The Great Language Game is fascinating! It's a multiple choice quiz: listen to a language, and try to figure out which language it is. I was quite pleased with my scores when I played it twice several weeks ago.
How well did you score? Did you find it too challenging (i.e. frustrating), or was it an interesting or fun experience?
I wish I were more multi-lingual than I am; the languages that I do speak are really only thanks to immersion a child, but somewhere deep inside of me lurks a linguist, because I love hearing different languages and trying to decipher what they are. Naturally, living in the DC area means I hear and overhear a variety of languages more frequently. Just last night I was in a children's clothing store, overhearing a couple speak in a language that I recognized as Slavic, but could not place precisely. I typically don't walk up to strangers to ask what language they are speaking, although it's something I have experienced myself many a time. One of my favorite (or least favorite) experiences in that regard took place ago many years ago in the Midwest. If I recall correctly, my mom and I were out shopping, and were asked what we were speaking. One of us responded, "Latvian," to which the questioner said, "Latin? I hear that is a difficult language!" Sigh...should we talk about the complete lack of geography education in this country?
If you do play the Great Language Game, leave a comment -- you don't need to divulge your score, just let me know what you thought of the experience!
I wish I were more multi-lingual than I am; the languages that I do speak are really only thanks to immersion a child, but somewhere deep inside of me lurks a linguist, because I love hearing different languages and trying to decipher what they are. Naturally, living in the DC area means I hear and overhear a variety of languages more frequently. Just last night I was in a children's clothing store, overhearing a couple speak in a language that I recognized as Slavic, but could not place precisely. I typically don't walk up to strangers to ask what language they are speaking, although it's something I have experienced myself many a time. One of my favorite (or least favorite) experiences in that regard took place ago many years ago in the Midwest. If I recall correctly, my mom and I were out shopping, and were asked what we were speaking. One of us responded, "Latvian," to which the questioner said, "Latin? I hear that is a difficult language!" Sigh...should we talk about the complete lack of geography education in this country?
If you do play the Great Language Game, leave a comment -- you don't need to divulge your score, just let me know what you thought of the experience!
I'd ,ove to give this a go, but the sound isn't working on our home computer (and I can't really get away with doing it at work..). Maybe Jan will let me use his laptop?
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear it's not working on your computer. I figure with your excellent English and German abilities, you might do quite well!
DeleteNice quiz, I scored a miserable 350. I was pleased at identifying a couple of them though, Bulgarian vs Slovak threw me, but then I heard "da" and I know that the Slovak word for yes is "ano", also Northern Sami reminded me of the Swedish accent a little. I'm very embarrassed that I didn't get Scots gaelic, considering I have Scottish ancestry.
ReplyDeleteI'll admit that I've scored as low as 450, and my method of identifying languages has not been anywhere near as scientific as yours! The very first time I played, however, I managed a 1,050 - beginner's luck, maybe? I learned of the quiz initially from the US ambassador to Latvia's twitter feed...and he had scored a perfect score! However, considering most American diplomats have to undergo intensive language training before each new post, it isn't too surprising.
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