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Lithuanian Out Loud is a podcast series designed for fans of the Lithuanian language. Come along with native Lithuanian author/lawyer Raminta and her North-American husband, Jack. They'll teach you Lithuanian along with tidbits about the history and culture of Raminta's homeland - Lietuva!

Music: Vieux Farka Toure - Ana {Pocket Remix} by pocketproductions (c) copyright 2007 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/pocketproductions/8916 Ft: Pocket (Richard Jankovich)

 

Oct 20, 2007

In 2003, in front of international reporters, a Lithuanian ex-President said that he was as calm as a Belgian.  This caused quite a stir in Belgium.  This is a common saying in Lithuania but Belgians had no idea another nation thought of them as being calm.  What did they do to deserve this recognition for calmness?  Nobody knows.  By the way, the name Raminta also comes from the root word for “calm" in Lithuanian.  The next time you want to say you’re as cool as a cucumber…just say, “Aš ramus, kaip Belgas."  I’m as calm as a Belgian.

ramus                                  
calm

note: in Lithuanian, names of nations are capitalized; nationalities are not.  Also, Lithuanians often drop the verb, "to be" or "būti."  You can say, "Ji yra Dovilė" - "She is Dovilė," or "Jis yra Andrius" - "He is Andrius."  But it's okay to say, "Ji Dovilė" or "Jis Andrius."

America                              
Amerika

England                               
Anglija

Lithuania                             
Lietuva

Poland                                
Lenkija

Italy                                    
Italija

Russia                                 
Rusija

Japan                                  
Japonija

Latvia                                  
Latvija

males:

I’m American                      
aš amerikietis

I’m English                         
aš anglas

I’m Lithuanian                    
aš lietuvis

I’m Polish                          
aš lenkas

I’m Italian                         
aš italas

I’m Russian                       
aš rusas

I’m Japanese                     
aš japonas

I’m Latvian                        
aš latvis

females:

I’m American                     
aš amerikietė

I’m English                        
aš anglė

I’m Lithuanian                   
aš lietuvė

I’m Polish                         
aš lenkė

I’m Italian                        
aš italė

I’m Russian                      
aš rusė

I’m Japanese                    
aš japonė

I’m Latvian                       
aš latvė