Audiobook Fifty Sounds: A Memoir of Language, Learning, and Longing by Polly Barton in the ListenBook app
Want to listen to the audiobook Fifty Sounds: A Memoir of Language, Learning, and Longing written by Polly Barton
ListenBook is here to help!
In ListenBook you can listen Fifty Sounds: A Memoir of Language, Learning, and Longing and any other audiobooks you download from the internet.
ListenBook is the easiest and most convenient app for listening to audiobooks
in MP3, MP4, OPUS, OGG, FLAC, AWB, M4B, M4A, WMA, AAC formats
on your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad!
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.
As an audiobook aficionado, this app is a dream come true. Its support for various formats and effortless navigation make it my perfect reading companion. 🌟🎧 ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like having a library on my phone! The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
The extensive audiobook collection for children is a blessing for my little ones. The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration – it's like flipping through pages. With this app, every moment becomes an opportunity to indulge in fantastic stories. The controls, layout, and seamless playback are a reader's dream. 📚🎧 ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to spread the joy of captivating stories with friends.
This app has transformed my daily routine into moments of literary delight. 📱 A world of books at my fingertips – this app's user-friendly design makes it a true reading companion. 📚📱 Audiobooks anytime, anywhere – this app's functionality is a reader's delight. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features have become indispensable tools in my audiobook learning. I'm impressed by the app's performance – it's stable, fast, and tailored for audiobook enthusiasts.
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its impeccable audio quality and user-friendly features.
ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening sessions into immersive experiences. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is truly impressive. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
🚗📚 Turn traffic into a literary escape – this app's functionality keeps me engaged while I'm on the move. 🚗🎧 AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks. Great feature!
I'm grateful for this app, as it allows me to keep up with my reading even while multitasking. ListenBook's sleek layout and quick chapter access have made my audiobook journey incredibly enjoyable.
With ListenBook, I've found a versatile and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. I can't believe how quickly I finish books now, all thanks to this app.
I can't imagine my audio routine without ListenBook's seamless and user-friendly design. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is a technological marvel.
The extensive audiobook collection for children is a blessing for my little ones. With this app, I've discovered the joy of learning while I'm on the move – it's like having a tutor by my side. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to spread the joy. Listening stats motivate me to read more. Great feature!
💪 Doubling the impact of my workouts – exercising and exploring stories, all thanks to this app! 💪🎧 Audiobook enthusiasts, gather around! This app's exceptional features, from audio filters to robust support, have transformed my daily routines into storytelling moments. 🎉🎧 My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thanks to automatic artwork and metadata. Quick access to chapters and controls ensures a seamless listening experience with ListenBook. It's effortless to use. Binaural audio reduces listening fatigue. Such a great feature!
Audiobooks have turned my quiet moments into imaginative journeys – thank you, app! 🛌 Drifting into dreamland with enchanting audiobooks – bedtime has become a gateway to imagination. 🌙📚 Unlocking a world of literary wonders – this app's extensive format support and user-centric approach have rekindled my love for books. 📱🔊 The audio quality is excellent, and the interface is intuitive. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. I love the ability to customize the skip buttons. It’s so convenient.
is a time-saver. It's convenient for accessing my content. Perfect for studying with its playback controls and audio filters. Excellent app! The app is super intuitive. I was up and running in minutes.
This app's convenience has turned my exercise sessions into enlightening moments. I'm hooked on this app's ease of use – it's a reader's dream come true. 🌟 Reading has never been this easy – this app fits right into my fast-paced lifestyle. 📚💫 Audiobook excellence – this app's design enhances my reading experience. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats ensures that I can enjoy a wide range of content hassle-free. From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing various audio formats has turned my daily activities into enriching listening sessions. What a game-changer! 🌟📚 The interface is sleek and modern. It’s a joy to use.
I've been able to explore different cultures and perspectives through a diverse range of books. ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it the perfect companion for any audiobook lover. I'm impressed by the app's compatibility with CarPlay. It keeps me entertained on long drives.
This app is my travel companion – making long journeys enjoyable and insightful. I can't believe I waited this long to discover the joy of audiobooks through this app. The narrator was good but spoke a bit too slowly for my taste. I had to speed it up to 1.2x which then made some parts sound slightly unnatural.
With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines – it's a game-changer. Audiobook multitasking made simple – this app's functionality is a true delight. The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook consumption habits. ListenBook has transformed my daily routine into an opportunity to learn, relax, and enjoy. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my recordings sound clearer than ever.
ListenBook's attention to detail in design and functionality sets it apart from other audiobook apps. ListenBook is a game-changer for audiobook lovers. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app! A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make every listening session a pleasure. 🚶♂️🌟 Strolling through stories on a lazy afternoon – this app is my relaxation buddy! 🏖️🎧 Kudos to ListenBook for the intuitive design and easy-to-use controls. It's evident that they've put a lot of thought into user experience.
Trusted by over 100,000 users across the globe
What is ListenBook?
Why ListenBook?
How does it work?
1
Download audiobooks from any site in any of the supported formats.
2
Add audiobooks to the app using any of the many download methods available.
3
Listen to audiobooks by controlling playback from your phone, headphones, Apple Watch or CarPlay.
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
App for those who love audiobooks
ListenBook has the features you need no matter what you are listening to
Listening to fiction
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
Listening to audio lectures
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
Every day, thousands of people download ListenBook to listen to audiobooks.
Now it's your turn to listen to audiobooks without distraction!
