I bought the Living Language: Learning Dothraki book and I'm hoping that once I finish my "Khaleesi Drogo" cosplay I'll be able to speak enough Dothraki to pull off the character. Do you go to conventions frequently in the Midwest? Do you hold panels or attend college events open to the public often? I'm having a hard time rolling my r's in "chare" "khogar" "rai" "jerriya"
Not frequently in the Midwest, but I was in Kirksville, Missouri last year at Truman State University, and one of the talks I gave was indeed open to the public. I may be going to WorldCon next year in Kansas City, but I haven’t decided yet. Oh, also I was in Chicago last week for Chicago Ideas Week, and the talk I gave there was open to the public. Does that count as the Midwest? I’ll be in Cleveland too in a couple weeks, but that’s probably too far east…
I’ve had a lot of success teaching other people to pronounce difficult sounds, but I have never successfully taught someone to roll their r’s. I don’t know what it is. I feel like I can’t describe it adequately. It just happens, and even though I know what’s happening, that information doesn’t seem to be helpful when it comes to reproducing it…
I will say this, though. You know the song “Give It Away” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers? Anthony Kiedis, the lead singer, pronounces a trill in the chorus when he’s saying “give it away”. He actually trills the “t”. If you can sing that chorus like he does, you’ll be doing it. I don’t know if that will help, but, I mean, it’s there. It’s English, and it’s not normal speech, since it’s a song, but it is definitely there. Start slow, and just keep speeding it up until you’re doing it as fast as you can.
