Polyglot: Travelling in America

Author’s note: I interrupt myself here to give some practical advice to those preparing to go to America. On the train, in the hotel lounge, or at the breakfast table, those sitting next to you will ask you the same questions. First question: “Where are you from?” Second: “What do you do?” Third: “What do you drive?” When I was a novice traveler, I admitted that I usually took the bus. People were so astonished that I changed my answer. I now say, “I don’t think you know the make—it’s an Ikarus.” “Is it a big car?” they would ask. “Is it bigger than a Chevrolet?” “Much bigger!” I would reply with a quick flip of the wrist. [Ikarus is a Hungarian bus manufacturer.]

—Kató Lomb, Polyglot: How I Learn Languages [Download PDF]