October 3, 2007

Speaking in Tongues

Lingolook Language Flashcards

First trip to Tokyo. Can’t wait. Cram Berlitz on flight over. Arrive at hotel and tell concierge, “Everything is kowai! Kusai onara!”

Nice. You meant kawaii (cute) and sayoonara (goodbye), but instead said everything was scary and a stinky fart.

Next time, do your bit for international relations with some help from Lingolook, new language flash cards that make getting by in a foreign tongue a little easier.

The lightweight cards cover more than 75 essential words and phrases and fan out for easy access. Topics are color coded and include essentials (Do you speak English? How much?), lodging, food and drink, travel (subway, directions), help (doctor, embassy, police), shopping, and services (bank, pharmacy). Each page lists one main word and three related words.

So as you wander Harajuku, you can use the pronunciation key (and point to an image for backup). “Koohii” gets you coffee and “satoo” some sugar, which will hopefully be “oishii” (delicious).

French, Chinese, and Japanese editions are available so far, as are downloadable, sound-enhanced versions for PDA or iPhone.

Doitashimashite!

Available online at lingolook.net or amazon.com.