Pratique du Shadowing: Why Aren't Keyboard in ABC Order? | Invention of Typewriter | How QWERTY Conquered Keyboards - Apprendre l'anglais à l'oral avec la vidéo

Création de la leçon...
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No, say ABC.
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Oh little kitty, why are you teaching the alphabet to the keyboard?
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The keyboard doesn't know ABC.
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Look!
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Ha ha ha!
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Well, I know this looks like a mistake.
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But there is a reason why the alphabets are in this order.
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Why?
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Let me answer that by addressing an alphabetical question.
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Why aren't keyboards in ABC order?
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Zoom in!
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If you've ever glanced at the keyboard of your electronic device, you've probably noticed something strange.
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It's not organized in the logical sequence of the alphabet.
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Instead, it might seem like a curious mishmash of letters a seemingly random arrangement that defies the familiar ABC order.
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But, what if I told you, they are arranged this way for a reason?
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To know the answer, let's travel back to the 1800s, where an American inventor, Christopher Scholes,
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was focused on perfecting a device known as a Paginator, designed to efficiently type numbers onto paper.
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However, one fine day, his friend Carlos Gleiden brought forth a magazine featuring an article about an innovative device,
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the Tero-Type, an advanced machine that could print alphabets onto paper.
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Motivated by this discovery, Schultz shifted his focus toward creating his version of the machine.
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After much effort in 1874, his invention eventually materialized as the typewriter,
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which had the keyboard in the usual alphabetical order.
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Excited by this, Schultz handed his invention for testing to telegraph operators,
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who required swift transcription of messages from Morse code.
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However, while using this new machine, the operators found the alphabetical layout quite confusing.
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More importantly, the faster someone typed, the more frequently the typewriter jammed,
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particularly when the keys were closely positioned on the keyboard.
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He took this feedback seriously and experimented with various arrangements aiming to minimize the necessity of typing closely positioned keys.
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After numerous trials and errors, he arrived at the best arrangement known as the QWERTY keyboard,
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which remains in common use today.
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Just look at the top row of a keyboard to understand why it's called QWERTY.
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Later, Scholz sold his invention to the Remington company,
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which manufactured and marketed the first commercially successful typewriters featuring the QWERTY keyboard.
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Following this, numerous people worldwide learned to type proficiently on this keyboard,
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opening up abundant job opportunities for them.
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So despite several other options coming into the market, like the Vorac keyboard layout designed to put less stress on the typist's hands,
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most people found it hard to switch to a different keyboard
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layout as they were already trained to use the QWERTY keyboard layout by that time.
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And this familiarity is the reason that later on, even computers and smartphones retained in the QWERTY layout.
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This proves that sometimes what seems most logical isn't what everyone ends up using.
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People stick to what they know and what works best for them.
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So we can say that a change made due to the jamming of keys is stuck with us forever.
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Trivia time!
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Did you know that thousands of English words can be spelled using only the left hand?
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While only a couple of hundred words can be typed using only the right hand
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also typewriter proprietor perpetuity and repertoire are the longest English words that can be written
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using only the keys in the top row It's sketching time Today's sketch of the day goes to VEDHA!
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Hope you learnt something new today.
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Until next time, it's me, Dr. Binox, zooming out!
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Oh, what are you doing, Kitty?
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Making a keyboard.
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And what is it called?
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Kitty Keyboard!
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Ha ha ha!
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Never mind!
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Thank you.

About This Lesson

In this lesson, you will practice speaking English by learning about the fascinating history behind the QWERTY keyboard layout. The conversation engages with the invention of the typewriter and explains why keyboards aren't arranged in alphabetical order. As you follow along, you’ll not only enhance your vocabulary but also improve your pronunciation and fluency through a unique shadowing method. By mimicking the speaker’s tone and pacing, you will gain confidence in your speech capabilities while exploring an interesting topic that combines technology and linguistics. This is a perfect opportunity to learn English with YouTube!

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Alphabetical order - The arrangement of letters according to their position in the alphabet.
  • Typewriter - A mechanical device used for typing characters on paper.
  • Inventor - A person who creates or designs something new.
  • Transcription - The act of converting spoken language into written text.
  • Ergonomics - The study of people's efficiency in their working environment.
  • Jammed - A situation where mechanical parts get stuck and cease functioning properly.
  • Layout - The arrangement of keys or buttons on a keyboard or similar device.
  • Familiarity - The quality of being well-acquainted with something.

Practice Tips

As you practice your speaking skills, consider using shadow speech techniques. Shadowing involves listening to the speaker and immediately repeating what they say, mimicking their intonation and rhythm. This can greatly enhance your fluency. Start with a short segment of the video and play it at a slower speed if needed to ensure you can articulate the words clearly. Pay attention to how Dr. Binox pronounces key vocabulary, particularly terms like typewriter and alphabetical order, as they are pronounced with various stress patterns. For best results, practice with the transcript while watching the video, which aids in mastering the sounds and phrases effectively. Remember, consistency is key, and regularly revisiting these videos on this shadowing site will bolster your English language skills. Enjoy the process, and have fun learning English with YouTube!

Qu'est-ce que la technique du Shadowing ?

Le Shadowing est une technique d'apprentissage des langues fondée sur la science, développée à l'origine pour la formation des interprètes professionnels. Le principe est simple mais puissant : vous écoutez de l'anglais natif et le répétez immédiatement à voix haute — comme une ombre suivant le locuteur avec un décalage de 1 à 2 secondes. Les recherches montrent une amélioration significative de la précision de la prononciation, de l'intonation, du rythme, des liaisons, de la compréhension orale et de la fluidité.