photo: Cynthia Vargas Hernández

I’m a language YouTuber and PhD candidate in linguistics at Stanford University.

What most interests me about language is the way it is used to communicate social information, like a person’s demographics, emotional states, attitudes, and personal qualities. My dissertation focuses on speech rate and how it is used to manage information in the flow of conversation.

My YouTube channel is where I share tips for learning any language, and talk about the complexities of language and how linguistic principles can help you succeed in speaking new languages.

I lead two clubs at Stanford—the Advanced Degree Consulting Club and re:think, which I founded with my friend Valeria. I’ve learned a lot in the course of my PhD—but one of the most important things is that you have to design your own path, especially when the ones already out there are breaking down. I try to share what I can through the ADC Club and re:think.

I’m also a reader, a fiction writer, and a bookbinder. When I get the chance, my wife Cynthia and I try to see the world. Thanks for visiting—and check out my contact page to get in touch.