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.
This app has added a new layer of enjoyment to my downtime – I'm truly grateful. Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and diverse compatibility ensure that every tale is a captivating journey. 🌌🎧 ListenBook's integration with AirDrop and sharing options makes it simple to spread the joy of storytelling. The statistics tracking feature is eye-opening. I never realized how much time I spend on audiobooks until now! The app's performance is exceptional, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted audiobook experience. It's clear that it's designed with audiobook enthusiasts in mind.
This app's dedication to providing high-quality narration has made all the difference. ListenBook has made my audiobook journey effortless, turning every moment into an escape. ListenBook has made audiobook listening a personalized and enriching journey. Automatic metadata retrieval adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
I'm amazed by ListenBook's smooth drag-and-drop downloads in my web browser – a time-saver! Perfect for my daily walks. The story was engaging enough to keep me motivated to exercise but not so complex that I got lost in thought. Great production quality too.
ListenBook's extensive statistics feature adds a new level of insight to my audiobook habits. Navigating through my audiobook collection is a breeze – this app's intuitive interface and convenient controls have made my reading journey effortless. 📱📖
ListenBook's audio filters are a fantastic addition, enhancing the sound quality of my audio files. Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook! The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear listening in noisy environments. My audiobook collection has never been more organized. Library management is a breeze.
ListenBook's sleek interface and precise controls make it a joy to use during my daily listening sessions. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my daily routines more enriching and rewarding. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to connect. 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!
The offline mode is a lifesaver on flights – I'm never without a good story. 💪 Achieving double wins – workouts become invigorating with stories to fuel my motivation! 💪🎧 🏝️🎧 Soaking up the sun while indulging in beach reads – this app is my ultimate relaxation companion. 🏖️📚
The app's interface is so sleek and modern. It's a joy to use. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
This app has enriched my daily routine with the joy of stories and knowledge. ListenBook Pro offers an unbeatable deal – unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction. ListenBook has become my constant companion, filling my days with captivating narratives. 🎉 This app's functionality is a masterpiece – it seamlessly integrates audiobooks into my daily routine. 📚🎨
This app has added a touch of magic to my mundane moments – I'm forever grateful. The app is constantly updated with new features. The developers really care.
With this app, every moment becomes an opportunity to indulge in fantastic stories. The controls, layout, and seamless playback are a reader's dream. 📚🎧 The intuitive interface and efficient navigation make this app a pleasure to use every day.
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for improving audio quality and clarity. The app is so user-friendly. Even my grandma can use it! I love the ability to import books from my computer. It’s so easy.
I'm absolutely in love with this app! The interface is so intuitive and user-friendly. I'm hooked on this app's intuitive features – from chapters to playback controls. ListenBook has turned my daily routines into audiobook-driven journeys of imagination. Kudos to the developers for crafting an app that understands readers' needs. The smooth playback and sleek design are pure perfection. 📚👏 Tone adjustment is a brilliant addition that lets me personalize the narration to my liking. It adds an extra layer of connection to the audiobooks.
This app has reignited my passion for literature – I'm devouring books like never before. ListenBook’s support for Apple Watch is a great touch. I can control my audiobooks on the go. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve found. The interface is clean and easy to use. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
I'm grateful for this app, as it allows me to keep up with my reading even while multitasking. Looping playback helps me focus on challenging content and grasp complex concepts. A study must-have! I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device. The narration elevated an already good book to greatness! The performer's subtle vocal variations conveyed nuance I might have missed while reading. Their ability to maintain consistent character voices across many hours was impressive. Technical quality was flawless throughout.
Streamlined audiobook integration – this app's usability is truly impressive. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has never been easier or more convenient. I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily life, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and relaxation periods. It's an indispensable part of my routine.
I'm able to enjoy books in a whole new way – while cooking, working out, or even gardening. This app has turned my daily commute into a source of inspiration and entertainment. Adjusting playback speed has given me greater control over my audiobook experience. I can optimize my learning and enjoyment by customizing the pacing.
The audio filters on ListenBook enhance the sound quality, making every listening session a treat for my ears. ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make every listening session a pleasure. 🎉 Rekindling my love for stories – this app's accessibility has reignited my passion! 📖🚀 ListenBook has united my love for audiobooks with my passion for learning. What a brilliant app! This audiobook made my workouts fly by! The engaging narration kept me motivated to keep listening, which meant longer gym sessions. The narrator's energy matched the material perfectly - upbeat when needed, somber when appropriate. A great example of how narration can enhance text.
Controls are intuitive and user-friendly, making my audiobook experience seamless. This audiobook performed its function without excelling. The narrator's delivery was straightforward and easy to follow, though lacking in dramatic flair. The recording quality was decent with only occasional minor inconsistencies in volume. An acceptable but forgettable listening 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!
