Talking the lingo in Rio: Chatting with your new Lithuanian speaking friends about triathlon

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This article is a series of language learning posts by ParaSport News.  The goal is to provide sport fans some very basic sport and Paralympic vocabulary so you can talk with the world about disability sport at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio.

While Lithuania sent an 11 athlete strong delegation to London to compete in three sports, they did not manage to win any medals.  That was down from their best performance in 1996 when they won 11 medals, all but 1 coming in athletics.  The other was in Judo.  With 3 million or so speakers found in Lithuania, Poland and the United States, your best opportunity to practice this Eastern Baltic language will be at track and field events or in the pool.

General disability words:

• Ataksija – Ataxia
• Aklumas – Blindness
• Hipertonija – Hypertonia
• Išsėtinė sklerozė – Multiple sclerosis

Sport specific words:

• Parolimpinės žaidynės – Paralympic Games

Triathlon specific words:

This sport makes its debut at the 2016 Summer Paralympics.  With words from swimming, athletics and cycling, knowing a few terms here can take you a long way with other sports.

• Triatlonas – Triathlon
• Plaukimas – Swimming
• Maratonas – Marathon
• Plaukimo kepuraitė – Swim cap
• Plūduras – Buoy