Parallel 2 is a FREE program for parallel reading and listening in two languages. It was written specially for learning Lojban, enabling users to achieve more practical knowledge of the language.
The main idea of the program comes from the approach of implicit learning of foreign languages. Parallel 2 works with modules, i.e. text files in special format containing associated sentences in two languages with links to sound files recorded for each sentence. After opening a module, the user sees the first pair of sentences on the screen, for example:
I learn Lojban using "Parallel".
mi cilre fi la lojban. fu la PAralel.
If the user then presses SPACE, he/she will hear a voice reading that Lojban sentence aloud. After becoming familiar with this sentence, the user goes to the next sentence pair by pressing PAGEDOWN or scrolling mousewheel, repeating the process until the end of the module.
The user may also choose an option to hide Lojban ("target") sentences, leaving only the sound to be listened. This method is for those who want to improve their spoken Lojban.
There are now four modules for Lojban so far, 172+172+171+167 = 682 sentences total. The fifth module is under development.
Parallel 2 Installer and modules are attached at the bottom of this page.
Source code for Parallel available here.
Program features:
System requirements:
Many thanks to Jorge Llambias (xorxes) for his comments and remarks. He makes the sentences in the modules correct and truly Lojbanic.
Here are stored the modules (more precisely, textual part of the modules) awaiting to be released.
Everyone competent in Lojban is welcome to post comments, find and point out mistakes/misprints and other stuff. After a certain period (one week) sound is recorded for the corrected version, and then it will be released for download.
Creating and sharing modules for Parallel is easy. Instructions here.