Why You Need a Foreign Language & How to Learn One: Second Edition [Paperback]

Edward Trimnell (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0974833010 | ISBN-13: 978-0974833019 | Publication Date: August 22, 2005 | Edition: 2nd

Native English-speakers have become overly dependent on the language skills of others. And this dependence costs us dearly. The first half of this book examines the commercial, social, and political implications of American monolingualism. As Americans ignore foreign languages, new economic and political trends are making foreign language skills essential for native English-speakers in the twenty-first century. We need foreign language skills to compete successfully in the global marketplace, to understand others, and to protect ourselves from emerging threats throughout the world. The second half of the book explores the techniques and tools that a working professional can use to acquire functional skills in a new language. Discover how you can learn a foreign language through a self-directed program of independent study. Find out which languages are most useful in the business world, and how a new language can dramatically enhance your career prospects.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Adds context for today's business world...Intelligent, current, and compassionate... good stuff here." -- Global_jd: John Dowdell's journal of studying Japanese, Mandarin, and more in San Francisco

"Great debunking! Should be required reading." -- Amazon.com customer review of the first edition

"The arguments are persuasive and Mr. Trimnell backs them up with data and references." -- Amazon.com customer review of the first edition

"Trimnell has put his real-world experience and knowledge of learning foreign languages into an accessible, engaging book." -- Transitions Abroad Magazine on the first edition

From the Publisher

No one denies that foreign language skills are helpful for multicultural understanding. In Why You Need a Foreign Language & How to Learn One, Edward Trimnell explains why foreign languages are necessary for commercial and strategic purposes as well. Originally conceived as a wakeup call to American corporate managers, this book explains why businesspersons and other non-linguists need foreign language skills as much as (or more than) liberal arts majors. Written from a private sector perspective, Why You Need a Foreign Language & How to Learn One is a hardboiled, no-nonsense look at the collision of language, business, and globalization in the twenty-first century.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 236 pages
• Publisher: Beechmont Crest Publishing; 2nd edition (August 22, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0974833010
• ISBN-13: 978-0974833019
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,601,301 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Edward Trimnell writes books on a number of topics in the fields of history, language, and business. His books have been used in college classrooms, and quoted by sources as diverse as the U.S. Army and the Wall Street Journal. Edward currently resides in Ohio.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Exposes myths about globalization and language, October 12, 2005

By 

Robert W. 19_8 (Lexington, KY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Why You Need a Foreign Language & How to Learn One: Second Edition (Paperback)

According to this book, Americans have allowed themselves to be lulled into a belief that foreign language skills are no longer necessary because "everyone in the world is learning English." In this concise volume, Trimnell examines some neglected sides of the national debate about globalization.

The first of these is that Americans have become dependent on the language skills of others. The ramifications of this dependency (especially for American businesspersons) are explained and documented in-depth.

The book includes other arguments, such as the limited proficiency of non-native English-speakers who have studied English abroad. The author also has a lot to say about globalization, and some new trends which will likely affect the status of various languages in the world.

The second half of the book is a roadmap for learning a foreign language. The information presented here is helpful for anyone new to language study.

I would have given this book five stars but for a few minor quibbles: In the scope of a 236-page book, the author explores topics as diverse as business, world governing bodies, cultural nationalism, the war on terror, and how they relate to language. The arguments mostly ring true, but the sheer scope of the thesis might be a little too vast for the format. This might have been broken down into two separate books.

Nevertheless, the author deserves kudos for approaching the issues from a truly original perspective. Trimnell also backs up his arguments with facts and data. You may or may not agree with him, but you'll have to respect his arguments.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I'm very impressed, May 31, 2006

By 

Jonathan S. Anderson "Travel Mech" (Pennsylvania, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Why You Need a Foreign Language & How to Learn One: Second Edition (Paperback)

After reading this book, I have a very good impression of Mr. Trimnell and his ideas. As you can tell by the title, he has divided the book into two sections. In the first, he makes an outstanding effort at proving why you cannot and should not rely on others to do your translating. I felt a little bit like I was listening to someone from a college debating team. First, he states the common fallacies held by Americans about languages. Next, he gives the arguments in favor of these beliefs and then he systematically destroys them one by one. It is a very effective technique which forces me to accept 99% of his concerns about America's language learning deficit.

The reason I only give it four stars has to do with the second half of the book. While I found his tips for learning a new language fairly valuable, I think other books have done a better job on this topic. (I *HIGHLY* recommend Barry Farber's book.) The "language learning" session seemed a bit out of place and I agree with the previous reviewer. I think I would have preferred the book more if Trimnell had stuck to one topic and written a second book concerning the "how to's". I think this would have allowed him to give more depth concerning such a broad subject.

I still recommend the book, however. I plan on rereading it when my language studies hit the doldrums. It will hold an honored place on my bookshelf and was WELL worth the investment.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Makes a good case, November 4, 2006

By 

JT McL "JT" (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Why You Need a Foreign Language & How to Learn One: Second Edition (Paperback)

I think this book makes an excellent case for learning a foreign language, at least from a business standpoint. The author does a good job dispelling the myth that the rest of the world speaks English- a fact I can attest to having traveled to Mexico, France, and Spain. I think anyone looking for a bit of motivation would do well to read this book.

I think the second half of the book is a little weaker than the first half, but there is still some valuable advice for the aspiring language learner. I am not convinced that learning a language to business-level standards is possible without spending at least some time in an immersion environment, and I think that point is somewhat overlooked in the text.