Lithuanian Out Loud 0028 - Aš Mokausi Lietuviškai I Am Studying Lithuanian

Oct 25, 2007

Have you ever looked at the ten litas or dešimt litų bank note, seen the pilots and the airplane and wondered what it’s all about?  The pilots are Lithuanian national heroes (Steponas Darius and Stasys Girenas).  They were Lithuanian emigrants to the United States and on 15 July 1933 they flew across the Atlantic Ocean covering 6,411 kilometers without landing.  A total of 37 hours, 11 minutes in the air.  This was also the first ever transatlantic air mail consignment in history.
The aircraft was painted bright orange and was named Lituanica, the latin name for Lithuania.
Sadly, two days after a successful Atlantic crossing, the aircraft crashed in Germany killing the two pilots and destroying the aircraft.  Some claim it was shot down by German forces.  The wreckage can still be viewed today at the Vytautas The Great War Museum in Kaunas.

Today we want to get away from grammar just a bit and teach you some common phrases that you should be able to pop out of your mouth when you need them.

please repeat                                
prašom pakartoti

I’m sorry, but I only understand a little Lithuanian         
Atsiprašau bet aš labai mažai suprantu lietuviškai

I’m studying Lithuanian                 
Aš mokausi lietuviškai

to study, or to learn                       
mokytis

Keep in mind, the sentence, Aš mokausi lietuviškai, can be translated as, I study Lithuanian or I’m studying Lithuanian