[EuroPython] Language Advice for Speakers?

[kirby urner]

Hi Jack --

Having attended EuroPython last year as a USA "English" speaker, I'd
have to say Euros are quite good at English, used as a compromise, but
that native speakers have this nasty habit of speaking as quickly as
possible, especially during lightning talks, which is disrespectful
and/or insensitive and/or unskillful.

I think geeks in general like to rattle off at high speed, part of how
they built a reputation as geeks, a lot of 'em, i.e. "fast talk" is a
tool of the trade, but in an international conference I'd say the
number one rule of thumb would be to *slow down* -- especially if
you're from the UK as I have a hard time understanding those heavy
accents :-D

As a former resident of Manatee County, FL, I confess not
understanding your "Oh the huge Manatee" allusion, though I bet Google
would help me out there, if it's a joke others know.

Also, I wouldn't say "ESL" as that implies "second" whereas POV's
Aistė Kesminaitė, a Lithuanian, speaks fluent Polish, German, French
and I forget what else besides English, no idea in what order she
learned them.

It's mainly Americans who are mono-lingual, and so come across as
semi-retarded in Europe, but we compensate in other ways, such as by
being extra loud. ;-D

Here're some blog posts re Vilnius from last year, if you want some
tourism ideas (I recommend the TV tower, which I walked to, but don't
expect to take pictures (no photos allowed from the rotating beer
joint)):

http://mybizmo.blogspot.com/2007/07/europython-hqs.html
http://worldgame.blogspot.com/2007/07/glass-ship.html
http://worldgame.blogspot.com/2007/07/vilnius.html
http://controlroom.blogspot.com/2007/07/sunday-in-vilnius.html
http://worldgame.blogspot.com/2007/07/slow-food-nation.html

You'll note in that last post how I went into culture shock, not
having been outside the US for awhile:  one forgets how we take
obesity for granted in the USA.  I gave up beer for a whole year as a
result, not wanting to be as fat as that guy in the picture (me).

Kirby Urner
Portland, Oregon



On Sat, Jun 28, 2008 at 10:55 AM, Jack diederich <jackdied at gmail.com> wrote:
> Does anyone have good links or tips for language?  The rule for
> speakers in general, even when presenting to native speakers, is to
> keep it simple.  How much further should I take "keep it simple" for
> the EuroPython audience?
>
> The US PyCon has many English as a second language (ESL) speakers but
> they are all very fluent. It is a self-selecting group that goes to
> the US, after all.  How much of that can I assume for EuroPython?
>
> Maybe a concrete example would help.  In my PyCon talk a couple years
> ago the biggest laugh-line was a slide titled "Oh The Huge Manatee."
> I'm guessing that is out of bounds.
>
> -Jack
>
> PS, I've listened to 20 hours of "Teach yourself Lithuanian" CDs.  Not
> too bad (because it is latinate), and much easier than my last attempt
> (Icelandic).
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