You Don't Suck At Languages

Have you tried to learn a foreign language before, but couldn't get it to stick? Did you take a class in high school or college and immediately forget everything but the most basic vocabulary once you got through it? Have you bought an expensive language course and still can't understand or put together a regular sentence?

It's probably not you, but rather the way you were taught or the way you tried to study. I've spent a year putting together this zine to try and close the gap between what we think works for language study, and what actually works. And honestly, to nerd out a little bit about languages and share it with you.

I go over some basic theory about how we acquire languages, ways to apply that theory, testing out some techniques with a small language called toki pona, and going over some basic practical linguistics to give you a boost in your studies.

I've put everything in accessible language- I don't want to talk down to you or just toss a bunch of jargon at you and just expect you to understand. I really want to help us understand each other a bit more.

Length: 66 pages of text and/or diagrams

Coming Soon: I plan to release a version of this zine with full-color art soon, so keep an eye out!

NOTE: If you are a member of an Indigenous tribe/nation of North or Central America or Australia working to revitalize your language, contact me and I can get you a copy of this zine- I would love to help!

CC BY-SA glyphs used in the zine are available in the sidebar, and the IPA chart is available below: