firespeaker.org

Jonathan: "I mean, in Kazakhstan a cellphone is like a toothbrush, but in America, it's more like a bicycle."

Michael: "I donno, I knew some people in Kazakhstan who didn't brush their teeth, but you can bet they had a phone."

One note on Imart's grammar: when I said it was hard to use in class today, I meant it--there are no page numbers, but instead about 3500 bullet points, and the index is too short to have anything useful in it.  But at the same time, it is very thorough on a lot of critical issues, and by far the best existing reference on the language.  I wish I'd had access to it as I was learning the language, though I guess using my "teachers" as elicitation subjects to figure out some of this stuff developed useful skills.  And no doubt built character and grew hair on my chest.  Just like trying to find something again that you read in Imart's grammar if you didn't bookmark it.

"Have at least one other obsession than linguistics."

"You have to like what you do. There's really no other reason to study linguistics."

"But Vanya from the provinces is just as clueless about that sort of stuff as Timurbek."

"I'm thinking of getting a new game console. Basically the reason being that I don't have a girlfriend. Not that I think it'll help me get one..."

"It's my wedding, but I didn't plan it. I'll show up at the appointed place and time and say the appointed things. I'm told there will be food."