Multilinguish

Is comedy the same everywhere? If you've ever tried to tell a joke in another language and had it fall flat, you may say "no." We talk about how comedy in translation is complex, and we have multilingual comedian Eddie Izzard explain how and why she's learned to perform standup comedy in multiple languages. Note: Since this episode aired, Izzard has started using “she”/“her” pronouns. Because of this, the pronouns used in the episode are outdated. Get 50% off a 3-month Babbel subscription by visiting babbel.com/podcast and using the code MULTI. For more info about what we discussed in this episode, visit Babbel Magazine: babbel.com/en/magazine/multilinguish-how-to-be-funny/ Special thanks to Eddie Izzard for taking the time to talk to us.

ASMR, hypnosis, healing crystals, learning in your sleep. Can any of these "alternative" language-learning methods actually work? Or are you wasting your time and money? We bust some myths about these unconventional techniques and discuss how they could potentially supplement your studies.Get 50% off a 3-month Babbel subscription by visiting babbel.com/podcast and using the code MULTI.For more info about what we discussed in this episode, visit Babbel Magazine:babbel.com/magazine/multilinguish-asmr-hypnosis-crystalsSpecial thanks to Elise ASMR and Dr. Steve G. Jones. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChCV973VxXQjLXmDo2Ufqzw/featured

One language dies approximately every 14 days, and we're on track for half of the world's languages to go extinct by the end of this century. We spoke with the director and co-founder of Wikitongues about why we should be hopeful about language revitalization anyway.Get 50% off a 3-month Babbel subscription by visiting babbel.com/podcast and using the code MULTI.Special thanks to Daniel Bögre Udell for taking the time to talk to us for this episode.For more info about what we discussed in this episode, visit Babbel Magazine:babbel.com/magazine/multilinguish-dead-and-endangered-languages/

Why does it seem like Europeans are better at learning languages than Americans and Brits? The team talks to language experts about how geography, education and motivation drive this divide, and what we can do to close the gap.Get 50% off a 3-month Babbel subscription by visiting babbel.com/podcast and using the code MULTI.Special thanks to Markus Witte, Caroline Paboeuf, Jenny Dorman and Sophie Harwood.For more info about what we discussed in this episode, visit Babbel Magazine:babbel.com/magazine/multilinguish-european-american-language-learning/

Coming this fall, get ready for Season 2 of Multilinguish! The Babbel content team explores language in everyday life, including: learning with ASMR, hypnosis and crystals, why languages die, how to be funny in other languages, and much more. Don’t miss out, subscribe now!Clips courtesy of:Elise ASMRBen DuMonde

It’s the question that sparked a million memes. We explain why it matters, and how these “memes of ambiguity” give us insight into language and the human psyche.Season 2 is coming this fall! Be sure to subscribe wherever you get podcasts.Get 50% off a 3-month Babbel subscription by visiting babbel.com/podcast and using the code MULTI.For more info about what we discussed in this episode, visit Babbel Magazine:babbel.com/en/magazine/multilinguish-hot-dog-sandwich

Have you ever thought about leaving the U.S. to live in another country? Here are the stories of three people who did just that.Season 2 is coming this fall! Be sure to subscribe wherever you get podcasts.Get 50% off a 3-month Babbel subscription by visiting babbel.com/podcast and using the code MULTI.Special thanks to Claire Larkin, John Quintana, Ted Mentele and Tom Crewther.For more info about what we discussed in this episode, visit Babbel Magazine:babbel.com/magazine/multilinguish-living-abroad

What are the sexiest European accents, according to Americans? And the sexiest American accents, according to Europeans? In this episode, we’re joined by a panel of Americans and a panel of Europeans to discuss these crucial questions. And we discover that how we feel about an accent often has more to do with us than with the accent itself. Enjoy Season 1 of Multilinguish? Take our listener feedback survey: https://forms.gle/2GranGuWRMHJkV6Z8. We’ll be back soon with bonus episodes and updates about Season 2, so stay tuned. Get 50% off a 3-month Babbel subscription by visiting babbel.com/podcast and using the code MULTI. Special thanks to actress Amy Walker for providing many of the accent audio clips: http://amywalkeronline.com/ For more info about what we discussed in this episode, visit Babbel Magazine: babbel.com/magazine/multilinguish-sexiest-accents/

Producers David Doochin, Steph Koyfman, Thomas Moore Devlin and Dylan Lyons explore unexplained language puzzles that have stood the test of time, including the Rongorongo language, the language of the Zuni people, and the enigmatic Voynich Manuscript. In the immortal words of Robert Stack: “Join us. Perhaps *you* may be able to help solve a mystery.” Later on, in What We Learned This Week, the whole team gathers to talk about cryptologic linguists, the etymology of New Orleans food, the etymology of turkey and Danish consonants. Get 50% off a 3-month Babbel subscription by visiting babbel.com/podcast and using the code MULTI.For more info about what we discussed in this episode, visit Babbel Magazine:babbel.com/magazine/unsolved-language-mysteries

Travel is one of the biggest motivators for Americans to learn a foreign language. But what if the words you need to express yourself don’t actually exist? Producer Steph Koyfman shares what she learned from speaking with solo female travel advocates, LGBTQ* identifying travel bloggers as well as Babbel’s own team of linguists. Later on, the entire team joins for a roundtable of our own solo travel anecdotes and advice.Get 50% off a 3-month Babbel subscription by visiting babbel.com/podcast and using the code MULTI.Special thanks to Amanda Kendle, Francesca Murray and Bani Amor for sharing their advice with us.For more info about what we discussed in this episode, visit Babbel Magazine:babbel.com/magazine/best-travel-advice

In the same ways language connects us, it can just as easily divide us. Producers Thomas Moore Devlin and David Doochin debate the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, which is the idea that different languages create different worldviews. This episode also features insight from academic and linguist John McWhorter, who wrote the book “The Language Hoax”. Later on, the entire team joins for a round of What We Learned This Week to talk about origins of color words, how languages and history are intertwined in South Africa and the pseudoscience of using crystals for language learning.Get 50% off a 3-month Babbel subscription by visiting babbel.com/podcast and using the code MULTI.Special thanks to John McWhorter for taking the time to speak with us.For more info about what we discussed in this episode, visit Babbel Magazine:babbel.com/magazine/sapir-what

We teach robots everything they know — including our own human idiosyncrasies when it comes to language. Computational linguist Kate McCurdy joins producers Thomas Moore Devlin and Dylan Lyons to explain the consequences our own language can have on artificial intelligence. Later on, the entire team joins for a round of What We Learned This Week, featuring Chinese typewriters, the world’s oldest language, Marie Kondo, and more. We, for our part, welcome our new robot overlords.Get 50% off a 3-month Babbel subscription by visiting babbel.com/podcast and using the code MULTI.Special thanks to Kate McCurdy for taking the time to speak with us.For more info about what we discussed in this episode, visit Babbel Magazine:babbel.com/en/magazine/sexist-robots/

Join the editorial team at Babbel as we nerd out about all the fascinating, fun and sometimes weird ways language connects us all. Together, our team has almost 50 years of language education, and we're finally ready to put it to use. Coming March 2019. Stay in touch by following @BabbelUSA on social media, and get to know us better by reading Babbel Magazine: https://www.babbel.com/en-US/magazine/