95/100 This Other Dumb Marketing Campaign I Can’t Forget Pt. 2/2
Babble’s Turkish Challenge
I’m not done yet with Babble campaigns. They’re really brilliant, honestly.
So here is another that absolutely melted my brain. Seriously, ask my family about my immediate reaction to this and they will immediately recognize what you’re talking about and how long I would not shut up about this. Only my haircut in Belgrade rivals this moment (again, ask them.)
Somewhere, in the linguistic caves of the internet or someplace, Babble found these two random twins in Germany who speak several languages. They are polyglots, and searching this basic term will likely bring them to stage (TED or otherwise).
When we meet them at this point, they are already well versed in a few languages, nearly all the main romance languages, German, Hebrew, and maybe another one or two. They seem to study languages as a way of life, and what a win to be sponsored for it.
This little challenge of theirs changed my view of the world around me, for they used their neighborhood to base this challenge. In this part of Germany where they live, there is a massive Turkish community, and in this challenge they have given themselves a week to learn Turkish.
Now, this is gnarly. It’s a fitting challenge for them, but mostly just a good example for anyone else. For instance, to learn the language, they spend the morning one day in this challenge learning numbers and foods. Then they go to a Turkish market to practice. It seems basic, but it is truly an ingenious thing. Languages are a social tool, even if only read. It is about connection, and the immediate trial of putting forward what they just learned is excellent practice.
Like the French Challenge, I dream of doing this one day. Not with Turkish but just generally at some point.
This has changed my approach to language learning by a guide in answering what language should I learn? You can learn literally whatever you want, but as a thought towards the hardest part, maintaining it, you could learn what is already spoken around you and simply participate in normal life around you and celebrate those who made your life richer.
This is a large part why I am teaching myself Amharic. The official language of Ethiopia, I want to try these same tactics in the Turkish challenge and do my version of an Amharic Challenge. Call me if you want to join.
More soon,
Trevor