Babel No More
by Michael Erard
In the second part of the book, Erard investigates natural limits of the human capacity to acquire language by meeting with a number of linguists and polyglots. In order to define a limit, one must first define what it means to be fluent in a language. Fluency, although used as a definite noun, is undefined. One linguist Erard consults says, "Asking how many languages you know is only half the question. You should also ask, 'In how many languages do you live?'"
Through meeting with many linguists and polyglots, Erard arrives upon the general rule that one may learn up to six languages to considerable proficiency over one's life without much time commitment, but after six languages, one must be truly dedicated to the acquisition of language (in the sense of a full-time job). At the end of the book, Erard differentiates multilingualism and hyperpolyglottery - the first being the acquisition of language out of necessity to exist in the immediate community (most often mixed communities), while the second is the pursuit of language as a bridge to the rest of the world (but it may estrange the learner from the immediate language community).
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I feel this book does a good job of discussing hyperpolyglottery using a proper combination of skepticism and awe, remaining very factual. Reading about all of these polyglots motivates me in my study of language and linguistics.
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