Tips for Autodidacts and Gamers With Jobs

By Ta-Nehisi Coates

I don't know if there's anyone else out there whose on the same path as me in terms of learning a language. But if you are on that path, and if you enjoy video games, I'd encourage you to try playing them in a different language. Against my better judgement, I use Steam to purchase most of my games these days. One feature I love is how you can change languages for Steam, and thus all the games that support your language.

Alors maintenant je joue mes jeux videos en français, toujours.

Last night I booted up Mass Effect, and I only have sliver of an idea of what's going on. Enough to know that Nihlus is awesome--"Je travaille seul." I feel like if I can't get to France just yet, I'll lifehack my way as far into the Atlantic as possible. The effect of changing languages differs with each genre and each game. The language barrier doesn't mean much in strategy. But it means a lot in RPGs.

For me, the feeling of being lost is one of the best things about learning a new language. As someone told me on twitter this weekend--you are left with toddler ears. And that's just it. This is really the only time you get to be a kid again.

This article available online at:

http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/01/tips-for-autodidacts-and-gamers-with-jobs/267159/