Sleeping Dictionary

A "sleeping dictionary" is a term used to describe a person who gains a "new language (L2)" and culture by being in a romantic relationship with someone who doesn't speak your native language, L1.

See the movie "Sleeping Dictionary" 2001.

A young and naive Englishman, John Truscott , goes to the British colony of Sarawak, Borneo to try and apply his father's work to the Iban society. There he meets his boss Henry Bullard and his wife Aggie Bullard . John tries to civilize them, building schools and providing education for the Iban people. He is met with unfamiliar local customs. Selima becomes his "sleeping dictionary," who sleeps with him and teaches him the language and the habits of the locals.

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