Linguistics

Hey Brussels Sprouts!! **Our Language Exchange Event is coming up!! 🌍** We will have five language tables: **French, Dutch, English, Spanish, and Italian.** Each table will host around **2–5 participants**, **Participants rotate every 15–30 minutes** and you are welcome to move freely between tables to practice different languages. Native speakers are especially encouraged to join and share their language and culture! **Contribution to Our Events** Starting this year, we kindly ask participants to contribute in one of the following ways: **€5** per event, or **€40** annual membership fee If you feel like supporting us beyond this, to help people who can’t afford it, you are very welcome to do so 💛 If the contribution is a concern for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly 😉 **These contributions will help us:** * Cover the annual Meetup platform fee * Encourage everyone to respect RSVPs (We experienced a high number of no-shows at several events last year, which made organization more difficult.) * We will donate 10% collected fees to support Queer oriented organisations in the end of the year. Bank details: Yifei Yang BE12363234512492 Communication: your name+ event/membership **To make sure your spot is reserved, please complete your registration once you sign up.** We will prioritize those who have completed the registration process. Thank you very much for your understanding and cooperation. **Cheers!** 🥂 Brussels Sprouts 🇧🇪🥬💚

Let's read and discuss non-fiction together. In **March** we will be discussing "Your Inner Fish: a Journey into the 3.5-Billion-Year History of the Human Body" by Neil Shubin. For more information about the book check out goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1662160.Your_Inner_Fish How it works: - 10-15min Introduction round - 1 - 1,5h Free discussion around the book - 10min selection of the next book. (We will vote between three possible books. I bring two suggestions and we select a third one from the group. So if there is a book you like to discuss feel free to put it forward.) Don't worry if you cannot finish it in time. Just join us for a coffee or tea and a good conversation. :) Happy reading!

Let's meet to write ! Schedule : 11:00 - 11:30 am : Presentation tour. Share briefly with the group about your project and your "goal of the day". 11:30 - 13:30 : Let's write ! 13:30 : Conclusion tour. Did you achieve your goal of the day ? See you soon !

* This is a Free Walking Tour. Participants are welcome to join and pay what they want at the end of the experience. Cash is appreciated but PayPal also works. * We will walk around 5 km in the centre of Brussels, please plan accordingly to the weather and your particular needs. It is also advised to arrive 10 minutes in advance so we can start on time. * The explanations will be done in English. * An informative booklet will be provided to the participants so they can get a better sense of what they are looking at during each stop. **Did you know that there is a neighbourhood in Brussels where a funeral was held to celebrate Hitler's death?** Unlike many major European cities, Brussels suffered relatively little destruction to its infrastructure and historical heritage during Nazi Germany ocupation, yet its citizens did not escape suffering. Ordinary people had to find ways not only to survive, but also to keep alive the hope that freedom would one day return. Beyond the delicious beer and perfectly cooked fries, Brussels hides many stories of resistance, bravery, and sacrifice. This tour was created to give voice to those stories, which form a compelling testimony of a city that stood tall in the face of hatred and death. Walking around the city center, I will introduce you to some of the main places that marked the **Nazi presence in Brussels.** We will explore how black markets flourished in response to scarcity and hunger, how Nazi propaganda spread through the city, and the risks some people took to shelter persecuted Jews and save them from extermination. By the end of the tour, participants will leave with a richer, more human understanding of the EU’s capital city.

**Claddagh Toastmasters of Brussels Social & ‘Write a Limerick’ Soirée** As part of the Brussels Saint Patrick’s Day Parade of the Nations & Regions celebrations, the city of Limerick on the Shannon river in the Midwest of Ireland is honoured with the presentation of the Limerick Shamrock Bowl to the City of Brussels during the Brussels Saint Patrick’s Day Parade of the Nations & Regions. After the Parade there is Irish & Limerick evening at Les Halles Saint Géry with a Trad Irish & Folk session. Claddagh Toastmasters of Brussels as part of this evening organise a social evening & ‘Write a Limerick’ Soirée from 6pm. Prior to this there is a lively Jazz Session from 5pm. Everyone Welcome, Admission Free. A Limerick is a humorous poem consisting of five lines with a specific rhythm and rhyme scheme. To write a Limerick, start with the first, second, and fifth lines rhyming with each other, while the third and fourth lines form a shorter rhyming pair. Typically, the syllable pattern is 8-8-5-5-8, which gives the poem its distinctive bouncy feel. Begin by thinking of a funny or unexpected topic, then craft your lines to fit the AABBA rhyme scheme. Use playful language, and don’t be afraid to be a bit silly—Limericks often feature clever wordplay and light-hearted content. Once you’ve drafted your poem, read it aloud to ensure the rhythm flows smoothly and the rhymes work together. If you cannot attend the event, you can submit your Limerick to Claddagh Toastmasters of Brussels claddagh.toastmasters\*\*(at)\*\*gmail.com. It will then be read out a the Claddagh Event. No profanities, offensive language entries will not be accepted or read. You must state it is an original work and your own creation and or without human co—writers, You must state if if is AI Generated. Topics could be Brussels,living in Belgium or some current topic affair. Bar and self-service restaurant at venue. Some examples of Limericks below . In Brussels, the streets turn to green, Saint Patrick’s Day brings quite the scene. With flags waving high, The parade marches by, And laughter and joy fill the sheen. In Brussels, where Guinness flows fast, Claddagh Toastmasters stand unsurpassed. With Irish charm they speak, Public speaking at its peak, The best club in town—unsurpassed! There once was a grand Irish parade, Where nations and regions displayed, In Brussels they danced, With flags all entranced, Saint Patrick’s green proudly portrayed. Claddagh Toastmasters helps you to develop your skills in public speaking, planning, leadership training, and managing your time. They aim is to provide a fun and social environment in which to practice your skills. You are invited to Claddagh Toastmasters, guests are most welcome and bring a friend if you wish. Meet on the 1st & 3rd Thursday of the month. Admission Free. You need also to register by email, as seats are limited. See email registration details below. Welcome coffee at 6.45 pm. Meeting starts at 7pm sharp. You ring the Claddagh designated bell to gain entry. We meet on the ground floor. Please note our venue: The Mug Co-working & Meeting Rooms Centre, Rue Charles Martel 8, Brussels 1000,

Welcome to our weekly event in the upstairs room of The Sister Café, rue Chair et Pain 3, one block from the Grand Place. Please get there early enough to order your drink at the bar first. Thank you! After introductions we will collect questions from the group participants, choose one by voting then discuss it for an hour. Then most of us stay for drinks and bizarre conversations. Past questions have been wide and not confined to academic philosophy: What is a genuine friend? Is social media turning us into emotional zombies? Do we lose some of the experience of things by defining them? Are we driven by sex? Is loneliness a personal failure? Is morality relative? **Crucially, be kind and respectful and generous** in your disagreements; remember how much you personally enjoy someone else proving you wrong before celebrating your cutting counterexamples.

What's up Friends! 👋 Let’s catch up over a cup of ☕️ (or whatever drink 🍵 or bite 🍪🍰🥐 inspires you in the moment). Where: Leopold PDN. This café may be a bit of a challenge to find on rainy days 🌧️☔️, but that's how adventures begin, right? 😂 Well, don't wait until you get hopelessly lost - text me here before you start cursing google maps 🗺️. The idea: Join the table once you've grabbed your order - mandatory! We'll kick-off with a light intro and move over to topics like activities, travel, music... At some point, if we are feeling it, we may also play some games. We will speak mostly English and French. Any other language is a bonus: 🌍🎭💃🎶🎷🤹🏻🤖 🎲 Games: No giant boards that end up in coffee spills please. Only light, short and fun games (generally card games like uno or exploding kittens💥🐱 will fit). I will bring a game or two myself, however feel free to bring along any of your own favorites. ⏱Timing: We start at 15:00, and you’re welcome to join at any time and for as long as you want. Joining later? Just let me know in advance in the chat so we keep a seat available for you 😊 🚦If you find yourself on the waiting list but you absolutely want to join or if you have any other question - feel free to contact me directly via the chat. 📢 Further details may be shared via the group chat or via DM 💬. Make sure to check your messages 👀 at least on the day before the event to avoid missing critical 🙄 announcements. 🐈‍⬛ The Friends Code:
👉No formalities - just chill 😎
👉Respect and positive vibes, if not 💥🥊 👉Can’t make it? Cancel so someone on the waitlist can grab your spot 🙏 👉 Don't show up if you are on the waiting list. See you folks! 😉

Weather being what it is, we will probably be sitting inside :) . After several walks and activities together, it felt like a good idea to simply **meet and spend some relaxed time together**. So this is a very simple gathering: we meet on the **terrace of the Maison du Prieur at Rouge-Cloître**, have a drink, talk, and get to know each other. No formal activity, no structure — just a moment to connect with other members of the **Happy Body community**. If the weather is nice, Rouge-Cloître is one of the most beautiful natural spots in Brussels, with forests, ponds and quiet paths. Feel free to come for **10 minutes or stay longer**.

Spring is doing its yearly cameo in Brussels, so we’re stealing the good weather for a **garden BBQ**: grill smoke, laughs, games of cards, new friends, and language switching mid-sentence like civilized chaos. The goal is easy language practice, meeting new people, and having a good time. This is a **bring & share** setup: you show up with something tasty, you leave with new words, new people ### **The vibe** * Backyard BBQ, relaxed and social * Language exchange baked into the night (talk, eat, switch languages, repeat) * Cultural food is strongly encouraged: bring your “this is what we eat at home” item ### **Languages** Host are fluent in **English, Italian, French, Spanish**, **Tamoul, German.** If you speak anything else, bring it. We collect languages like Pokémon. ### **What to bring (Bring & Share)** * Food + drinks for you **AND** something to share * Bonus points for something from your culture * If you’re bringing veggie stuff, make it something people actually want to eat. ### **If you don’t want to bring food** Message the host in WhatsApp. You can pay a **small fee** instead and still eat like a functional adult. ### **Contribution** **€2 per person** to cover wood/charcoal. Yes, even in 2026 humans still pay for fire. ### **Location (shared privately)** The address is shared **only** with confirmed RSVPs who: 1. Join the CLUB WhatsApp chat 2. Send a quick intro: first name + languages + what you’re into WhatsApp link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/F2hTxZ4TT3hHICiihX1Efy ### **Rules (because humans)** * **Not a dating meetup.** * This is not an “NPC meetup” where everyone tiptoes around like they’re negotiating a hostage release. People can talk freely and share opinions. **No censorship, no tone-policing, no drama farming.** * **No creeps. No harassment. No pushing after a “no.” No weird DMs.** * Respect the host’s home, neighbors, and the group. * If you act shady, you’re out. Simple.

A transformative weekend that bridges science, psychology, and movement, showcasing the therapeutic and educational power of dance. This immersive two-day experience blends cutting-edge neuroscience, psychology, and dance therapy to enhance well-being, deepen self-awareness, and revolutionise the way we learn and teach through movement. Whether you're a therapist, educator, dancer, or simply curious about the mind-body connection, this workshop offers practical tools and scientific insights to elevate your practice. All workshops have theory applied to practice. 📅 15th March\, 2026 \| Vleugelsstraat\, Goossensstraat 3\, 1030 Schaarbeek\, Belgium ⏳ 10AM – 9PM (with a 1-hour break) Book https://www.neuroscienceofdance.co/plans-pricing 💃Part 1 \- The Science of Dance therapy Delve into the neuroscience, psychology, and therapeutic applications of dance in this intensive course. Through a blend of theory and hands-on exercises, you’ll explore how movement impacts the brain, emotions, and overall well-being. 🔹 Neuroscience of Dance – How movement stimulates brain regions linked to creativity, memory, and emotional regulation. 🔹 Psychology of Dance – Understanding embodiment, nonverbal communication, and symbolism in movement therapy. 🔹 Therapeutic Applications – Practical techniques that enhance the benefits of dance. 🔹 Experiential Learning – Engage in improvisation, group discussions, and reflective practices to develop self-awareness and resilience. For: Dancers, therapists, educators, and anyone interested in integrating dance into personal or professional wellness practices. ​ 🧠 PART 2 The Neuroscience of Dance – Learn and Teach Better Unlock the science behind movement-based learning and teaching with insights from neuroscience. Whether you're a dancer looking to refine your learning process or an educator seeking to enhance instruction, this session will transform the way you approach dance. 🔹 Neuroscience Demystified – Understand how the brain processes dance and movement for optimal learning, teaching and performance. 🔹 Accelerated Learning Strategies – Evidence-based techniques to enhance skill acquisition and retention. 🔹 Teaching Excellence – How to structure dance instruction in alignment with the brain’s natural learning mechanisms. 🔹 Fostering Creativity – The role of dance in boosting creative thinking and problem-solving. 🔹 Neurodiversity: How to learn and adapt teaching techniques to neurodiverse dancers. For: Dance educators, choreographers, performers, and movement enthusiasts looking to optimize their practice. ​

Join us for some friendly Badminton games- all levels welcome! IMPORTANT- in order to secure your place you’ll need to both book a spot on Meetup AND pay €8 by Friday morning. This is to make sure we can cancel courts if demand isn’t there, and make sure we’re being fair to people on the waitlist. Refunds will only be possible after Friday AM if another player is definitely able to take your spot Always worth joining our W’app group as well for faster, often better, updates! https://chat.whatsapp.com/GXq4WSg5QVqGelLpAzfbHG?mode=hq1tcli

This week it’s Igor who will be leading the hike 😊Weather announced sunny and spring-like on Sunday, we shall be walking approximately 12.5 km and ending our walk with a beer in Brouwerij de Kroon 🍺 Meeting point: Parking donkerstraat 1 Huldenberg https://maps.app.goo.gl/F6gf4btm9hKEzD5p8?g_st=ic Igor: 0475/801026

We thought of one of the interesting things that can be enjoyed at this time of the year. We will be meeting at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church for a "Fish Fry" in Marian Hall on Friday, March 27th at 5:00 PM. It might be fun for you to experience what has become a tradition on the Fridays before Easter. They will have fried fish or baked fish, French fries and Cole slaw, as well as beverages, all for $16.00 for adults. They will have other beverages and desserts available for sale, as well. We have never tried this, and sometimes there are quite a few people at these events so we hope that we will be able to find each other easily. I'll try to have signs outside Marian Hall that Identify our group. We hope to have you join us!

Let's grab some coffee/food and share a morning chat! The East Market has an ample parking lot and outdoor and indoor seating. Grab a cup of coffee from Winston's Coffee & Waffles or on your way to East Market and meet us on the second floor - table behind or east of the elevator. Per what this group is about: "Everyone is welcome! International transplants to Columbus who want to improve language skills, Columbus residents who want to discuss international travel and culture, and anyone who enjoys getting together for good conversations."

**Improving Office in Franklinton** Physical location: Improving Office 330 Rush Alley Suite #150 Columbus, OH 43215 Schedule: 6:00 p.m.: Socialize, eat, and drink. Improving will be providing pizza and beverages. 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Main meeting and presentation(s). Topic: Type Annotations with John Cassidy We meet on the last Monday of each Month. Presentations are given by members and friends of this group. If you would like to do a presentation (small or large) on a python topic, please contact Central OH Python at centralohpython@gmail.com

Jimmy V's Grill & Pub in Grandview Heights. You are responsible for your own meal/drinks. We usually don't have any agenda other than eat, drink and talk. :) If the weather is nice we will be on the back patio, otherwise we are in the cigar room. This group has been meeting every Tuesday evening for over a decade. Many attendees do not RSVP on meetup. Please don't let the small number here discourage you. Anyone/everyone is welcome to come. We'd love to have you join us. COTA bus #5 comes to W. 5th and Wyandotte Rd. And it's a minute walk to the restaurant.

So this month's prompt is more general. I think we can all agree that we are living in "unique" times that require coping skills. I think that one role and/or purpose of philosophy is to help us deal with our daily lives and our "unique" times. So, let's share our feelings and thoughts about which philosopher/philosophy we turn to in order to deal with our crazy events. Who/what helps you stay focused in your daily life and helps you sleep at night. I find that Stoicism with a little philosophical pessimism mixed in goes a long way in helping me deal with what I see as very destructive, fearful and mean spirited public policies at both the state and federal levels. Hope to see you on March 28th!