Polyglots Anonymous

Project ALOT 2015 Update/Navajo Goal/Endangered Languages #13 & #14/ICLDC Trip

Happy New Year! OK, that was 30 days ago! Anyway, now it’s (mostly) a new year, some language projects are wrapping up as other ones are beginning, travel plans and language conferences are on the horizon, and I’m now beginning to ramp up my networking, advocacy, reviews, videos, and updates! Plus, more languages in 2015! So without further ado, here’s what’s going on so far: New Languages! January’s language (lucky #13!!) happens to be CHEROKEE And #14 (theoretically beginning tomorrow) will be MAORI News on old languages (Aren’t all languages pretty old? Hmm….) First up, as of the end of... Read more →

What Am I Doing? Part II: From This Point On

So where were we? Oh yes. When last we spoke, I was slowly coming out of a distraction-induced coma. I’ve been true to my word and studying the languages I’ve mentioned (Navajo, Manx, Tuvan, Noongar, Quechua, and Nuuchahnulth so far), but I haven’t been doing much about talking about them or about what I’ve learned. I’ll admit that external circumstances have left me in a bit of a funk, but I feel like I’m coming out of that, and ready to work on the next phase of Project ALOT! So what can you expect in the next few weeks (and... Read more →

What Am I Doing? Part I: Up To Now

What am I doing? I ask myself that constantly. I’ve been studying five endangered languages since January 1st. But what of it? I haven’t posted much about any of it. In fact, I never even posted May’s language, and June 1st is right around the corner. So what gives? What’s been going on? It’s been a long and hectic five months. Life has been a mix of chaos and distraction. Work has been busy and stressful. I’ve had a few side gigs that have eaten up some free time. I’ve been sick (more often than usual). I’ve traveled (less often... Read more →

Project ALOT: Why Navajo?

Hi there, Language Fans, Navajo Learners-To-Be, Dying Language Savers, and anyone who came to this site accidentally—we don’t discriminate! At last, another video! Here I discuss why I’ve chosen the Navajo language as Project ALOT’s first language. (And no, the person in the video is not a computer-generated character. He’s an actual person. Really.) Here are some of my favorite links on the Navajo Star Wars project. There's a ton of stuff out there on this project, but here are just a few of my favorites. Here's the original announcement that Star Wars was being dubbed into Navajo (with info... Read more →

Project ALOT Q&A: Is More Really Better?

Hi everyone! So far it's only been a few days since my first post announcing Project ALOT from a reader who writes: May I first wish you success. Would it not be better learning say two languages fluently rather than bits of 24 languages? Will you be learning these languages through translation through English thus creating an English/minority hybrid language rather than from within the language itself? ~F. Hi, F. (Not sure if you want me to keep your identity hidden, even though you mentioned your name in the original comment. Actually, I'm just too lazy to type it out.)... Read more →

Project ALOT Endangered Language #1

Hi Everyone, Here's a quick post for now. I'm excited that I've gotten a great deal of feedback, so thanks to everyone for spreading the word and checking out this blog. I've gotten a few comments and messages, so I'll be responding to those soon. I'm currently preparing to travel soon, and it looks like I might have a delayed flight at some point, so I might be away from the computer for a longer period of time than I prefer. Gotta love these Chicago winters... But I had to let you know that the first endangered language on my... Read more →