Happy New Year to all my friends around the world!

My calendar for next year – guess where!

In recognition of the multilingual and muliticultural nature of the world of blogging, I’m bringing you an interesting article on the word for “friend” from the Oxford Words blog.

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From ‘amigo’ to ‘ven’: a mapping of ‘friend’ around the world

via From ‘amigo’ to ‘ven’: a mapping of ‘friend’ around the world | OxfordWords blog.

If you’ve ever travelled to a country in which you don’t speak the language, you’re probably aware that there are always a few key vocabulary words and phrases travel guides recommend you stock up on. I don’t speak [insert language]… Where is the restroom?… Help… Thank you. We would offer an additional word to learn—one that carries a cultural capital large enough to warrant knowing its translation in every language: friend.

Dating as far back as Old English friend is part of the inherited vocabulary of Germanic and has been in use ever since the Anglo-Saxons arrived in England. In the spirit of global camaraderie, and to celebrate the international days of friendship, we invite you to explore how people all over the world refer to those with whom they share a mutual like.

Click on the image below to explore the different words for ‘friend’ around the world.

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via From ‘amigo’ to ‘ven’: a mapping of ‘friend’ around the world | OxfordWords blog.