I Learned to Speak Four Languages in a Few Years: Here’s How

Re:I Learned to Speak Four Languages in a Few Years: Here’s How by nik_0_0 on Thursday April 19, 2012 @02:20PM (#3864364)

I'm only a few lessons into Pimsleur but it is quite interesting. I understand the concept of speaking out loud, but I hope normal conversational tone is not required! I do these on the bus, which means I can mouth the words and speak in a quiet voice, but talking makes me look like a crazy person!

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Re:I Learned to Speak Four Languages in a Few Years: Here’s How by keiferski on Thursday April 19, 2012 @02:33PM (#3864420)

Just get a pair of iPhone earbuds (with a microphone). That way you can pretend to be on the phone.

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Re:I Learned to Speak Four Languages in a Few Years: Here’s How by pavel_lishin on Thursday April 19, 2012 @04:01PM (#3864816)

Then, instead of a crazy person, you look like an asshole.

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Re:I Learned to Speak Four Languages in a Few Years: Here’s How by polymatter on Thursday April 19, 2012 @04:45PM (#3865050)

Why do you care what other people think?

Seriously, just whisper and accept the stares. That's what I do. People lose interest in you after a while anyway.

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Re:I Learned to Speak Four Languages in a Few Years: Here’s How by dpark on Thursday April 19, 2012 @06:48PM (#3865599)

I don't know about pavel_lishin, but I care what other people think because I don't want to be an asshole. I don't want to be the guy talking loudly on his phone on a crowded bus, because that's guy's obnoxious.

The guy who's whispering to himself is fine. Weird, but at least not an asshole.

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Re:I Learned to Speak Four Languages in a Few Years: Here’s How by Karunamon on Thursday April 19, 2012 @08:58PM (#3866009)

Talking into a communications device at normal volume makes you look like an asshole? O_o

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Re:I Learned to Speak Four Languages in a Few Years: Here’s How by dpark on Thursday April 19, 2012 @10:27PM (#3866254)

First, no one talks on the phone at a normal volume when they're on the phone. They always speak louder in order to speak "over" the noise of the bus.

Second, yes, it totally does. The guy loudly talking into his phone is audible to everyone on the bus, thanks to the fact that he's speaking loudly. It's really obnoxious. e.g. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0uTi2qkgf0

With that said, you could probably practice this stuff on the bus without being obnoxious by simply speaking more quietly. You'll still be more annoying than the quiet guy reading a book, but probably not unreasonably so.

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Re:I Learned to Speak Four Languages in a Few Years: Here’s How by reneherse on Friday April 20, 2012 @02:17AM (#3866724)

Just get a pocket dictionary of the language you're studying with the subject printed large on the cover. Headphones on, same mouth movements, but now you've gone from crazy to studious!

It's a great conversation starter, too, which might land you a conversation partner if you're in a multicultural city.

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Re:I Learned to Speak Four Languages in a Few Years: Here’s How by nik_0_0 on Friday April 20, 2012 @10:05AM (#3867903)

That is actually an excellent idea, thanks!

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