One time in high school, I dissociated so hard that I temporarily couldn’t understand spoken English. Tbf, I did it intentionally just to see if I could (as nerds do when they’re bored in gym class.) It was very interesting. English sounded like a softer German with French pronunciations, which tracks. I thought it sounded pleasant. I still want to know what non-Native English speakers think, but it was fun to listen to English “from the outside” for a few minutes.
If you're curious,
I was on the loud, busy bleachers with many other people. I decided to concentrate on the sounds I heard, and only on the sounds, without attempting to understand anything that was said. At some point it’s like my comprehension disengaged and I was in a sea of meaningless chatter. It should be noted that I am neurodivergent, so perhaps it was easier for me to concentrate on pure sensory information? Who knows. I sure don’t.
If anybody else has had this experience, I’m curious what it was like for you, too.
One time in high school, I dissociated so hard that I temporarily couldn’t understand spoken English. Tbf, I did it intentionally just to see if I could (as nerds do when they’re bored in gym class.) It was very interesting. English sounded like a softer German with French pronunciations, which tracks. I thought it sounded pleasant. I still want to know what non-Native English speakers think, but it was fun to listen to English “from the outside” for a few minutes.
If you're curious,
I was on the loud, busy bleachers with many other people. I decided to concentrate on the sounds I heard, and only on the sounds, without attempting to understand anything that was said. At some point it’s like my comprehension disengaged and I was in a sea of meaningless chatter. It should be noted that I am neurodivergent, so perhaps it was easier for me to concentrate on pure sensory information? Who knows. I sure don’t.
If anybody else has had this experience, I’m curious what it was like for you, too.