I Learned Persian For Two Weeks (CHALLENGE)

TL;DR

A two-week journey learning Persian to connect with Iranians.

Transcript

I'm giving myself 2 weeks to learn as much of the Persian language as possible will I be fluent in 2 weeks no of course not but I want to learn enough to be able to reach out and make a connection with the people of Persia the people of Iran fari or Persian is the official language and National lingua franka of Iran and there's a large Persian dias... Read More

Key Insights

• The challenge involved learning Persian in two weeks to connect with Iranian people, focusing on conversational skills rather than fluency.
• Various resources were used, including Pimsleur audio courses, Anki flashcards, and a Lonely Planet phrasebook, to aid in learning Persian.
• Online conversational lessons with native speakers were crucial for practical speaking practice, highlighting the importance of comprehensible input.
• The experience revealed the difficulty of finding Iranian speakers on certain platforms due to access issues, necessitating alternative methods to connect.
• Learning a language involves understanding cultural nuances; avoiding sensitive topics like current events can prevent discomfort in conversations.
• The challenge demonstrated that diving into language learning headfirst can be effective, though chaotic, especially for quick learning of basics.
• Persian language features many Arabic loanwords and uses the Perso-Arabic script, making it geographically Middle Eastern but linguistically Indo-European.
• The journey emphasized the value of learning the basics of a language for deeper cultural insight and personal connections.

Questions & Answers

Q: What resources were used to learn Persian in the challenge?

The learner used a combination of resources including the Pimsleur audio course for pronunciation, Anki flashcards for vocabulary retention, and a Lonely Planet phrasebook for useful sentences. These resources helped in building a foundational understanding of Persian and aided in conversational practice.

Q: How did the learner practice speaking Persian with native speakers?

The learner engaged in online conversational lessons with native Persian speakers through platforms like iTalki. This provided an opportunity to practice speaking in a real-world context, allowing the learner to receive feedback and improve their conversational skills with patient and kind tutors.

Q: What challenges were faced in finding Iranian speakers for practice?

The learner faced difficulties finding Iranian speakers on certain video chat applications due to access restrictions in Iran. This required alternative methods like reaching out to the Lang Focus audience, where some viewers from Iran were able to connect and converse.

Q: Why is it important to avoid discussing current events with Iranian speakers?

Discussing current events can make Iranian speakers uncomfortable due to the sensitive nature of political and social issues in Iran. The learner found that mentioning such topics led to awkwardness or abrupt ends to conversations, highlighting the need for cultural sensitivity.

Q: What insights were gained about Persian language and culture?

The learner discovered that Persian, while geographically a Middle Eastern language, is linguistically Indo-European with many Arabic loanwords. This understanding, along with learning about Iranian geography and culture, provided deeper insights into the language and its speakers.

Q: What approach was taken to learn Persian quickly?

The learner took an intense and immersive approach, diving in headfirst by focusing on essential vocabulary and phrases for basic conversations. This method emphasized practical usage over structured learning, allowing for rapid acquisition of conversational skills despite being chaotic.

Q: How did the learner's perception of Persian change after the challenge?

Initially perceived as a geographically Middle Eastern language, the learner's understanding evolved to appreciate Persian's Indo-European roots and its intuitive nature for English speakers. This perception shift enhanced the learner's appreciation for the language and its cultural context.

Q: What is the value of learning the basics of a language?

Learning the basics of a language allows for meaningful connections with native speakers and provides cultural insights. Even simple conversations can open up new worlds, fostering understanding and appreciation of different cultures, as experienced by the learner in their interactions with Iranians.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The video documents a two-week challenge to learn Persian, focusing on conversational skills to connect with Iranian people. The learner used resources like Pimsleur and Anki, and engaged in online lessons with native speakers to practice speaking.

• Challenges included finding Iranian speakers due to access issues and navigating cultural sensitivities in conversations. The learner discovered the importance of comprehensible input and avoiding sensitive topics like current events.

• The experience highlighted that diving into language learning can be effective for quickly acquiring basics, though chaotic. Persian's linguistic features and cultural insights enriched the learner's understanding and connection with Iranians.