Lindsay Does Languages: YouTube Channel and Website Review

Hello, everyone! I hope that you have all had a great week so far. For this week’s blog post, I wanted to talk to you about one of my favorite language YouTube channels: Lindsay Does Languages. Lindsay Williams is a British YouTuber and a full-time language blogger who has delved into language-learning for many years now. She has recently started a YouTube series called “Language Stories” and “Languages in Action” where she takes you on a journey to New York and its subway system, Havana, Montreal, el Salvador, and Mexico to show us many of the mysterious, yet innovative ways in which languages have been revived and preserved despite globalization and other factors that could do just the opposite—completely erase cultures and the knowledge, customs, and traditions that are associated with them.

Aside from these series, she also has many videos called “9 Reasons to learn (name of language.” I believe that these are some of her most popular videos, as she makes sure to talk with linguists and language experts before convincing us about the benefits of learning particular languages. I particularly love to watch these videos to learn some fun facts and to have a short history and cultural lesson along the way.

As she says on her website, “Lindsay Does Languages was born in 2012 as a local company in the heart of little old England offering private language tuition…Since then, Lindsay Does Languages has evolved to offering coaching packages and online courses both for language learners and online language tutors.” Her website is also an excellent language-learning resource for those who want to know about what they can do when they feel stuck in their progress, do not want where to start, or do not know what to do next.

She, along with Steve Leveene (mentioned in last week’s blog post about the podcast America the Bilingual), also grew up monolingually, but has become very fascinated by the ways that languages and cultures go hand in hand. She teaches, learns, and breathes everything related to languages. However, it is also important to keep in mind that she recognizes her own faults, as well as those of others, in this lifelong learning process. For those of you who can relate with them more-so than with me, since I grew up bilingually, I highly recommend that you check out both Lindsay’s YouTube channel and website. Let’s help spread the word about the ethnographic, linguistic, and cultural research and insights that she is giving to the world through podcast, videos, and documentary-type YouTube videos that deserve more views.

Link to her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/LindsayDoesLanguages/videos

Link to her website: http://www.lindsaydoeslanguages.com/all-about/about-lindsay-does-languages/

How to Fall in Love With a Language

You may be surprised by the title of this post, and if that is the case, then there is no need to worry, because I felt the same way when I first watched Luca Lampariello’s video that is down below. I have already used this terminology before, but even so, it can be hard to explain why I “am in love” with a language, as falling in love with something is usually only applied to people. On the other hand, falling in love with a language is a passion and a drive. When you experience this feeling and have such a strong connection to one, it is hard to let it go and not be in constant interaction with it.

Although I love all 6 languages that I have studied, it was not until I started learning German that I realized what loving a language truly meant. Before doing so, I had never started a language from scratch, and therefore had never had to go through the full journey of mastering a language. Please keep in mind that I am not fluent in any language other than my two native tongues, Spanish and English, quite yet, but am close to doing so in French, German, and Italian.

To this day, it is hard for me to point out a specific moment in which my infatuation with German grew, however, the simple fact that its grammar, syntax, and ways of phrasing and putting words together was so different from anything that I had ever been asked to do made it thrilling. As I progressed in my German skills, I realized that I could no longer translate from German to English and vice-versa to fully convey my thoughts and express myself. Instead, I had to start thinking like a German and be like one. I could not think of how an American would approach a situation, but rather what a German would say to fill in the gaps in conversations. For example, it is very common for Americans to ask how someone is doing and to receive “good”, or “fine” as a response, when in many cultures saying so may be offensive, or sound exaggerated. In German, I have found it more acceptable to say how I actually feel instead of giving answers that others what me to say (ex: “I am exhausted”, or “I could be better”).

I message my friends whom I met at my language institute in Frankfurt on a daily basis. I have FaceTimed them and have made sure to keep in touch with them by asking them about their lives. Whenever I am sad, or need some motivation to complete a difficult task, I listen to some of my favorite German songs. I also have my phone in German, as it is currently the only langauge that I am not taking in college, so that I can keep it fresh. I watch German YouTube videos, and, most importantly, I keep it close to my heart. It is incorporated into most important parts of my life to ensure that it does not slip away. This does not mean that I go over tedious grammar exercises for hours on end, but rather make it be present throughout the day in whatever ways I can.

As Luca says in the video, in order for you to have a powerful connection with a language, “you have to find a reason…It’s more about the experiences that [you] have with a language, the things that are represented by that language.” I agree with his statement that committing to a language is a lifelong quest. “You have to give it daily care. In order to do that, you have to have some kind of long-term plan, or goal.” You cannot only know how to keep this love story going, but you also have to know why you are trying to do so and know how to deal with this love that you have developed over time. In other words, you have to make your language be present in your life by learning about topics that are personal to you. You have to make it exciting and make some sacrifices by doing whatever you would otherwise do in your mother tongue in your target language (ex: by watching videos, listening to music, or watching cook shows) without forcing yourself, or dreading to do so.

If you have not experienced this feeling yet, I want you to know that I believe in you. Now that 2016 is coming to a clsoe, it is a perfect opportunity for you to reassess what you have done thus far in your language-learning process: what has worked and what has not, as well as what you want to continue to do, what you would like to start doing, and what you should no longer do. Remember that the most important thing is that you enjoy the process, no matter how many roadblocks you may face. It is important to constantly remind yourself why you are learning that language in the first place and to be thankful that that language is a part of your life. Once you remind yourself of all of the people and memories that you associate with it, you will be off to a great start.

As a bonus, here is a link of a Huffington Post article titled: “Falling in Love with a Foreign Language: The Risks of a Metaphor” that you may find interesting: http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/lucy-bell/learning-foreign-language_b_7488534.html.

Tim Doner: The Hyperpolyglot That Inspired Me

By simply reading the title of this blog post, you might be wondering, what is a hyperpolyglot? A hyperpolyglot is someone who speaks six, or more languages fluently. A few years ago, I was in my room watching YouTube videos after a long week of school, and stumbled upon a video that changed my life. It not only made me research what a hyperpolyglot was, but also made me want to become one. That night, my goal seemed unreachable, and unachievable. I only spoke Spanish and English fluently, and could stumble my way through French. Fast-forward to now, I have extensively studied 6 languages, and am working on my seventh.

I wanted to share this video with you, because it holds a special place in my heart. It introduced me to an online hyperpolyglot community on YouTube, and has allowed me to find my sense of self, my true identity, and the real me. I continue to be amazed by how dedicated Tim Doner has been, and how passionate he is about learning. In my opinion, he is the true testament of what our brains are capable of, and of our innate ability to speak many languages fluently.

Many people could make the argument and say that his brain is simply wired differently, or that he was born smarter than most, but I will say otherwise. He represents to what hard work, determination, and consistent studying can eventually lead. As you will see in the video above, he has always been willing to speak with native speakers, even as a beginner, and has spent many hours pursuing his love for language learning.

To those who are not hyperpolyglots, I challenge you to rethink about several things:

`1. Do not simply believe that someone who is a hyperpolyglot is a genius. 

Most of the best hyperpolyglots have spent years, and sometimes even decades, perfecting their oral, speaking, writing, and reading skills. They are passionate, fearless, and dedicated. They do not let roadblocks, or their slow progress get them down. Instead, they look for reasons to motivate them to continue with their studies.


2. If you are someone who speaks more than one language, and or is learning more than one at a time, I hope that this video inspires you. 

Who knows? Maybe it will introduce you to a new way in which you can think about approaching foreign language acquisition, and learning.


3. Start listening to more audio input, and practice your speaking skills whenever you interact with a native speaker of your target language.

As Tim Doner says in the video, you may make many mistakes, or feel uncomfortable, but what matters is that you are trying to have a stronger, and a personal connection with someone whose native tongue is not English. Native speakers appreciate it when foreigners take the time to learn their language, especially if it is distantly related to English, and are very patient with you if you express an interest, or attempt to speak with them as soon as you see them.


4. Share this video with your friends, and family.

I am sure that there are many people like me who have a love for languages, but have had many obstacles, or roadblocks along the way. This video could help someone recharge his/her batteries by giving him/her a new perspective on language-learning.

I hope that you enjoyed learning more about hyperpolyglotism, and about an individual who has taught us that our brains do not have as many limits as we once thought that they had.