Linguist -- My Language Adventure Journey

Author: [Canada] Steve Kaufman, translated by Zhan Liru
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: Open this book, "Language Lover," and you'll be surprised that a foreigner can write a book in English that quotes the allusion of "curved wood" from Zhuangzi's "Free and Easy Wandering" as its opening. As he says, the entire book aims to instill a sense of joy in the reader. By the time you finish reading, you'll find yourself subconsciously shedding the heavy burden of reading educational books in the past. Kaufman uses his own real-life experiences to tell you that language learning doesn't necessarily come with boredom, frustration, and pain. Beyond language, Kaufman also presents readers with a breathtaking world of cultural landscapes—glorious Spain, romantic France, and the highly enchanting Japan are all included. What's particularly valuable is that the author also leaves behind his impressions of China in the 1960s, as well as the changes he witnessed firsthand since the 1980s, along with the authentic experiences of an outsider as an observer at that time and place. Mr. Kaufman, who has mastered nine languages, describes a joyful journey of language learning filled with adventures through his personal experiences. He believes that everyone has the talent to learn languages, and with the right stimulation, the potential of most people can be unlocked. In fact, language learning doesn't necessarily have to be dull, frustrating, or painful—just as both of us have experienced. It turns out that language learning can be full of the joy and delight of exploring cultural exchange and identity. In this book, he also presents Chinese readers with a charming world of cultural landscapes—glorious Spain, romantic France, and the highly enchanting Japan, where the author's traces of learning languages and experiencing rich lives are everywhere: Let's follow Mr. Kaufman as we savor culture through language learning and feel the joy from cultural exchange!