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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I'm interested in language learning from both a learner's and teacher's point of view. I was expecting this book to be a fascinating read. Unfortunately, it was very disappointing for various reasons, for example:
* It was apparently written for people with no knowledge about learning foreign languages and clearly attempted to cater to the lowest common denominator.
* Minimal research into finding language learners.
* A haphazard and superficial look at the neurology behind language acquisition.
I'm certain there are more extraordinary learners out there, but Erard didn't find them.
In conclusion, I would not recommend bothering with "Babel No More" because it was more like reading a chatty article in a woman's magazine while waiting at the dentist's than a true investigation into polyglots.
* It was apparently written for people with no knowledge about learning foreign languages and clearly attempted to cater to the lowest common denominator.
* Minimal research into finding language learners.
* A haphazard and superficial look at the neurology behind language acquisition.
I'm certain there are more extraordinary learners out there, but Erard didn't find them.
In conclusion, I would not recommend bothering with "Babel No More" because it was more like reading a chatty article in a woman's magazine while waiting at the dentist's than a true investigation into polyglots.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I enjoyed it. Some of the other reviews were negative, but I think that they may have expected a more scientific book (also, reviews of the kindle edition, or reviews published in newspapers and magazines, are generally positive). This book is written for a general audience, and the subtitle, "The Search For..." should be taken to heart. It describes the author's experiences and the people he met in his "search." While I didn't really perceive a strong focus holding the book together, the book introduced me to a bunch of interesting people, past and present, who know many languages. One particularly neat comparison was between some guy in northern California, who studied mostly by himself (through audio recordings and texts) and some people in India, who "picked up" several languages as they needed them due to the requirements of every day life in that part of the world. Different approaches towards similar results.
Overall, it's generally interesting and an accessible introduction to the world of people who know many languages.
Overall, it's generally interesting and an accessible introduction to the world of people who know many languages.
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I am a keen language learner and was really looking forward to reading this book. However I was very very disappointed. The research is very superficial and based purely on anecdotes and haphazard conversations with liguists and neuroscientists. The tone of the book is at times very casual and almost derisory, whilst at the same time trying to sound scientific. The purpose of the book itself is unclear. A very disappointing purchase.
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