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What if the traditional methods of language learning are holding us back from true fluency? Join me, Sigrist the Linguist, as I challenge conventional wisdom and share my transformative journey from laborious grammar drills to immersive experiences that make language come to life. From my escapades in ancient languages like Latin and Attic Greek to a deeply immersive experience in Mexico, we explore how cognitive linguistics and genuine communication can unlock the secrets of language learning. This episode is a call to move beyond rote memorization and embrace a world where language is internalized naturally through meaningful use and interaction with the benefits of digital media and new technologies.

We'll scratch the surface of some of the "cognitive linguistic " underpinnings of language acquisition, which reveal how our minds and bodies shape our understanding and expression of language. We'll discuss how physical, "embodied" experiences and conceptual metaphors inform our linguistic constructs, with examples like the use of vertical space for emotions and the influence of the base 10 counting system.

Educators and learners alike will gain practical strategies for integrating these insights into their language practice, enhancing engagement and effectiveness.

Stay tuned as we also tease the upcoming exploration of cognitive processes in language with our next segment of "How Language Means." Subscribe now for a fresh perspective on language fluency and a treasure trove of immersive experiences from Immersio.

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Welcome to the very first episode of Colloquia!

In this opening conversation, David Sigrist the Linguist from Immersio, explores one of the most fundamental questions: What’s the purpose of language? Language is so deeply woven into our daily lives that we rarely stop to notice its power—until we’re asked to imagine life without it.

Through a thought experiment, David invites listeners to reflect on how language shapes everything we do, from morning routines to complex conversations and even the simple act of following a recipe. He breaks down the “magic” of language—how it transforms ideas, experiences, and feelings into structured sounds, symbols, and words that others can perceive and understand. But what happens when someone doesn’t know the system? What once held meaning becomes nothing more than squiggles, dots, or noise.

In this episode, we set the stage for Colloquia, a podcast dedicated to exploring the fascinating ways that language works, connects us, and gives meaning to our world.

Join us as we embark on conversations about language, its role in society, and how we can use it to share ideas and create understanding across cultures.

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