thick reference books with paper thin pages and minuscule font
collecting idiomatic phrases from other languages, finding meanings that can’t be conveyed precisely in your mother tongue
seeing language like a puzzle waiting to be solved
a love for the complex power of words
fighting to preserve dying languages
studying the essence of communication
a shelf stacked with pocket dictionaries, useful phrases marked by sticky notes
interest in the related fields of history, anthropology, and psychology
learning the international phonetic alphabet
a deep belief in the importance of human language
repeating unfamiliar phonemes until the sounds start to make sense in your mouth
wishing you could learn any language instantly
appreciating the importance of context and nonverbal communication
neat syntax diagrams in your notes
researching how your language has developed over time
deciphering archaic dialects
debates over what, exactly, constitutes language at its core
crowded sidewalks and the buzz of words you don’t understand
a fascination with language families and their similarities
hearing the difference between bilabial and labial fricatives, or aspirated and unaspirated consonants
a willingness to try new things
knowing that the way we use language is in a constant state of flux
