[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:08.22,0:00:11.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A big part of why I work\Nwith endangered languages,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:11.51,0:00:14.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is because I am myself\Na descendant of a speech community
Dialogue: 0,0:00:15.02,0:00:17.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that even today\Nis struggling to survive.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:17.22,0:00:18.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Look at the name over there,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:18.51,0:00:20.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you can probably guess\Nwhich one it is.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:21.25,0:00:23.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But, for many of my friends,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:23.43,0:00:25.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,language loss\Nis much more immediate,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:25.25,0:00:26.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,much more intense.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:26.76,0:00:30.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For them, it's loss of a chunk\Nof their sovereignty.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:31.25,0:00:32.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A connection to their past.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:33.01,0:00:35.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A connection to their cultural wealth.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:35.25,0:00:37.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A grounding in their history.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:38.48,0:00:41.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In my work, I've seen\Ntime and time again,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:42.26,0:00:45.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,just how wrenching it can be
Dialogue: 0,0:00:45.25,0:00:47.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for parent and child,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:47.52,0:00:49.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a grandparent and a grandchild,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:49.27,0:00:51.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to become disconnected\Nin a way that goes
Dialogue: 0,0:00:51.50,0:00:54.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,far beyond any kind\Nof natural generation gap.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:56.50,0:00:58.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But even if you care,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:58.24,0:01:00.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,even if you sympathize,\Nyou may think,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:00.52,0:01:03.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Well, endangered languages\Njust aren't worth saving."
Dialogue: 0,0:01:03.50,0:01:07.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because you probably think\Nthey'll cost a fair bit to save.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:09.26,0:01:13.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Not just money,\Nbut also time, energy and attention.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:13.06,0:01:15.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And these are things\Nthat're all in short supply these days.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:15.51,0:01:18.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Especially so for a lot\Nof these communities,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:18.20,0:01:20.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which are often faced with\Neven more immediate,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:20.57,0:01:25.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,even more material challenges.\NBut what if it cost next to nothing?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:25.50,0:01:28.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Next to nothing\Nto learn a new language?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:28.25,0:01:30.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What if we could radically reduce
Dialogue: 0,0:01:30.25,0:01:31.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,linguistic entry costs?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:32.24,0:01:35.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well then the arguments\Nagainst sustaining linguistic diversity,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:35.76,0:01:37.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,would not sound so reasonable.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:37.76,0:01:38.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because all of us
Dialogue: 0,0:01:39.02,0:01:41.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,could easily jump\Nfrom language to language,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:41.50,0:01:43.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,just to show respect\Nto our host or our guest.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:43.75,0:01:45.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or to enjoy the expressive capacities
Dialogue: 0,0:01:45.78,0:01:47.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that this particular language allows us.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:47.77,0:01:50.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or simply because between you and me,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:50.75,0:01:53.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this language is the one\NI feel the most like home.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:54.23,0:01:55.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So the obvious question is,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:55.54,0:01:57.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,how long does it take\Nto learn a new language?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:57.79,0:01:58.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Not perfectly,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:58.79,0:02:01.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not you know, without a single error,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:01.33,0:02:04.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not even fluently, but just enough\Nto get your foot in the door.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:04.38,0:02:05.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Enough to get started,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:05.49,0:02:09.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to get going, enough to join\Nthat speech community and be part of it.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:09.25,0:02:11.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, in my experience,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:11.03,0:02:12.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's about a week or so.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:13.27,0:02:14.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And you know,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:14.52,0:02:16.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was just as shocked\Nas you to discover this.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:17.02,0:02:22.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In the summer of 2003,\Nafter just 10 days in Bulgaria
Dialogue: 0,0:02:22.24,0:02:23.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with my new in-laws,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:23.24,0:02:24.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was able to talk well enough
Dialogue: 0,0:02:24.75,0:02:26.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to translate for my sister when she came.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:26.81,0:02:29.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then the same thing happened\Nagain the next summer.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:29.48,0:02:31.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I went to the Czech Republic\Nfor my cousin's wedding,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:31.72,0:02:34.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,showed up about a week early,\Nand by the time the wedding rolled around,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:34.75,0:02:37.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was just chatting away\Nwith all my new Czech relatives.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:38.26,0:02:41.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I wasn't fluent and I wasn't flawless\Nbut I was effective.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:41.76,0:02:43.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now real fluency, in my experience,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:43.78,0:02:45.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,does take a long time,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:45.27,0:02:47.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,does take hanging out\Nwith the speech community.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:47.74,0:02:51.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But still, just one week and change
Dialogue: 0,0:02:51.78,0:02:53.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to get a foot in the door.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:53.52,0:02:55.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To be able to party with the chicks.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:55.24,0:02:56.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To be able to hang on Bulgarian cafes
Dialogue: 0,0:02:57.01,0:02:58.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and order French fries with aplomb.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:59.99,0:03:02.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That seemed like an idea worth sharing.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:02.36,0:03:04.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now of course,\NI'm a trained field linguist,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:04.50,0:03:06.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so you probably think,\N"You're self selected.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:06.69,0:03:09.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You've got experience.\NYou've got talent." Right?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:09.76,0:03:10.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But when I do it,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:11.50,0:03:13.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it doesn't feel at all like talent,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:13.76,0:03:15.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and not much like experience either.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:15.50,0:03:18.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,All it feels like is a really clear\Nsense of what to do.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:19.00,0:03:21.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How to handle vocabulary,\Npronunciation, grammar,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:21.100,0:03:23.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and more than anything else,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:23.35,0:03:25.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,how to make it through any conversation.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:27.74,0:03:30.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And this is what I think we're missing
Dialogue: 0,0:03:30.22,0:03:31.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when we struggle with languages.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:31.75,0:03:33.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When we fall to learn languages.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:34.24,0:03:36.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We all get taught languages,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:36.08,0:03:38.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but we don't get taught\Nhow to learn languages.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:38.67,0:03:41.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I've been working on that\Nfor quite some time.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:41.07,0:03:43.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,On how to translate the experience,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:43.17,0:03:46.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the skill set of a trained field linguist\Ninto a form that anybody,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:46.11,0:03:48.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,any of you can pick up quickly
Dialogue: 0,0:03:48.24,0:03:51.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and use to become active learners,\Nconfident learners,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:51.74,0:03:57.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who can step right out into the street,\Nthe scary street of real-life language use
Dialogue: 0,0:03:58.50,0:04:00.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with very little fear.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:01.19,0:04:02.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And if we can do this,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:02.46,0:04:03.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,then it doesn't just change
Dialogue: 0,0:04:03.76,0:04:05.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,how you and me learn languages,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:05.77,0:04:08.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but it also has the potential\Nto radically reshape
Dialogue: 0,0:04:08.50,0:04:12.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,how linguistic majorities\Nand linguistic minorities
Dialogue: 0,0:04:12.52,0:04:14.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,can live and work together\Nin the same world.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:15.24,0:04:17.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because now,\Nseparate linguistic traditions
Dialogue: 0,0:04:17.75,0:04:19.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,are no longer communicative obstacles,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:19.75,0:04:21.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but actually resources.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:21.48,0:04:23.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Social, cultural, intellectual,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:23.76,0:04:28.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,even emotional resources\Nthat we can all share and enjoy together.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:29.26,0:04:31.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, how do we do it?\NHow do we get that foot in the door?
Dialogue: 0,0:04:31.81,0:04:33.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,At least that foot in the door.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:33.23,0:04:34.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,First and foremost,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:34.52,0:04:36.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,what we need to understand\Nis our own psychology.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:36.92,0:04:40.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We need to understand that it's the social\Nand the emotional aspects
Dialogue: 0,0:04:40.18,0:04:42.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of language learning\Nthat decide everything.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:42.17,0:04:44.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because when we first start\Nto learn a language,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:44.25,0:04:46.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's humiliating.\NEmbarrassing. It's frustrating.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:47.74,0:04:51.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So this gets you guys all rushing\Nat the door to go learn a language.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:51.56,0:04:54.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But this is because as adults,\Nas teenagers,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:54.25,0:04:57.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we measure ourselves on how well\Nwe can present ourselves with our words.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:57.76,0:04:59.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And in a new language\Nwe lose that control,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:59.81,0:05:01.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and we run screaming away from that.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:01.88,0:05:03.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We dodge conversations.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:03.38,0:05:04.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We hide on a linguistic sideline.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:05.01,0:05:07.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We do anything to avoid\Na simple face-to-face conversation,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:07.82,0:05:11.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which is the one thing, the only thing\Nthat's going to make us better.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:11.06,0:05:14.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And as English speakers in today's world,\Nthe world is very accommodating of that.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:14.99,0:05:16.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It makes it very easy for us
Dialogue: 0,0:05:16.73,0:05:19.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to indulge in our instinct to just bailout
Dialogue: 0,0:05:19.24,0:05:21.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when we get linguistic stage fright.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:22.28,0:05:23.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So what do we do?
Dialogue: 0,0:05:23.40,0:05:25.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, the short answer is,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:25.06,0:05:27.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we learn to check our shame at the door.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:27.72,0:05:29.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We learn to embrace this loss of control,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:30.02,0:05:31.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,enjoy the fact that we've been
Dialogue: 0,0:05:31.75,0:05:33.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,--more or less involuntarily--
Dialogue: 0,0:05:33.23,0:05:35.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,given a second childhood\Nin a new language.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:36.25,0:05:37.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Right?
Dialogue: 0,0:05:39.97,0:05:41.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, if we can do this,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:42.50,0:05:45.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,then we have learned to shift our job,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:45.52,0:05:47.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,reframe our job.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:47.49,0:05:50.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To not from trying to seek out perfection,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:51.02,0:05:52.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not making any mistakes,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:52.26,0:05:54.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but instead, just learning to cope well.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:55.21,0:06:00.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the best place to learn\Nlinguistic coping skills
Dialogue: 0,0:06:00.25,0:06:04.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is through simply learning\Nhow to improvise.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:04.76,0:06:08.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Learning how to use description,\Nmetaphor, analogy.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:08.76,0:06:10.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To work around the words\Nthat we don't know.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:10.90,0:06:14.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So for example, if I don't know\Nhow to say tiger in your language,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:14.24,0:06:18.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I will say, "It's a thing,\Nit's like a cat but big and orange,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:18.76,0:06:21.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the one behind you\Nlooks a little bit hungry."
Dialogue: 0,0:06:21.52,0:06:22.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:06:23.28,0:06:25.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's these clunky\Nbut effective descriptions
Dialogue: 0,0:06:25.52,0:06:30.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that actually get us through\Nany conversation.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:30.52,0:06:32.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And when we learn\Nto congratulate ourselves on them,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:33.01,0:06:34.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when we realize that,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:34.50,0:06:37.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Wow, this person actually\Nunderstood what I said,"
Dialogue: 0,0:06:37.63,0:06:39.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,then we feel good about ourselves.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:39.25,0:06:41.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We find they understood what I said
Dialogue: 0,0:06:41.76,0:06:43.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and now, even better,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:43.10,0:06:45.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they're telling me how to say it right.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:45.06,0:06:47.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's a language lesson\Nthat we will never ever forget.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:48.50,0:06:49.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Never.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:49.55,0:06:52.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, there's actually\Na second lesson inside this,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:52.51,0:06:55.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which is that, language \Nis not all on you.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:55.52,0:06:58.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When you and I speak together,\Nwe make meaning together.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:58.84,0:07:00.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So learning to cope well
Dialogue: 0,0:07:00.06,0:07:02.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in an another language,\Nis as much, if not more,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:02.53,0:07:04.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,about learning to lean\Non the other person's
Dialogue: 0,0:07:04.76,0:07:06.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,full and complete knowledge\Nof the language
Dialogue: 0,0:07:07.01,0:07:10.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and even more\Non their willingness to help you
Dialogue: 0,0:07:10.26,0:07:12.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,make this conversation happen.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:12.74,0:07:17.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So again,\Nif we learn to reframe our task,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:17.04,0:07:18.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,reframe our job,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:18.28,0:07:24.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as being effective, not perfect,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:24.24,0:07:27.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,then every conversation stops being\Nthis potential minefield
Dialogue: 0,0:07:27.50,0:07:30.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of embarrassing mistakes and errors.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:30.43,0:07:33.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Instead, it's an exciting place\Nfor us to come back to every time.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:33.57,0:07:35.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because you get to be your own MacGyver.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:35.36,0:07:37.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You get to rummage around\Nin your linguistic pockets
Dialogue: 0,0:07:37.57,0:07:40.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and pull out a toothbrush,\Na button and a paperclip,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:40.04,0:07:41.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and couple that all together
Dialogue: 0,0:07:41.50,0:07:44.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and somehow pull off\Nthe communicative job.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:44.74,0:07:45.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Right?
Dialogue: 0,0:07:45.84,0:07:48.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When you feel that thrill\Nof being a linguistic hero
Dialogue: 0,0:07:48.47,0:07:49.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,time and time again,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:49.53,0:07:53.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you come back to conversations,\Nyou seek them out, you want to be there.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:53.03,0:07:56.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And when you approach\Nthe task like that, well pretty soon,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:56.76,0:07:58.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you find yourself fairly close to fluent.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:58.94,0:08:03.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So that's how we cope\Nwith linguistic stage fright.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:03.34,0:08:05.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,With linguistic performance anxiety.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:05.22,0:08:07.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Which is 90% of what holds us back.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:07.77,0:08:10.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The only thing left\Nis of course the language.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:11.03,0:08:12.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,All the pronunciation.\NAll the grammar.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:13.02,0:08:14.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,All the vocabulary.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:14.23,0:08:16.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's really intimidating,\Nbut mostly because
Dialogue: 0,0:08:16.38,0:08:18.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we're all trying to juggle it all at once.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:18.51,0:08:21.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We've got no way to organize it.\NNo way to prioritize it.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:21.78,0:08:23.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There is a way.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:23.09,0:08:27.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What we need is a simple,\Npractical understanding
Dialogue: 0,0:08:27.76,0:08:29.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of the design features of language.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:30.02,0:08:32.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So let me give you\Njust a brief taste of that.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:33.27,0:08:35.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Take pronunciation.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:35.04,0:08:38.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Anybody can learn to pronounce\Nany sound in any language of the world.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:38.34,0:08:39.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Anyone of you. All of you.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:39.63,0:08:41.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If you don't believe me,\Nit's probably because
Dialogue: 0,0:08:41.75,0:08:44.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you've heard the following phrase,\N"Listen and repeat after me."
Dialogue: 0,0:08:44.70,0:08:46.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That doesn't work. It doesn't work.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:47.49,0:08:50.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What does work, is learning\Nthe clear and simple set of instructions
Dialogue: 0,0:08:50.99,0:08:53.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for how to move your mouth\Nto make that weird sound.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:53.52,0:08:56.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,After that, all you need\Nis a little bit of exercise
Dialogue: 0,0:08:56.04,0:08:58.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to work your mouth\Nfor that oral choreography.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:58.44,0:09:00.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And very soon you find\Nthat your muscles limber up.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:00.89,0:09:02.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And what have seemed unfamiliar,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:02.49,0:09:04.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,unpronounceable, unreachable even,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:04.52,0:09:06.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,becomes almost as familiar\Nas every other sound
Dialogue: 0,0:09:06.76,0:09:08.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you have been saying your whole life.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:08.52,0:09:10.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So you don't need any special talent.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:10.50,0:09:14.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You don't need\Nany special ear for language.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:14.24,0:09:15.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You just don't.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:15.35,0:09:16.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But even more importantly,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:16.50,0:09:20.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is rhythm and melody.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:20.25,0:09:22.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When you go after\Nthe distinct cadence of language.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:22.97,0:09:24.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When you try to internalize that,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:25.48,0:09:27.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that particular languages uses,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:27.77,0:09:30.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and use that as the foundation\Nof your own pronunciation,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:30.53,0:09:34.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,well then, it turns out that\Nyour own words come out fluently.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:35.78,0:09:37.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They flow in that cadence.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:37.11,0:09:39.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The cadence is the current\Nthat carries all your words.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:39.80,0:09:41.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Even better, when you've internalized it
Dialogue: 0,0:09:41.82,0:09:43.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and you're waiting for it, expecting it,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:43.77,0:09:46.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,then suddenly, something almost\Nmiraculous happens.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:46.16,0:09:48.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Which is that, native speaker speech
Dialogue: 0,0:09:48.50,0:09:49.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,suddenly doesn’t seem so fast.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:50.02,0:09:53.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because it's that rhythm and that melody\Nthat actually tells you
Dialogue: 0,0:09:53.24,0:09:55.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where the words begin and end.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:55.16,0:09:57.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So that's pronunciation,\Nbut what about grammar?
Dialogue: 0,0:09:57.51,0:09:59.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Grammar is terrifying. Right?
Dialogue: 0,0:09:59.75,0:10:01.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's only because we teach grammar
Dialogue: 0,0:10:01.48,0:10:04.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as a million little disconnected\Narbitrary single rules,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:04.16,0:10:06.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when in fact grammars\Nare tiny little ecosystems.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:06.49,0:10:08.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Every little part\Nfits into every little part.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:08.65,0:10:10.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And if we look at those\Necosystems from the top,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:10.94,0:10:12.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we can see a very helpful simplicity,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:12.75,0:10:14.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which is that, all of those rules
Dialogue: 0,0:10:14.49,0:10:17.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,fall down on one side or the other\Nof what we do when we talk.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:17.76,0:10:20.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Which is, we mention general concepts.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:20.26,0:10:22.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Things like cat and dog.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:22.05,0:10:25.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Events like bite and chase. Right?
Dialogue: 0,0:10:25.24,0:10:26.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then we tie them into
Dialogue: 0,0:10:26.100,0:10:28.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the specifics of this conversation.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:28.74,0:10:30.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My cat, your dog,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:30.51,0:10:33.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that bit me, in yesterday's past tense.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:33.76,0:10:37.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It turns out all grammatical rules\Nactually fall somewhere along the line
Dialogue: 0,0:10:37.35,0:10:40.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,between the general conceptual\Nand the conversation specific.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:40.26,0:10:42.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And once you play round\Nwith this idea for a while,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:42.59,0:10:45.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,grammatical rules become\Nextremely easy to remember.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:45.13,0:10:47.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because now you know\Nwhere they live in the neighborhood
Dialogue: 0,0:10:47.64,0:10:50.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and what their relationships\Nare to their neighbors.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:50.12,0:10:53.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,After that, the only thing\Nthat's left is vocabulary.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:53.76,0:10:56.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Dictionaries full of all the words\Nyou don't know yet.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:56.40,0:10:59.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But it turns out, we don't actually need\Nto know that much vocabulary.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:59.70,0:11:01.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because we have our coping skills.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:01.36,0:11:03.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We can talk around the words\Nthat we don't know.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:03.56,0:11:07.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We can listen, from context work out\Na lot of the new words we're hearing.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:07.77,0:11:09.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And when all else fails,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:09.22,0:11:12.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,now we know we have license\Nto simply ask for help.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:13.50,0:11:15.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So what words do we actually\Nneed to learn first?
Dialogue: 0,0:11:18.23,0:11:20.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The short words.\NThe small words.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:20.50,0:11:22.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The little linking words.\N"Thing" is one of them.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:24.24,0:11:28.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The words like: and, or, but, of, the,\Nwho, what, when, where and why.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:29.02,0:11:32.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because these'll get you\Nthe most expressive bang for your buck.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:32.06,0:11:35.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These're the words that'll save you\Nwhen you need to deep in the conversation.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:35.77,0:11:37.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You know exactly what you want to say,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:37.61,0:11:38.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,then you hit this wall
Dialogue: 0,0:11:38.76,0:11:41.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because you realize you've not learned\Nthe word "almost".
Dialogue: 0,0:11:42.27,0:11:44.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:11:44.26,0:11:46.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When you focus on those words\Nfrom the get-go,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:46.50,0:11:49.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you find you've the frame,\Nthe outlines of language up and running,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:49.78,0:11:52.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then there's only one thing left:\Nthe rest of the language.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:53.26,0:11:55.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And there's a trick for this.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:56.21,0:11:58.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To prioritize the rest of vocabulary,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:58.23,0:11:59.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,get what you need first,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:59.79,0:12:02.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you can start with\Nthe egocentric experience of the body.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:02.74,0:12:04.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You say okay, my eyes, they see.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:04.74,0:12:07.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They see and they look.\NMy ears, they listen and they hear.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:07.77,0:12:09.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My hands, they pick up and put down.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:09.61,0:12:13.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My mind, it knows, it feels,\Nit loves, it understands,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:13.40,0:12:15.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and when it tries to learn a language,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:15.30,0:12:17.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,sometimes it remembers\Nand sometimes it forgets.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:17.77,0:12:22.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When you get these words, these core\Nverbs of interaction and experience,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:22.14,0:12:24.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and tie them together\Nwith all those little linking words,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:24.95,0:12:27.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's a very small set of vocabulary\Nthat you actually know,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:27.81,0:12:29.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but it happens to be precisely
Dialogue: 0,0:12:29.24,0:12:33.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the set of expressive tools that you need\Nto make your way through any conversation.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:34.74,0:12:38.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, I hope that I have convinced you
Dialogue: 0,0:12:38.25,0:12:41.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that this is not just for linguists.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:41.26,0:12:44.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Anybody can learn a language.\NAnybody can get that foot in the door,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:44.51,0:12:46.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which is the part that really matters.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:47.48,0:12:50.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You can do it. Right here. Right now.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:51.50,0:12:54.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,All it really takes,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:54.27,0:12:58.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is a somewhat better sense\Nof where our emotions are at.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:58.15,0:13:00.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Where our heart is at\Nwhen we go to learn a language.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:00.84,0:13:02.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And also a better sense,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:02.75,0:13:05.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of how language actually\Ndoes fit into our minds.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:06.68,0:13:07.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And if this is possible
Dialogue: 0,0:13:07.90,0:13:10.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it means that joining\Na new speech community
Dialogue: 0,0:13:10.03,0:13:11.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is much easier than you think.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:11.48,0:13:15.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That can take a lot of the pressure off\Nof the people who've been told,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:15.05,0:13:19.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"You need to abandon your small language\Nin favor of this big large language."
Dialogue: 0,0:13:20.71,0:13:22.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But there's more.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:22.24,0:13:24.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Every language that I have ever learned,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:24.48,0:13:27.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,every language\Nthat I even started to learn,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:27.39,0:13:31.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,has radically reshaped\Nhow I look at the world.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:31.31,0:13:33.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How I deal with people.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:33.28,0:13:35.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How I think. And that's lovely.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:36.02,0:13:39.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But even more important than that,\Nare the people that I've met,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:39.26,0:13:41.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the ways I've been able to meet them
Dialogue: 0,0:13:41.50,0:13:43.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because of learning their language.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:43.48,0:13:44.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They have changed my life
Dialogue: 0,0:13:44.97,0:13:47.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in more ways that I can even\Nbegin to describe here.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:47.73,0:13:50.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Up till now, that kind of opportunities
Dialogue: 0,0:13:50.24,0:13:52.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,only have been available\Nto trained linguists
Dialogue: 0,0:13:52.80,0:13:56.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the occasional genius savant polyglot.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:56.50,0:13:59.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But now, we all have the meat.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:59.78,0:14:03.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so there's nothing more\NI can say, except, go for it.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:03.02,0:14:04.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Good luck.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:04.05,0:14:06.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)