they want!

なぜiPhoneは日本で売れないのか？がアメリカで議論を呼びました。実際、日本のマーケットに進出するのは迷路の中に迷い込んでいるみたいだとビジネスマンたちが嘆いているのを何度も耳にしました。GAP、Footlocker 、 Facebookなどはその失敗例の代表ともいえましょう。iPhoneも残念ながら同じ運命をたどっています。なぜそんなに日本のマーケット進出は難しいのでしょうか？

考えられる理由は以下の通りです:

1. iPhoneは重量があり過ぎです。日本人はスリムな小物を好みます。
2. よく日本の携帯電話の技術はすでにアメリカより５年発達していると言われています。なのでiPhoneは特に際立ったアイテムではなく、実際ビデオカメラなどの機能さえついていないのが現状です。
3. コミュニケーションネットワークが違う故に起こる月々の高額支払い。（2009年２月にソフトバンクは月々支払いを大幅に値下げしました。）
4. 日本語を入力するときのあの独特の変換機能はiPhoneのタッチスクリーンでは非常に使いにくいのです。
5. iPhoneは両手で持たなくてはいけないのですが、これはあまりに効率が悪すぎます。というのも日本人が一番携帯を使うのは電車の中でだという調査が出ています。なので日本の混雑した電車で携帯を使いこなすには片手で使える携帯が必要なのです。
6. 日本人はアメリカの文化が大好きですが、アメリカ製品に対しての信用を持っていません。日本人は日本製かドイツ製のものだけ信用している傾向があります。
7. iPhoneは日本人女性にとってファッショナブルではないのです。彼女たちはもっとフェミニンなかわいい携帯がすきなのです。

つまりiPhoneはかっこいいけど、日本人にとっては実用的ではない！ということですね。

ではメインのトピックにもどりましょう。日本人がもっていたいアプリケーションは以下の通りです。

1. 過労死を防ごう！
   日本人は夜中まで働く働き者で有名ですが、ペースを落として私生活を楽しんでいくことを学んでもいい頃合です。上司はiPhonesセンサーで従業員達の疲労度を判定し、アラームがなれば彼らに休暇を与えることができます。
2. 自殺を防ごう！
   残念ながら日本は自殺率のもっとも高い国の一つです。統計によると毎年３万人以上を自殺によって失っています。特にリーマンショック以降その数は大幅に増えています。iPhonesセンサーで自殺の早期兆候を発見できます。
3. 目的に応じたホテルを見つけよう！
   日本は目的に応じての多数のユニークなホテルが存在します。その幅はカプセルホテルからラブホテルまであり、料金やサービス形態も違ってきます。ラブホテルは日本でカップルのプライバシーを守るために使用されますが、それは日本がとても狭いからです。故にラブホテルビジネスは、けっしてなくなることはないでしょう。iPhonesを触るだけで、自分の指定距離内でのホテルとその空き状況、料金、サービス形態がひと目でわかる表が見れます。
4. 日本人のyesチェック！
   もし日本人があなたへyesと返答したのであれば、それは時に本当にyesであり、時にNoを意味します。iPhone探知機で簡単に彼らの本音を探知することができます。

Quali potrebbero essere le applicazioni migliori per l´iPhone di un Italiano?? Ecco alcuni esempi… Ti viene in mente qualcos´altro?

iCalcio
Controlla in tempo reale i risultati del campionato della serie A.

iTranslate
Di certo l´Apple Store offre già centinaia di traduttori ma con questo in particolare si può interpretare tutta la serie di gesti che noi Italiani amiamo tanto inserire nei nostri discorsi.

iBriscola & iScopa
Per la serie “giochi dal gusto retrò” ecco un connubio perfetto fra tradizione e tecnologia: Scopa e Briscola sull’iPhone!

iSunday-Reminder
Aggiungendo l’iSunday-Reminder arriverai sempre in tempo per il meraviglioso pranzo domenicale dalla nonna!

iPasta-Timer
Un´applicazione utilissima, soprattutto per tutti gli stranieri che stanno ancora cercando di cuocere un piatto di pasta senza farlo passare di cottura!

iMother-in-law-Radar
D´ora in poi sarà possible evitare il più antico conflitto familiare con il radar per suocere!

What springs to your mind if you are asked to think about iPhone Apps for Italians? These are some examples.... do you have any other suggestions?

iCalcio
You can check every single score of the Italian Series A football championship in real time.

iTranslate
Appstore already offers a wide range of Translation Apps for iPhones but with this particular one you will be able to interpret the Italian original gesture!

iBriscola & iScopa
Play the old-fashioned Italian trick-taking card games in a new modern way.

iSunday- Reminder
Add the iSunday-Reminder to wake up on time for the copious Sunday lunch at your Nonna’s place.

iPasta- Timer
A useful Italian iPhone app for foreign people that are still trying to cook pasta in a proper way!

iMother- in- law- Radar
Solve the oldest Italian family conflict. You will always be able to skip your mother-in-law with the new iRadar.

Let´s see then what would be interesting iPhone applications that would make the Swiss buy it right away.

• High German converter: No need to torture yourself trying to speak ‘High German’ (from Germany). You only have to put your iPhone close to your mouth and speak whatever you want in Swiss German, so that the iPhone will automatically convert it into High German. This way your professor, boss or even a guest from Germany will be impressed and even forget they are in a country where the dialect is the real language.
• Skiing advisor: Want to go skiing but can´t decide in which of the amazing Swiss mountains to go? iPhone is there for you! It tells you the weather conditions in any ski location in the country – and also if the places are crowded with tourists trying to learn how to ski (or if they are free for the skiing experts like you).
• Punctuality Relaxer: No need to be nervous if the bus/train/tram is more than 1 minute late! It is probably rare that a delay will happen in Switzerland, but in case it does the iPhone will help you keep you calm during these moments of extreme impatience by finding the exact tool that will keep you thinking of something else.
• Sore throat healer: If your throat still insists on hurting after a day of pronouncing Swiss words like "Chuchichäschtli" or "Chäschüechli", iPhone has the solution! With the new sore throat healer all you need is to put the iPhone close to your throat and it will do all the healing work for you. This way you will still be able to yodel on the mountains all day long.
• Swiss Army Knife version 2.0: Don´t want to carry your “Victorinox” wherever you go? The Swiss iPhone has the multi-function tool that contains everything you may need from the army knife – and even better: has a sensor to identify which tool is the right one to open/cut/saw/write/light/etc your needs!
• Cowbell locator: Did your cow lose its bell? No worries! The new Swiss iPhone comes with an application that identifies each cowbell and uses its GPS system to instantly locate the cowbell, within a radius of 850 meters. No longer will any of your cows have to remain bell-less! (Note: Please buy separately a GPS unit for each cowbell, available soon at a store near you.)

IKEA locator

If you are outside of Sweden and running low on Sill, Kalles Kaviar, Knäckebröd, Köttbullar or just feeling homesick this App will guide you to the nearest IKEA.

Fair bill-splitter

Don’t you hate when the last person to put money in for the bill just puts down what’s left. Or when someone has two beers more than everyone else and then wants to split the bill ‘equally’. No problem. Input any and all data and the App will tell you exactly what each person has to pay. To keep it fair.

Age calculator

Swedes have an odd way of telling you how old they are. Normally one would expect someone to say, “Hi. My name is Carl and I am 25 years old”. A Swedish person would say, “Hi. My name is ‘Kalle’ and I’m an 84”. It doesn’t take that long to figure out how old someone is from their year of birth (84 would be 24 or 25), but if you live in Sweden, this App is a must.

Owe-age ticker

No need to try keeping track of how many en-kronor coins you’ve borrowed, who paid for the last coffee, how expensive that last birthday gift was or who you gave a cigarette to at the party. This App keeps count and lets you know whose coffee you should pay for so that the world stays ‘fair’.

Swedenish localizer

This App is pre-programmed to ping you if you are in the vicinity of anything even remotely Swedish, like H&M, so you can point it out and say loudly. “Look, ower there is a “Hennes och Mauritz”. That is a Svedish kompani”.

Aladdin identifier

There is nothing worse than biting down on what you thought was nougat and it turns out to be rum-raisin. Take a picture of the Aladdin tray and your iPhone will mark each one with its flavour.

Is the trapphus empty?

Never have an awkward situation where you meet your neighbours in the stairwell again. Hold your iPhone to your apartment door and it will give you a green light if it is safe go out.

Ambiance behaviour mode

No need to ever lose face again. Record a 360° video of your surroundings and your iPhone will tell you what demeanour to apply so that you don’t stand out.

Blond-ID

Blond? Light-blond? Chestnut? Platinum? Don’t know the correct term for exactly that shade of blond? No problem. Take a picture and your phone will tell you instantly. (version two-point-one will also tell you the probability of drapes≠curtains)

Cheese slicer AoA

Making a wedge of cheese look like it belongs in Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a forbidden sin. Take a photo and your iPhone will tell you the correct Angle of Attack for the next slice to minimise slope.

Närmaste IKEA

Om du är utanför rikets gränser och behöver fylla på skafferiet med sill, knäckebröd, lingonsylt eller bara har hemlängtan. Denna App visar vägen till närmaste IKEA.

Dela notan rättvist

Irriterande när den siste runt bordet lägger mellanskillnaden på notan och alla andras pengar? Jobbigt när någon drack en öl mer och vill dela notan ’jämt’? Inga problem. Mata in notan i din iPhone och red ut vem som ska betala vad på öret. Rätt ska vara rätt!

Ålder och Årtal

Hur gammal sa han att hav var? 85a, 87a, 69a eller 76a? Hjärngympa varje gång. Inte längre. Knappa in årtal och få ut åldern direkt!

Rättviseräknare

Enkelt sätt att hålla koll på vem som lånade två kronor förra lunchen, hur många cigg som du snyltade på festen, hur dyr present du fick av någon eller vem som bjöd på kaffe sist. Det viktiga är att rätt ska vara rätt.

Svenkshets lokaliserare

Du blir pingad så fort du är i närheten av någonting verkligt svenskt så du kan säga högt och tydligt till alla icke-svenskar, “Look, ower there is a “Hennes och Mauritz”. That is a Svedish kompani”.

Vilken Aladdin-smak är detta?

Hemskt är det när man tänker njuta av en mumsig bit choklad och har fått sig en rom-russin bara för att beskrivningen var borta. Aldrig mer. Ta en bild på chokladen och alla bitarna identifieras.

Är trapphuset tomt?

Möt aldrig dina grannar i trapphuset igen. Håll upp din iPhone mot dörren och inom en sekund får du grönt ljus om trapphuset är tomt.

Miljö- och beteendeanalys

Ny miljö och du vet inte hur du ska bete dig? Stå i kö, eller sitta och vänta? Spela in en 360° video av din omgivning och din iPhone ger dig instruktioner på hur du ska föra dig så det inte märks att du inte har en aning.

Blond-ID

Blond? Ljus-blond? Platina? Mörk-blond? Ta en bild så kommer din iPhone ge dig den korrekta benämningen av hårfärgen. (version två-punkt-ett visar även med vilken sannolikhet som gardinerna≠mattan)

Anfallsvinkel på osthyveln

Att osten ser ut som att den är hemmahörande i Garmisch-Partenkirchen är en dödssynd. Ta en bild och få markerat var du ska hyvla för att minimera ostens lutning.

Svensk-engelskt Lexikon

Slå upp ord och översättningar utan att behöva släpa runt på ett tryckt svensk-engelskt lexikon men inte behöva gå online!
Det svensk-engelska lexikonet för iPhone finns att ladda ner gratis från iTunes.

If a Latin American had the opportunity to design an iPhone, which functions would he add? What are those simple applications that would make our life easier? After some time reflecting about the subject, I managed to compile some of the applications, that according to me, are essential for every Latin American.

The number of iPhone tools is vast, so much so that at times it is difficult to define if it is a phone with a camera, a camera with internet or a laptop with a phone. Some years ago (before they actually existed) nobody really thought that cellphones were a necessity, but later we heard about them, we bought them, and got attached to the point that they are almost an extension of our own hand. So it is very probable that in the (near?) future we would not be able to live without the following applications:

• Interactive Excuse Generator
  In Latin America excuses are an important part of our lives, we use them at work, in the classroom, with our friends, with our family, that is, they are part of our culture. So the more excuses we know the better, you never know when you are going to need one.
• Fake ID Printer
  Wouldn’t it be great to be able to print that fake ID you needed so badly right when you need it? Don’t take me wrong, we respect hierarchy... as long as we get to enjoy the perks of it. This application would give us that little push we need to reach a higher level on the hierarchical ladder. It would come in handy if you need to be of legal age for a night, if you need to be on a certain VIP list or if you need to pass for a police officer or for an actor or for a member of congress, it’s all possible.
• Last Minute Planner
  As we all know, in Latin America we live in the present and tomorrow doesn’t exist, unless we need to postpone something. We live without worrying about what the future holds, and without much planning. For that reason it would be actually very useful to have a data base with possible last minute plans according to situation, weather or time of the day. For example: “Sunny day. Beach. GO.” “Anna alone at home. GO.” “Beer 50% off. BUY.”
• Time Converter
  We have currency converters, then why not having time converters? The notion of time is not the same for everybody, thus, when Latin Americans say that they’ll be there at six, they really mean half an hour or probably an hour later. This simple application would once and for all get rid of the stigma of the unpunctual Latin American, and would end many time-related misunderstandings.
• The macho-meter
  The word macho belongs to Spanish speakers, and we have kindly lent it to many other languages. Having that into account it is easy to imagine that being a “macho” is almost a life style for Latino guys. There even are some mysterious rules and parameters that apparently determine the level of manliness. So if you don’t wish to send the wrong signal or if you are one of those sensitive guys that would like to know where the limit between sensitivity and sissyness is, this might be the right application for you.
• The interactive mirror
  With the time plastic surgery seems to be gaining more ground in Latin America. Thanks to beauty contests and supermodels, perfection is now the standard. Many Latinas would only dream about an interactive mirror that allows them to retouch those features they dislike about themselves. This application would turn anybody into a Valeria Mazza in only a matter of seconds.

You might think that some of these applications are a bit wacky, but as you all know, technology develops at a blinding pace. There are no limits to imagination; nothing is too absurd or too wild for iPhone or for Apple’s creative team. So, in a world where anything is possible, we shouldn’t be surprised if some high executive reads this article and takes it seriously.

Si un latinoamericano tuviera la oportunidad de diseñar un Iphone, ¿qué funciones le agregaría? ¿Cuáles son esas pequeñas aplicaciones que nos harían la vida más fácil? Luego de algunos minutos de reflexión logré compilar algunas aplicaciones que considero “imprescindibles” para todo latinoamericano.

Las funciones del Iphone son tantas que a veces es difícil definir si es un teléfono con cámara, una cámara con internet o una portátil con teléfono. Hace unos cuantos años o antes de que existieran, nadie pensaba que los celulares fueran una necesidad indispensable, hasta que escuchamos de ellos, los compramos y nos apegamos de tal forma que ahora parecen haberse convertido en una extensión de nuestra mano. Así que en un futuro (¿quizá cercano?), tampoco podremos vivir sin las siguientes aplicaciones:

• Generador interactivo de excusas
  En Latinoamérica las excusas son parte importante de nuestra vida, las usamos en el trabajo, en clase, con los amigos, con la familia, en fin, son parte de nuestra idiosincrasia. Mientras más excusas conozcamos, mejor. Nunca se sabe cuándo necesitaremos una.
• Impresora de identificaciones
  Falsas sería fantástico poder imprimir esa identificación que necesitamos en el momento en que la necesitamos. Los latinoamericanos respetamos la jerarquía, siempre y cuando nos beneficiemos de ella y esta aplicación simplemente nos daría un “empojuncito” en la escala jerárquica; p. ej. si necesitamos ser mayores de edad por una noche, tener cierto estatus VIP, hacernos pasar por policías o por actores de cine o por miembros del congreso, todo es posible.
• Organizador de planes de último minuto
  Como sabemos en Latinoamérica vivimos el momento, el mañana no existe, excepto cuando queremos posponer obligaciones. Vivimos sin preocuparnos por el mañana y con poca planificación. Por eso sería increíblemente útil tener siempre a la mano una base de datos con posibles planes de último minuto determinados por la situación, el clima o la hora del día; p. ej.: “Día soleado. Playa. IR”. “Ana sola en casa. IR”. “Cerveza en oferta. COMPRAR”.
• El conversor de horas
  Si tenemos conversores de moneda, ¿por qué no tener conversores de horas? No todos compartimos la misma noción del tiempo, pues cuando los latinoamericanos decimos que vamos a estar en un lugar a las seis, en realidad queremos decir que vamos a llegar media o incluso una hora después. Esta maravillosa aplicación acabaría con el estigma del latinoamericano impuntual y así como con muchos malentendidos culturales.
• El medidor de hombría
  La palabra macho le pertenece al idioma español, nosotros le dimos forma y se la prestamos al resto de los idiomas. Para los hombres latinos ser macho es casi un estilo de vida, hay incluso una serie reglas y parámetros misteriosos que aparentemente determinan el nivel de hombría. Así que si no deseas enviar las señales erradas o si eres alguien sensible que quisiera conocer el límite entre sensibilidad y blandeza esta aplicación podría ser para ti.
• El espejo interactivo
  La cirugía estética gana cada vez más terreno en Latinoamérica, gracias a los concursos de belleza y a las supermodelos la perfección es ahora el estándar. Por ello, nada mejor que un espejo interactivo para las latinas, con el cual cada quien podría retocar lo que no le guste y en cuestión de segundos cualquiera podría convertirse en una Valeria Mazza.

Puede que estas aplicaciones suenen algo descabelladas para algunos, pero como es bien sabido la tecnología avanza a una velocidad abrumadora, por lo tanto no hay límites para la imaginación, nada es demasiado absurdo ni demasiado extremo para un Iphone o para los creativos de Apple. Entonces, en este mundo de lo posible, no debemos extrañarnos si algún ejecutivo importante lee este artículo y lo toma en serio.