The Race to "Getting to the Party": A Big-Picture USC
17 views
Skip to first unread message
Willem
Oct 5, 2010, 1:33:52 PM10/5/10
to Where are Your Keys?
Hey WAYK gang,
So, owing to our work with Latin, Evan and I finally decided to put
pen to paper and make a written USC road-map from zero to "Getting to
the Party". It's been an "oral document" (as anthropologists like to
say) up till now.
We've noticed that even good players seem to plateau after reaching
"want/have/give/take" in a language, possibly because of a lack of
clear direction on where to go next. We want you to feel that "wind in
your hair" feeling all the way up the scale. To this end, we're
sharing an initial USC that we hope you can apply to one of your
target languages, and keep momentum going. Ideally, once you get to
Intermediate-mid, the rest of the work in the language will be self-
evident, as you plow through Advanced and into Superior. If not, later
on we can come back to this and hit it again with a specific USC
through that territory.
This "big picture" USC has way less detail than the "want/have/give/
take" USC, and assumes you know how to play (and know the
techniques).
We'd love feedback on making it more accessible and clear. Please
comment and ask questions.
Here's a link to the pdf file:
http://whereareyourkeys.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/waykusczerotointermediate.pdf
Again
So, owing to our work with Latin, Evan and I finally decided to put
pen to paper and make a written USC road-map from zero to "Getting to
the Party". It's been an "oral document" (as anthropologists like to
say) up till now.
We've noticed that even good players seem to plateau after reaching
"want/have/give/take" in a language, possibly because of a lack of
clear direction on where to go next. We want you to feel that "wind in
your hair" feeling all the way up the scale. To this end, we're
sharing an initial USC that we hope you can apply to one of your
target languages, and keep momentum going. Ideally, once you get to
Intermediate-mid, the rest of the work in the language will be self-
evident, as you plow through Advanced and into Superior. If not, later
on we can come back to this and hit it again with a specific USC
through that territory.
This "big picture" USC has way less detail than the "want/have/give/
take" USC, and assumes you know how to play (and know the
techniques).
We'd love feedback on making it more accessible and clear. Please
comment and ask questions.
Here's a link to the pdf file:
http://whereareyourkeys.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/waykusczerotointermediate.pdf
Again
John Graham
Oct 5, 2010, 4:26:16 PM10/5/10
to wa...@googlegroups.com
Oh, fantastic. I got demoralised with my play a while ago (having 'fulled' many of those around me with my initial WAYK obsession)!
Without access to a workshop, and without a comedy duo partner, after racing to Want/Have/Give/Take it became pretty clear I didn't know what I was doing and I overstretched everyone's capacity to find all of this fascinating, including eventually mine.
Seeing a bigger picture laid out like this makes me itch to want to get back on the horse, with more awareness of some of the other factors that got everyone burnt out last time...
Start over, start at the beginning!
Thanks!
John
Without access to a workshop, and without a comedy duo partner, after racing to Want/Have/Give/Take it became pretty clear I didn't know what I was doing and I overstretched everyone's capacity to find all of this fascinating, including eventually mine.
Seeing a bigger picture laid out like this makes me itch to want to get back on the horse, with more awareness of some of the other factors that got everyone burnt out last time...
Start over, start at the beginning!
Thanks!
John
--
::: You are subscribed to the "Where are Your Keys?" Google Group. http://groups.google.com/group/wayk
:: To unsubscribe from this group, send email to wayk+uns...@googlegroups.com
:: Also, see http://www.whereareyourkeys.org/
Willem
Oct 5, 2010, 6:19:01 PM10/5/10
to Where are Your Keys?
Glad to hear it John. This is exactly why we made this; to keep
experienced (even if self-taught!) WAYK players playing. Any insight
into improving it, please shout it out. Do you have enough info to
keep playing now? Do you feel you understand how this would get you to
the complex language of Intermediate-mid, "getting to the party?".
yrs,
Willem
On Oct 5, 1:26 pm, John Graham <jomg...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Oh, fantastic. I got demoralised with my play a while ago (having 'fulled'
> many of those around me with my initial WAYK obsession)!
> Without access to a workshop, and without a comedy duo partner, after racing
> to Want/Have/Give/Take it became pretty clear I didn't know what I was doing
> and I overstretched everyone's capacity to find all of this fascinating,
> including eventually mine.
>
> Seeing a bigger picture laid out like this makes me itch to want to get back
> on the horse, with more awareness of some of the other factors that got
> everyone burnt out last time...
>
> Start over, start at the beginning!
> Thanks!
> John
>
> > :: Also, seehttp://www.whereareyourkeys.org/
experienced (even if self-taught!) WAYK players playing. Any insight
into improving it, please shout it out. Do you have enough info to
keep playing now? Do you feel you understand how this would get you to
the complex language of Intermediate-mid, "getting to the party?".
yrs,
Willem
On Oct 5, 1:26 pm, John Graham <jomg...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Oh, fantastic. I got demoralised with my play a while ago (having 'fulled'
> many of those around me with my initial WAYK obsession)!
> Without access to a workshop, and without a comedy duo partner, after racing
> to Want/Have/Give/Take it became pretty clear I didn't know what I was doing
> and I overstretched everyone's capacity to find all of this fascinating,
> including eventually mine.
>
> Seeing a bigger picture laid out like this makes me itch to want to get back
> on the horse, with more awareness of some of the other factors that got
> everyone burnt out last time...
>
> Start over, start at the beginning!
> Thanks!
> John
>
> On 6 October 2010 06:33, Willem <mythic.cartograp...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Hey WAYK gang,
>
> > So, owing to our work with Latin, Evan and I finally decided to put
> > pen to paper and make a written USC road-map from zero to "Getting to
> > the Party". It's been an "oral document" (as anthropologists like to
> > say) up till now.
>
> > We've noticed that even good players seem to plateau after reaching
> > "want/have/give/take" in a language, possibly because of a lack of
> > clear direction on where to go next. We want you to feel that "wind in
> > your hair" feeling all the way up the scale. To this end, we're
> > sharing an initial USC that we hope you can apply to one of your
> > target languages, and keep momentum going. Ideally, once you get to
> > Intermediate-mid, the rest of the work in the language will be self-
> > evident, as you plow through Advanced and into Superior. If not, later
> > on we can come back to this and hit it again with a specific USC
> > through that territory.
>
> > This "big picture" USC has way less detail than the "want/have/give/
> > take" USC, and assumes you know how to play (and know the
> > techniques).
>
> > We'd love feedback on making it more accessible and clear. Please
> > comment and ask questions.
>
> > Here's a link to the pdf file:
>
> >http://whereareyourkeys.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/waykusczerotointe...
>
> > Hey WAYK gang,
>
> > So, owing to our work with Latin, Evan and I finally decided to put
> > pen to paper and make a written USC road-map from zero to "Getting to
> > the Party". It's been an "oral document" (as anthropologists like to
> > say) up till now.
>
> > We've noticed that even good players seem to plateau after reaching
> > "want/have/give/take" in a language, possibly because of a lack of
> > clear direction on where to go next. We want you to feel that "wind in
> > your hair" feeling all the way up the scale. To this end, we're
> > sharing an initial USC that we hope you can apply to one of your
> > target languages, and keep momentum going. Ideally, once you get to
> > Intermediate-mid, the rest of the work in the language will be self-
> > evident, as you plow through Advanced and into Superior. If not, later
> > on we can come back to this and hit it again with a specific USC
> > through that territory.
>
> > This "big picture" USC has way less detail than the "want/have/give/
> > take" USC, and assumes you know how to play (and know the
> > techniques).
>
> > We'd love feedback on making it more accessible and clear. Please
> > comment and ask questions.
>
> > Here's a link to the pdf file:
>
>
> > Again
>
> > --
> > ::: You are subscribed to the "Where are Your Keys?" Google Group.
> >http://groups.google.com/group/wayk
> > :: To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> > wayk+uns...@googlegroups.com <wayk%2Bunsu...@googlegroups.com>
> > Again
>
> > --
> > ::: You are subscribed to the "Where are Your Keys?" Google Group.
> >http://groups.google.com/group/wayk
> > :: To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> > :: Also, seehttp://www.whereareyourkeys.org/
Willem
Oct 6, 2010, 4:40:47 PM10/6/10
to Where are Your Keys?
I'm not seeing any comments or questions yet, but I've spruced up the
USC with some sample dialogues for each section. Hope this helps.
http://whereareyourkeys.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/waykusczerotointermediate1.pdf
USC with some sample dialogues for each section. Hope this helps.
http://whereareyourkeys.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/waykusczerotointermediate1.pdf
Jay Bazuzi
Oct 8, 2010, 2:27:49 AM10/8/10
to wa...@googlegroups.com
I'm not familiar with Technique: "Play it Again, Sam". I'm guessing it means "repeat as above, but with this new bit of language added in".
The "WHERE" section has two conversations that look identical. Am I missing something, or is it an error?
-J
:: Also, see http://www.whereareyourkeys.org/
Willem
Oct 8, 2010, 11:29:40 AM10/8/10
to Where are Your Keys?
Try this newest version: http://whereareyourkeys.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/waykusczerotointermediate2.pdf
TQ Play it Again Sam does mean exactly that. :)
On Oct 7, 11:27 pm, Jay Bazuzi <j...@bazuzi.com> wrote:
> I'm not familiar with Technique: "Play it Again, Sam". I'm guessing it means
> "repeat as above, but with this new bit of language added in".
>
> The "WHERE" section has two conversations that look identical. Am I missing
> something, or is it an error?
>
> -J
>
> > wayk%2Bunsu...@googlegroups.com<wayk%252Buns...@googlegroups.com>
> > :: Also, seehttp://www.whereareyourkeys.org/
TQ Play it Again Sam does mean exactly that. :)
On Oct 7, 11:27 pm, Jay Bazuzi <j...@bazuzi.com> wrote:
> I'm not familiar with Technique: "Play it Again, Sam". I'm guessing it means
> "repeat as above, but with this new bit of language added in".
>
> The "WHERE" section has two conversations that look identical. Am I missing
> something, or is it an error?
>
> -J
>
> On Wed, Oct 6, 2010 at 1:40 PM, Willem <mythic.cartograp...@gmail.com>wrote:
>
> > I'm not seeing any comments or questions yet, but I've spruced up the
> > USC with some sample dialogues for each section. Hope this helps.
>
> >http://whereareyourkeys.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/waykusczerotointe...
>
> > I'm not seeing any comments or questions yet, but I've spruced up the
> > USC with some sample dialogues for each section. Hope this helps.
>
>
> > > > > :: Also, seehttp://www.whereareyourkeys.org/
>
> > --
> > ::: You are subscribed to the "Where are Your Keys?" Google Group.
> >http://groups.google.com/group/wayk
> > :: To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> > wayk+uns...@googlegroups.com <wayk%2Bunsu...@googlegroups.com>
> > > > > :: Also, seehttp://www.whereareyourkeys.org/
>
> > --
> > ::: You are subscribed to the "Where are Your Keys?" Google Group.
> >http://groups.google.com/group/wayk
> > :: To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> > :: Also, seehttp://www.whereareyourkeys.org/
Jay Bazuzi
Oct 8, 2010, 2:58:20 PM10/8/10
to wa...@googlegroups.com
This document is now officially really awesome. I liked this conversation the best:
“I want you to steal his pen?”
“How do I steal his pen?”
“First you ask him to look behind himself, then you quickly take his pen.”
“If I did that I would feel bad.”
-J
:: Also, see http://www.whereareyourkeys.org/
Willem
Oct 8, 2010, 3:49:23 PM10/8/10
to Where are Your Keys?
Haha. Yes, it's pretty funny. :) Generally speaking, any tidbits on
why exactly it's awesome? Any other insights that would make it more
helpful to more players?
On Oct 8, 11:58 am, Jay Bazuzi <j...@bazuzi.com> wrote:
> This document is now officially really awesome. I liked this conversation
> the best:
>
> “I want you to steal his pen?”
> “How do I steal his pen?”
> “First you ask him to look behind himself, then you quickly take his pen.”
> “If I did that I would feel bad.”
>
> -J
>
> > > > wayk%2Bunsu...@googlegroups.com<wayk%252Buns...@googlegroups.com>
> > <wayk%252Buns...@googlegroups.com<wayk%25252Bun...@googlegroups.com>
why exactly it's awesome? Any other insights that would make it more
helpful to more players?
On Oct 8, 11:58 am, Jay Bazuzi <j...@bazuzi.com> wrote:
> This document is now officially really awesome. I liked this conversation
> the best:
>
> “I want you to steal his pen?”
> “How do I steal his pen?”
> “First you ask him to look behind himself, then you quickly take his pen.”
> “If I did that I would feel bad.”
>
> -J
>
> On Fri, Oct 8, 2010 at 8:29 AM, Willem <mythic.cartograp...@gmail.com>wrote:
>
> > Try this newest version:
> >http://whereareyourkeys.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/waykusczerotointe...
>
> > Try this newest version:
> > <wayk%252Buns...@googlegroups.com<wayk%25252Bun...@googlegroups.com>
.alyn.post.
Oct 8, 2010, 3:53:40 PM10/8/10
to wa...@googlegroups.com
My take:
It teases apart an activity that seems sort of atomic. Like you
couldn't possibly explore anything besides "I just stole your pen
hahaha."
So by opening a window into how rich the conversation can be, you
invite further exploration of the same space.
Asking "How do I steal his pen?" is the sort of question one doesn't
even know you *can* ask.
-Alan
> :: Also, see http://www.whereareyourkeys.org/
--
.i ko djuno fi le do sevzi
Willem
Oct 8, 2010, 4:19:51 PM10/8/10
to Where are Your Keys?
Alan,
Oh, that's interesting. I did mean that question more generally, like
what about the document in general makes it more "awesome", but it's
true: every time we tease apart the road map it seems to accelerate
things.
-Willem
On Oct 8, 12:53 pm, ".alyn.post." <alyn.p...@lodockikumazvati.org>
wrote:
> > ::: You are subscribed to the "Where are Your Keys?" Google Group.http://groups.google.com/group/wayk
Oh, that's interesting. I did mean that question more generally, like
what about the document in general makes it more "awesome", but it's
true: every time we tease apart the road map it seems to accelerate
things.
-Willem
On Oct 8, 12:53 pm, ".alyn.post." <alyn.p...@lodockikumazvati.org>
wrote:
> > :: To unsubscribe from this group, send email to wayk+uns...@googlegroups.com
> > :: Also, seehttp://www.whereareyourkeys.org/
Jay Bazuzi
Oct 8, 2010, 4:40:17 PM10/8/10
to wa...@googlegroups.com
With v0 and v1 the next steps seemed vague, and now I feel more confident that I know what to do next.
I liked the addition of examples; that helped me. (Don't make too many, though - a long example conversation would bog things down.)
I spent a couple hours on Wednesday having a "get to the party"-type conversation in sign. So now I'm looking at this document and asking myself: "what of this did I get; what am I missing?"
For example, I now have my days of the week, but not the Always/Often/Never Craig's List.
I have some food and drink signs, but almost no clothes. Some family & friends but I'm missing some.
Etc.
-J
:: Also, see http://www.whereareyourkeys.org/
Willem
Oct 8, 2010, 4:46:27 PM10/8/10
to Where are Your Keys?
Jay,
> With v0 and v1 the next steps seemed vague, and now I feel more confident
> that I know what to do next.
Great.
>
> I liked the addition of examples; that helped me. (Don't make too many,
> though - a long example conversation would bog things down.)
I agree. In some ways, I already worry the document is too long, but
this is as short as we can make it and still be understandable.
>
> I spent a couple hours on Wednesday having a "get to the party"-type
> conversation in sign. So now I'm looking at this document and asking myself:
> "what of this did I get; what am I missing?"
Right!
>
> For example, I now have my days of the week, but not the Always/Often/Never
> Craig's List.
>
> I have some food and drink signs, but almost no clothes. Some family &
> friends but I'm missing some.
I've tentatively put up the Party Topics section, because we often use
"Getting to the Party" as a concrete example. However, the structural
words such as the CL: How Often? and the like are way more important
than nouns and verbs for clothing, food, etc. You can always easily
set up a conversation to absorb new nouns/verbs for a particular
topic; getting "always/never/sometimes" is a lot more abstract, and
more fundamental to any conversation.
This is one of the things I suspect could be improved in this document
- the connection between language structure, and and a player's
particular limited topic(s).
yrs,
Willem
> With v0 and v1 the next steps seemed vague, and now I feel more confident
> that I know what to do next.
>
> I liked the addition of examples; that helped me. (Don't make too many,
> though - a long example conversation would bog things down.)
this is as short as we can make it and still be understandable.
>
> I spent a couple hours on Wednesday having a "get to the party"-type
> conversation in sign. So now I'm looking at this document and asking myself:
> "what of this did I get; what am I missing?"
>
> For example, I now have my days of the week, but not the Always/Often/Never
> Craig's List.
>
> I have some food and drink signs, but almost no clothes. Some family &
> friends but I'm missing some.
"Getting to the Party" as a concrete example. However, the structural
words such as the CL: How Often? and the like are way more important
than nouns and verbs for clothing, food, etc. You can always easily
set up a conversation to absorb new nouns/verbs for a particular
topic; getting "always/never/sometimes" is a lot more abstract, and
more fundamental to any conversation.
This is one of the things I suspect could be improved in this document
- the connection between language structure, and and a player's
particular limited topic(s).
yrs,
Willem
Willem
Oct 9, 2010, 7:28:10 PM10/9/10
to Where are Your Keys?
Newer version with a couple typos corrected.
http://whereareyourkeys.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/waykusczerotointermediate3.pdf
http://whereareyourkeys.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/waykusczerotointermediate3.pdf
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages