5 techniques to speak any language | Sid Efromovich | TEDxUpperEastSide

Summary

In this engaging talk, the speaker shares her unique journey of learning seven languages and offers five key techniques to make the process enjoyable and effective. She emphasizes the importance of embracing mistakes as a learning tool, discarding foreign alphabets for accurate pronunciation, finding a 'stickler' for corrections, practicing through 'shower conversations,' and using the Buddy Formula to maintain consistent language practice. Her approach turns language learning from a daunting task into an exciting exploration of new cultures and self-discovery.

Takeaways

• 😀 Embrace making mistakes as the first rule of language learning to expand your language database.
• 🔍 Recognize the feeling of making a mistake as a signal that you're exploring new linguistic territory.
• 📚 Understand that your 'language database' contains known sounds and structures, but learning involves venturing beyond it.
• 📝 Scrap the use of foreign alphabets as they can provide misleading pronunciation cues.
• 🗣️ Learn to pronounce words correctly by breaking them down phonetically and practicing the sounds, not just the spelling.
• 🤓 Find a 'stickler'—a detail-oriented person who will correct your mistakes and help refine your language skills.
• 🚿 Engage in 'Shower Conversations' to practice language skills by having imaginary dialogues in your head.
• 🤝 Use the 'Buddy Formula' to find a conversation partner where the target language is your best common language to ensure effective practice.
• 🌐 Utilize technology to find language partners if you can't find them locally, and consider traveling for immersive experiences.
• 🌍 Learning languages can be a gateway to understanding new cultures and ways of living, enhancing personal growth.
• 👣 Remember that every journey, no matter how daunting, begins with the first step, and now you have the tools to start yours.

Q & A

How many languages can the speaker claim to speak fluently?

The speaker mentions being able to speak four languages by the age of 18 and then learned three additional languages in the subsequent three years, making it a total of seven languages.

What is the first technique the speaker suggests for language learning?

The first technique is to embrace the process of making mistakes as a fundamental part of learning a new language.

What does the speaker refer to as the 'language database'?

The 'language database' refers to the collection of sounds and structures that a person knows, which forms the basis of their linguistic knowledge.

Why does the speaker advise against using the foreign alphabet when learning a new language?

The speaker advises against using the foreign alphabet because it can provide misleading signals and does not accurately represent the pronunciation of words in the target language.

What is the second technique the speaker introduces for effective language learning?

The second technique is to scrap the foreign alphabet and instead use phonetic notations or descriptions that provide meaningful information about pronunciation.

What role does a 'stickler' play in the language learning process according to the speaker?

A 'stickler' is someone detail-oriented who will correct the learner's mistakes and encourage them to make those mistakes in the first place, thus helping them to improve.

What is the term for the method the speaker uses to practice language by themselves?

The method is called 'Shower Conversations,' where the learner imagines having a conversation in the target language, even if they are alone.

What is the 'Buddy Formula' mentioned by the speaker for finding a conversation partner?

The 'Buddy Formula' suggests that the target language should be the best or the secret language in common between the learner and their conversation partner to ensure practice is consistent and motivated.

How does the speaker describe the feeling of venturing beyond one's 'language database'?

The speaker describes it as a queasy, insecure feeling that signals the learner is exploring new linguistic territory and making progress.

What is the main message the speaker wants to convey about the process of learning languages?

The main message is that learning languages should be an enjoyable, fun, and exciting process, and by using certain techniques, it can be made much easier and rewarding.

What famous athlete's technique does the speaker compare their 'Shower Conversations' to?

The speaker compares 'Shower Conversations' to the visualization technique used by professional athlete Michael Phelps, who visualizes his races before competing.

How does the speaker conclude their speech about language learning?

The speaker concludes by emphasizing that learning languages is not a stressful or boring task but a journey of exploration and self-discovery, encouraging the audience to take the first step in their language learning journey.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Embracing Mistakes in Language Learning

The speaker, raised as a polyglot, shares her unique and enjoyable experience of learning languages. She emphasizes the importance of making mistakes as a fundamental part of the language acquisition process. By stepping outside one's 'language database' and embracing errors, learners can expand their linguistic knowledge. The speaker illustrates this with the example of learning the Spanish word for 'door', 'Puerta', and the challenge of pronouncing the rolled 'r' sound, which does not exist in English. She encourages learners to use the feeling of making a mistake as a signal that they are venturing into new linguistic territory.

05:02

📝 The Futility of Foreign Alphabets and Phonetic Notation

The speaker discusses the ineffectiveness of using foreign alphabets and phonetic notation in language learning, demonstrating how American English speakers might misinterpret words from other languages, such as Portuguese and Chinese. She uses humorous examples to show how these misinterpretations can lead to confusion and incorrect pronunciation. Instead of relying on potentially misleading written cues, she advocates for learning the correct sounds through direct instruction and practice. The speaker then guides the audience in correctly pronouncing the Brazilian currency 'Real' by breaking it down into its phonetic components, 'he' and 'ou', highlighting the importance of meaningful notations for language learning.

10:03

🗣 Techniques for Effective Language Practice

The speaker introduces the third technique for language learning: finding a 'stickler', someone who is detail-oriented and will correct mistakes while encouraging learners to make them in the first place. She explains the value of establishing a relationship with someone who can provide constructive feedback and help learners reach their language goals. The fourth technique is 'Shower Conversations', a method the speaker used to practice languages by having imaginary dialogues in the shower or other private spaces. This technique allows learners to identify gaps in their knowledge and practice both speaking and understanding the language. The speaker also mentions that professional athletes use similar visualization techniques to enhance their performance.

🤝 The Buddy Formula for Language Practice

The speaker presents the fifth technique: finding a conversation buddy using 'The Buddy Formula', which involves ensuring that the target language is the best language in common between the learner and the buddy. This encourages the use of the new language and prevents reverting to a more comfortable language. If a local buddy is not available, the speaker suggests using technology or traveling to find one. She also shares an anecdote about using German as a secret language with a colleague at work, highlighting the benefits of having a private conversational tool in public. The speaker concludes by summarizing the techniques and encouraging learners to view language learning as an exciting journey of exploration and self-discovery.

Keywords

💡Polyglot

A polyglot is an individual who can speak multiple languages fluently. In the context of the video, the speaker identifies herself as a polyglot, having grown up with the ability to speak four languages and later learning three more. This term is central to the video's theme of language learning and highlights the speaker's personal experience and expertise in the subject.

💡Language Acquisition

Language acquisition refers to the process of learning a new language. The video focuses on the speaker's unique and enjoyable approach to language acquisition, which contrasts with the common perception of learning languages as a stressful and difficult task. This concept is integral to the video's message, as it sets the stage for the speaker to share her techniques for making language learning more accessible and enjoyable.

💡Language Database

The 'language database' is a metaphor used by the speaker to describe the collection of sounds and structures that an individual knows in a language. It represents the internalized knowledge of language that one has accumulated. The concept is used to illustrate the idea that learning a new language involves expanding this database by exploring sounds and structures that are unfamiliar, which is a key point in the speaker's approach to language learning.

💡Mistakes

In the video, making mistakes is presented as an essential part of the language learning process. The speaker encourages embracing errors as a way to expand one's 'language database' and explore new linguistic territory. This concept is a cornerstone of the speaker's philosophy on language learning, as it challenges the traditional fear of making errors and positions them as opportunities for growth.

💡Stickler

A 'stickler' in the context of the video is someone who is detail-oriented and will not allow for mistakes to go uncorrected. The speaker advises finding a stickler to help refine one's language skills by providing corrections and ensuring accuracy. This term is used to emphasize the importance of having someone who can provide constructive feedback during the language learning process.

💡Shower Conversations

Shower conversations refer to the practice of having imaginary dialogues in a new language while taking a shower, as a form of mental exercise and practice. The speaker uses this term to illustrate a personal technique for self-practice and to highlight the value of engaging in both sides of a conversation to identify gaps in one's language knowledge.

💡Buddy Formula

The 'Buddy Formula' is a strategy proposed by the speaker for finding a conversation partner to practice a new language. It involves ensuring that the target language is the best language in common between the learner and the partner, or potentially a secret language that others around them do not understand. This concept is used to demonstrate a practical way to immerse oneself in a language and get consistent practice.

💡Alphabet

The video discusses the limitations of relying on the foreign alphabet when learning a new language. The speaker suggests that using the native script or phonetic notations can be more beneficial than trying to fit foreign words into the learner's native alphabet, as it can lead to incorrect pronunciation and understanding. This term is used to address a common challenge in language learning and to offer a solution for more effective learning.

💡Secret Language

A 'secret language' in the video refers to a language that is known only to a specific group of people, allowing them to communicate privately in public. The speaker shares an anecdote about using German as a secret language with a colleague in an office setting, demonstrating a creative application of language learning that adds an element of fun and privacy.

💡Cultural Exploration

Cultural exploration is the act of discovering and understanding different cultures, often facilitated by learning new languages. The speaker concludes the video by emphasizing the rewarding aspect of language learning as a means to explore new cultures and ways of living. This term encapsulates the broader purpose of language learning beyond mere communication, touching upon personal growth and global understanding.

Highlights

Raised as a polyglot, speaker could speak four languages by the age of 18 and learned three more in three years.

Language learning was an enjoyable, fun, and exciting process rather than a stressful one.

The importance of making mistakes in language learning to expand one's 'language database'.

The concept of a 'language database' containing known sounds and structures.

The queasy feeling of making mistakes is a signal of venturing beyond one's language database.

Example of learning the Spanish word 'Puerta' and the challenge of the rolled 'r' sound.

The problem with using the English alphabet to learn foreign languages due to incorrect phonetic cues.

Advocating for scrapping the foreign alphabet and using phonetic notations that provide meaningful information.

The method of breaking through language barriers by embracing mistakes and using correct notations.

Finding a 'stickler' who is detail-oriented and comfortable correcting language mistakes.

The idea of 'Shower Conversations' as a method for self-practice and identifying knowledge gaps.

Professional athletes use visualization, similar to 'Shower Conversations', for performance enhancement.

The 'Buddy Formula' for finding a conversation partner to practice the target language.

The target language should be the best or secret language in common between conversation partners.

Learning languages as a journey of self-discovery and cultural exploration.

The final message that learning to walk in language learning is now possible with the shared techniques.

Encouragement that even if the information sounds like Greek initially, it's still possible to learn it.

Transcripts

Transcriber: Наталья Овчинникова Reviewer: Adrienne Lin

I speak seven languages.

As soon as people find out about that,

what I'm most often asked --

other than for my phone number --

is: "How did you do it?

How did you go about learning all these different languages?"

Well, today I'm going to share with you some answers.

So my phone number is 212...

(Laughter)

I'm just kidding.

See, I was raised as a polyglot.

And by the time I turned 18,

I could speak already four different languages.

And then for the subsequent three years,

I learned three additional languages.

It's about those 3 years that I want to talk about.

Because my language acquisition process

was very different from that of my peers,

in that it was never of these stressful,

strenuous, difficult, seemingly impossible tasks,

but rather something enjoyable, fun, exciting.

I loved it, every single moment of it.

And I want to share with you

why, what was it that made it so special.

See, I did have a head start,

in that I did have these four languages that I spoke ahead of time.

But there were also these 5 techniques,

5 skills if you will, that I use

that made the language learning process so much easier.

And it's about those 5 techniques

that I want to talk about.

So let's dig right in.

And for the first one,

the first thing that we've got to do

is to take a very deep breath.

And relax.

And the reason for it is because our entire lives,

we're taught how to do things right.

From the moment we were born we're taught

what things we should do, things we shouldn't do,

and how to do things properly.

Well, when it comes to language learning,

the golden rule of language learning,

the most important thing,

is to get things wrong,

to make mistakes,

and that is the first rule.

Let me explain to you why.

See, when we've known languages,

we know a whole collection of sounds

and a whole collection of structures,

which combined make what I like to call --

and for the purpose of this presentation --

our "'language database."

And our language database will contain

all the sounds and structures that we know.

However, there is a whole family of sounds and structures

that are beyond our database.

And for us to be able to embark on those and to be able to explore those,

there is nothing within our database,

nothing within our knowledge

that will tell us when we're getting the structures right,

nothing to tell us when that sound is precise.

Let's say we're going to explore this one specific sound.

There is nothing in our database.

When we say it, we could say it perfectly,

but in our minds, it will sound like a mistake.

So you know that queasy feeling, that insecure thing,

when we feel like we're doing something wrong?

That is the trigger that you need to look for.

Because that is the signal that tells you that you're going beyond your database

and that you're allowing yourself to explore the realm of the new language.

Let me show you how this works in practice.

Let's say, we're going to go and learn the word "door" in Spanish.

So, the word "door" in Spanish is "Puerta."

So, for "Puerta" we've got a few sounds that exist in English.

So, the "Pu," "e," and "ta."

However, when it comes to the "r,"

that sound is not in our database.

The "RR."

The rolled "r" does not exist in the English sound database.

And it's a little bit on the outside.

So, if we allowed ourselves

to bridge through our database, and to really break through

and to make the mistake,

we could make sounds like the "RR."

But instead, what sometimes happens

is that we get the closest relative of it that is within the database,

and that is the "ah-er" sound.

(Laughter)

And that "ah-er" sound

makes something that sounds like "pue-er-rta,"

which doesn't mean a thing in Spanish,

and actually doesn't sound too charming.

And it doesn't tell you too much.

So, for the first technique,

allow yourself to make that mistake,

so that sounds like "Puerta" can come out.

And now let's go to the second one.

For the second one,

I'm going to need some of your collaboration.

We're going to read these four beautiful words.

And on the count of three.

So let's start with the first one, on the count of three: one, two, three.

(Audience) Mao. SE: "Mao," perfect.

The second one: one, two, three. (Audience:) Coco.

SE: Perfect. Third one. One, two, three.

(Audience) Cocao. SE: Perfect.

And the fourth one. One, two, three.

(Silence)

Oh.

Let me show you what happened when we did this.

We get theses four words

and we put them through a sort of American English filter.

And we get something looks kind of like this.

And I'll tell you the results of that.

So for the first one "Mão,"

which means "hand" in Portuguese,

we put it through the filter, we get "Mao."

(Laughter)

For the second one we get "coco,"

which is "coconut" in Portuguese,

or "cocô," which means "poop."

We put through the filter, we get a warm cup of cocoa.

(Laughter)

And for the fourth one,

we have "huo,"

which means "fire" in Chinese.

And we get --

if you're feeling really creative, maybe a dude doing karate...

(Laughter)

But anyway,

these don't tell you much about how these things are pronounced.

And if you think it's only one way,

only if you're going from English to a different language,

think about non-native speakers.

And try to explain to someone

that this [though] is pronounced "though,"

and that this [thought] is pronounced "thought."

And even though they look almost identical,

they have nothing to do with one another.

Or try to explain to them that

this [enough] is "enough"

and this [enuf] is just simply wrong.

See, there is nothing useful about using that foreign alphabet,

when you're trying to learn a language.

Why? Because it will give you wrong signals.

So what is the second technique?

Scrap it.

Scrap the foreign alphabet.

Let me give you an alternative of how you can go about this.

This is a Brazilian currency,

and it spelled like this.

On the count of three, can we all say the name of the currency. 1, 2, 3.

(Audience) Real.

SE: We have some people who know the spelling.

Yeah, "re-al," for the most part.

And as useful as this might seem, it doesn't tell you a single thing.

And when you're speaking Portuguese, "re-al" means nothing.

Let me give you an alternative.

See, in Portuguese, the way that you say "real" is "heou."

So let me teach you how to say it.

So on the count of three, let's say "he."

So it's "hey" without the "y" sound.

So, one, two, three -- "he."

(Audience) HE. SE: Perfect.

And now let's say "ou."

It's like "ouch", but without the "ch" sound,

so it's "ou." One, two, three,

(Audience) OU. SE: Perfect.

So, "HE."

(Audience) HE.

SE: "OU."

(Audience:) OU.

SE: "HE." (Audience:) HE.

SE: "OU." (Audience:) OU.

SE: "HE-OU," HEOU.

(Audience) HE-OU. SE: Perfect.

Now you all sound like passionate Brazilian capitalists.

(Laughter)

So why would we go and use something that looks like this,

that looks like "real,"

when instead you can use something

that looks like this and gives you so much more information

about how to say something in a foreign language.

And that puts us in a really good spot

because at this point we allowed ourselves

to break through our database and to make mistakes,

to go into that uncharted territory of a new language.

And then, we figured out how to take notations

in a way that the information is actually meaningful.

But then how can we test it?

And that's where technique number 3 comes in.

Technique number 3 is about finding a stickler.

So finding someone who's detail-oriented

and won't let you to get away with the mistakes.

And more than finding someone who is really that person,

the guru for the language,

it's more about establishing the right sort of relationship.

Relationship with someone,

where they'll correct you, and feel comfortable correcting you

and making sure that you're getting to that spot you wanted in a language.

But at the same time,

someone who will encourage you

to get things wrong and to make those mistakes in the first place.

And sticklers could be your teacher,

it could be your tutor, friend,

it could be someone on Skype or on Craigslist; it doesn't matter.

You can find sticklers all over the place,

and with technology, it becomes a lot easier find them.

And then it's time to practice.

And for practicing, we've got the fourth technique.

See, I always thought I had this thing

that was a little bit of "Sid craziness" that I did,

and then I realized how useful it was.

I always did what I like to call "Shower Conversations."

And shower conversations are exactly what they sound like.

When I was learning a new language,

I would stay in the shower for a few minutes.

I would remember having all these discussions;

I remember when I was learning Chinese,

and I would haggle and try to get two yen more,

to get that wonderful dumpling, and getting the discount;

or I would go to Roma

and I'd ask for directions to the best "piazza."

It was amazing.

The beautiful thing about the shower conversation

is that it allows you to find wherever you have a gap in your knowledge,

because you're having a conversation on both ends.

For example, it's easy to ask for directions, how about receiving them?

Or even better, giving directions.

Well, the shower conversation forces you to have both side of the conversation.

And you don't need to have them in the shower.

Another wonderful thing is that you can have them anywhere.

You can have them in the shower, in your apartment,

walking down in the streets, in the subway,

and seriously, if you're in the subway,

speaking to yourself in a foreign language in New York,

you'll fit right in.

You're fine.

It's great,

because you don't depend on anything or anyone to get your practice,

and I did this for years.

And later on I found that professional athletes do, too.

Michael Phelps is known to visualize every single one of his races,

several times over, before jumping in water.

Worked great for him,

and it works great for me, too,

so it would work for you as well.

And now let's go to using the language.

Because up to now, it's great,

we've figured out how to do all these things,

and that puts us in a really good position to use the language,

and for that I recommend you find a conversation buddy.

To find a conversation buddy,

I recommend you follow what I call "The Buddy Formula."

And that is a way that you can make sure

that your incentives are always aligned to use the new language.

So for that is,

the target language should be your best language in common.

Why?

If you're anything like me,

you like to learn languages,

so that you can communicate with more people,

so that you can reach out

and understand a little bit more about their brains and hearts.

And so, if we try to talk to someone in a foreign language

that both of us don't do really well, when we could be speaking English,

or whatever language you're more comfortable with as a pair,

odds are that you're going to revert to that language that is easier.

So I recommend you to find someone where your best language in common

is your target language.

And if you can't find one locally, try technology.

Or if you can travel, that would be perfect.

There's a problem with that, and I realize it,

because it's difficult to find someone who fits that profile exactly.

But I've got good news.

And I've found that out when I was work,

and one of my colleagues, he's a linguist, too,

he speaks a ton of languages,

and our best language in common was definitely English.

Our second best language in common: definitely French.

But we always spoke in German to each other in the office.

Why was that?

It was because there were people in the office who spoke English;

there were people in the office who spoke French.

But we could talk about Friday and Saturday night in German,

and nobody had any idea what we were talking about.

So it can also be your best secret language in common.

(Laughter)

And it becomes such a convenient tool.

You can have it with your friends

and you get the sense of privacy in public.

No matter where you are, you can have a private conversation.

So, let's recap.

With the first technique

we allow ourselves to break through the barrier of language

and to explore the uncharted territory

of sounds and structures outside our database.

Then with the second one,

we learn how to take notes

and how to make sure that we can take notes

in a way that we can replicate those sounds and structures later.

Then we can check the mistakes by finding a stickler.

Fourth: Practice.

Have shower conversations, wherever you want to be.

And then, follow the Buddy Formula,

and you can find somebody to practice your language with.

And after that,

(Italian) we get to a truly beautiful place,

(German) where learning languages

is no longer something stressful, difficult and boring,

(Spanish) but rather a world of possibilities.

A world, where each of us has the opportunity to explore

(French) new cultures and all the different ways of living.

(Br. Portuguese) The greatest reward from this,

is that we end up learning more about ourselves.

(Greek) As of now, it may all sound Greek for you.

But that doesn't mean that you can't learn it.

(Mandarin Chinese) "A journey of a thousand miles

begins with the first step."

(English) And this is not a problem, because now you know how to walk.

Thank you.

(Applause)