02/24/2006 - 02/25/2006

new magazine to target central and eastern europeans

The TNT, usually associated with Australian, New Zealand and South African workers in the UK, is branching out to target Central and Eastern European readers. The TNT Group has announced today the launch of Fusion Magazine, a brand new, free weekly magazine targeting Eastern Europeans living and working in London.

The new title will be available from 28 February 2006 and will target eight Eastern and Central European countries that joined the EU in May 2004 – Poland, Lithuania, Slovakia, Latvia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Estonia and Slovenia. It is aimed at young, ambitious English speaking readers.

"bushisms" help boost english language

The one-millionth word is expected to enter the English language sometime this summer. Chances are that the source might be none other than President George W. Bush.

Bush's wayward way with words is legendary. As Chicago lawyer Sue Zalewski put it: "I know that, technically, he's not an idiot. But the way he says things can really use some work." Even short structures trouble him: "Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning?" And, according to Jacob Weisberg - who has edited four collections of the president's gaffes - he uttered the immortal: "It is clear our nation is reliant upon big foreign oil. More and more of our imports come from overseas."

english to lose world dominance

English Next, a report published by the British Council states that the decades-long predominance of English as the top language for international communications may fade within the foreseeable future, due to multiple international, economic, technological and cultural changes. A weaker position for English as the language of the world market could, in turn, lessen the competitive advantage of the UK and the United States.

The study presented by David Graddol concludes that "monoglot English graduates face a bleak economic future as qualified multilingual youngsters from other countries are proving to have a competitive advantage over their British counterparts in global companies and organisations."

economist launch chinese edition of world in 2006

The Economist launched the Chinese-language edition of the World in 2006, an annual publication renowned for its forecasts and predictions worldwide, in Beijing Thursday.

The total circulation for the Chinese edition of the World in 2006 will be 55,000, of which a large portion will be distributed to decision-makers in both state-owned enterprises and private-sector companies. The remaining portion will be sold on newsstands nationwide.

word of the day: munificent

munificent \myoo-NIF-i-suhnt\, adjective:
Very liberal in giving or bestowing; very generous; lavish.

Another munificent friend has given me the most splendid reclining chair conceivable. -- George Eliot, Letters

The fleeting movement of air inside the black tunnel before and after the passage of a train made it a source of refreshment more munificent than a roaring window air conditioner. -- Norma Field, From My Grandmother's Bedside: Sketches of Postwar Tokyo