Me, A Linguist??

This is where we are right now. This is Palmer Lake, CO.And this is the view behind the lodge we're staying in. Yes...I know....it's awesome!

We're in intense linguistics training out here in CO. We're not here learning Turkish...we're here learning methods to apply to learn Turkish quickly and correctly (emphasis on correctly). We are learning to hear different sounds and repeat those sounds correctly. We are also participating in drills to loosen up our mouths so that we can make sounds that are not found in the English language (English has 44 sounds). It sounds bizzare-o, and believe me, at times it feels bizzare-o!! We watch ourselves in little hand held mirrors, and study the way our lips and tongues move as we make sounds that are completely un-natural for English speakers. But, apparently this method is wildly successful!!

The best part? During breaks we've been going on easy hikes along the trail behind the lodge. It's fantastic!