Book description
"The language learning I want to talk about is sensory bombardment. It is a possession, a bedevilment, a physical takeover," writes Polly Barton in her eloquent treatise on this profoundly humbling and gratifying act. Shortly before graduating with a degree in philosophy from the University of Cambridge, Barton on a whim accepted an English-teaching position in Japan. With the characteristic ambivalence of a twenty-one-year-old whose summer--and life--stretched out almost infinitely before her, she moved to a remote island in the Sea of Japan, unaware that this journey would come to define not only her career but her very understanding of her own identity.Divided into fifty onomatopoeic Japanese phrases, Fifty Sounds recounts Barton's path to becoming a literary translator fluent in an incredibly difficult vernacular. From "min-min," the sound of air screaming, to "jin-jin," the sound of being touched for the first time, Barton analyzes these and countless other foreign sounds and phrases as a means of reflecting on various cultural attitudes, including the nuances of conformity and the challenges of being an outsider in what many consider a hermetically sealed society.In a tour-de-force of lyrical, playful prose, Barton recalls the stifling humidity that first greeted her on the island along with the incessant hum of peculiar new noises. As Barton taught English to inquisitive middle school children, she studied the basics of Japanese in an inverse way, beginning with simple nouns and phrases, such as "cat," "dog," and "Hello, my name is." But when it came to surrounding herself in the culture, simply mastering the basics wasn't enough.Japanese, Barton learned, has three scripts: the phonetic katakana and hiragana (collectively known as kana) and kanji (characters of Chinese origin). Despite her months-long immersion in the language, a word would occasionally produce a sinking feeling and send her sifting through her dictionaries to find the exact meaning. But this is precisely how Barton has come to define language learning: "It is the always-bruised but ever-renewing desire to draw close: to a person, a territory, a culture, an idea, an indefinable feeling."Engaging and penetrating, Fifty Sounds chronicles everything from Barton's most hilarious misinterpretations to her new friends and lovers in Tokyo --and even the influence of Ludwig Wittgenstein's transformative philosophy. A classic in the making in the tradition of Anne Carson and Rachel Cusk, Fifty Sounds is a celebration of the empowering act of learning to communicate in any new language.
Grave Digger
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JigKraken
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Iron Butterfly
Audiobook enjoyment without the hassle β this app's design is a win. Savoring audiobooks without fuss β this app's design is impressive. The attention to detail is commendable. Artwork and metadata are sorted automatically. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Venom Charms
ListenBook's support for various audio formats makes it a versatile app for all kinds of audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook is a game-changer β it plays a wide variety of formats without any conversion needed. ListenBook's integration with AirDrop and sharing options makes it simple to spread the joy of storytelling.
FireBerry
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Little Granger
As a language learner, this app has been invaluable in improving my listening skills. ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for personal growth. The app's ability to handle various audio formats is impressive. No more file conversions! The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Red Heroine
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Low Menace
The ListenBook app is a must-have for anyone who loves to learn and be entertained through audiobooks. π₯ Adding a spark of excitement to my daily routine β this app is my secret weapon! β¨π Easy chapter access and smooth playback. Love this app! Solid performance, but not outstanding. The narrator did a fine job, though their tone was a bit monotonous at times. The story itself was engaging enough, but I wouldnβt call it unforgettable.
Stick Shift
With ListenBook, I've found a versatile and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. I can't believe how much I've 'read' since I started using this app. I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. AirDrop sharing is a very convenient feature. Thanks, ListenBook!
Night Magnet
ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. CUE playlist support is a fantastic organizational feature. It keeps my audiobooks neatly arranged. Downloading audiobooks over WiFi is super easy. Saves time.
Red Heroine
With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual exploration and personal growth. With this app, reading is no longer a task β it's a delightful habit. Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's diverse format support and easy downloads, my reading routine has reached new heights. ππ ListenBook's detailed statistics feature helps me keep track of my listening habits. It's amazing to see how much I've learned from all those audiobooks! With support for various audio formats, ListenBook ensures I can enjoy my favorite audiobooks without worries.
Crash Enforcer
Audiobooks have made my long drives enjoyable, and this app is my co-pilot. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features have become indispensable tools in my audiobook learning. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear and distraction-free listening. ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. Iβve tried many audiobook players, and this one is by far the best.
Scratch
ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a game-changer. I can now focus on the story even in noisy environments. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and visually appealing. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Pogue
ListenBook has completely changed my audiobook experience β it's like having a personal audio library. Adjustable playback speed and volume control make for a customized experience.
Prof. Screw
ListenBook's library organization and book groups help me keep my content neatly sorted. ListenBook's commitment to providing top-notch audio quality has taken my audiobook experience to a new level. ListenBook has brought the joy of audiobooks back into my life in a whole new way. Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. ππ
Indigo Red
I love how this app allows me to enjoy books even when I'm on the move. π± My pocket-sized library β this app makes reading accessible anytime, anywhere! ππ± Say goodbye to monotony β this app's diverse format compatibility and intuitive controls have turned every moment into a thrilling audiobook experience. π±π I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature.
Killer Grenade
ListenBook's library organization and book groups help me keep my content neatly sorted. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures I never miss out on any audio gem. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to bond over stories.
Swing Setter
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Gro
I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. Automatic artwork and metadata retrieval is a time-saver. My library looks fantastic.
MeeP
This app's compatibility with different formats has made my audiobook collection diverse and enjoyable. Audiobook multitasking made easy β this app's functionality is a marvel. ListenBook has all the features I need. My go-to audiobook app! Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience