The City Speaks: Languages & Slang of Lower East Side
The City Speaks
A walking tour meets street theater in this immersive performance of New York language and slang. Set in the historically linguistic melting pot of the Lower East Side, this two hour exploration of words and accents is led by a guide in a jumpsuit known as “The Tour”—but all guests participate. Together everyone explores through group activities the origins of local slang and the distinctive New York accent. More importantly, we also communicate across the city’s diverse cultures to see how they form a new one.
Departure Point
- *NOTE* This is NOT a physical address, but an approximate location.Tour begins at the top of the steps to the entrance of Sara D Roosevelt Park next to the M15/21 bus stop and basketball courts. The closest Subway station is Second Avenue (F train), with an entrance across the street.
- *NOTE* This is NOT a physical address, but an approximate location.Tour begins at the top of the steps to the entrance of Sara D Roosevelt Park next to the M15/21 bus stop and basketball courts. The closest Subway station is Second Avenue (F train), with an entrance across the street.
- Human tour guide - English
Points of Interest
Stop At: Arlene Grocery95 Stanton St, New York City, New YorkIs it a "bodega" or a "deli"? Do you pronounce a place where one can buy everyday food items as a "gro-ce-ry" or a "gro-SHER-y" store?Duration: 5 minutesStop At: Beastie Boys Square98 Rivington St, New York City, New YorkSee how the storefront featured in the album to "Paul's Boutique" has changed since 1989.Duration: 2 minutesStop At: Orchard StreetNew York City, New YorkYiddish has had a profound impact on American English and its popular culture. Visit the commercial corridor that was once the heart of Jewish immigrants to New York.Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Tenement Museum103 Orchard St, New York City, New YorkLearn about the etymology of the word "tenanment" and learn about the immigrant and indigenous cultures that have called the area home for centuries.Duration: Not AvailableStop At: Seward ParkCanal Street, Essex St, New York City, New YorkFrom Dimes Square to the Forverts Building, from newsprint to table tennis, this pocket of the Lower East Side is rich with linguistic history from Jewish, Chinese, Russian, German, and Italian cultures.Duration: 15 minutesStop At: ChinatownCanal Street to Bayard Street, , New York City, New YorkEmbeded in the heart of the LES, Chinatown is a city of many distinct "villages" in its own right. Bound together by a common writing system, the tour decodes some of the written and spoken conventions of this multi-linguistic community.Duration: 30 minutesAdditional Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- PLEASE ARRIVE 10 MINUTES EARLY for check in. We cannot accommodate late arrivals, and once we begin we cannot answer the phone out of respect to other guests. If you are unsure you will be able to arrive on time, please contact us by email, and we will reply as soon as the tour is over. To plan accordingly, Subway commutes from Midtown and the Financial District are approximately 20 minutes; taxis and Ubers are also abundantly available but may take longer due to Manhattan traffic.
- Travelers should feel comfortable walking across a distance of 1.8 miles/2.9 km over 2 hours
- Guide
A walking tour meets street theater in this immersive performance of New York language and slang. Set in the historically linguistic melting pot of the Lower East Side, this two hour exploration of words and accents is led by a guide in a jumpsuit known as “The Tour”—but all guests participate. Together everyone explores through group activities the origins of local slang and the distinctive New York accent. More importantly, we also communicate across the city’s diverse cultures to see how they form a new one.
Departure Point
- *NOTE* This is NOT a physical address, but an approximate location.Tour begins at the top of the steps to the entrance of Sara D Roosevelt Park next to the M15/21 bus stop and basketball courts. The closest Subway station is Second Avenue (F train), with an entrance across the street.
- *NOTE* This is NOT a physical address, but an approximate location.Tour begins at the top of the steps to the entrance of Sara D Roosevelt Park next to the M15/21 bus stop and basketball courts. The closest Subway station is Second Avenue (F train), with an entrance across the street.
- Human tour guide - English
Points of Interest
Stop At: Arlene Grocery95 Stanton St, New York City, New YorkIs it a "bodega" or a "deli"? Do you pronounce a place where one can buy everyday food items as a "gro-ce-ry" or a "gro-SHER-y" store?Duration: 5 minutesStop At: Beastie Boys Square98 Rivington St, New York City, New YorkSee how the storefront featured in the album to "Paul's Boutique" has changed since 1989.Duration: 2 minutesStop At: Orchard StreetNew York City, New YorkYiddish has had a profound impact on American English and its popular culture. Visit the commercial corridor that was once the heart of Jewish immigrants to New York.Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Tenement Museum103 Orchard St, New York City, New YorkLearn about the etymology of the word "tenanment" and learn about the immigrant and indigenous cultures that have called the area home for centuries.Duration: Not AvailableStop At: Seward ParkCanal Street, Essex St, New York City, New YorkFrom Dimes Square to the Forverts Building, from newsprint to table tennis, this pocket of the Lower East Side is rich with linguistic history from Jewish, Chinese, Russian, German, and Italian cultures.Duration: 15 minutesStop At: ChinatownCanal Street to Bayard Street, , New York City, New YorkEmbeded in the heart of the LES, Chinatown is a city of many distinct "villages" in its own right. Bound together by a common writing system, the tour decodes some of the written and spoken conventions of this multi-linguistic community.Duration: 30 minutesAdditional Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- PLEASE ARRIVE 10 MINUTES EARLY for check in. We cannot accommodate late arrivals, and once we begin we cannot answer the phone out of respect to other guests. If you are unsure you will be able to arrive on time, please contact us by email, and we will reply as soon as the tour is over. To plan accordingly, Subway commutes from Midtown and the Financial District are approximately 20 minutes; taxis and Ubers are also abundantly available but may take longer due to Manhattan traffic.
- Travelers should feel comfortable walking across a distance of 1.8 miles/2.9 km over 2 hours
- Guide
Need To Know Info
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
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