Preface vii
Foreword to the First Edition xvii
Foreword to the Second Edition xix
Foreword to the Fourth Edition xxi
Introduction 23
What Is Language? 35
Why Do We and Why Should We Study Languages? 37
!e Type of Language to Study 39
“Easy” and “Difficult” Languages 41
How to Study Languages 49
Who !is Book Is and Isn’t For 51
Let’s Read! 67
Why and What We Should Read 73
How We Should Read 85
Reading and Pronunciation 89
What Sort of Languages Do People Study? 97Language and Vocabulary 103
Vocabulary and Context 107
How to Learn Words 113
Age and Language Learning 121
Dictionaries: Crutches or Helpful Tools? 127
Textbooks 131
How We Converse in a Foreign Language 133
How We Should Converse in a Foreign Language 139
How I Learn Languages 147
Grading Our Linguistic Mastery 165
!e Linguistic Gift 173
Language Careers 183
!e Interpreting Career 187
Reminiscences from My Travels 199
What’s Around the Linguistic Corner? 209
Epilogue 215