Cognita Linguae

A condensed guide for the modern learner of languages
So you've decided to learn a language
If you're only going to read these first few sentences, here's the secret to learning a language: know yourself and how you learn, involve others even if you're shy, and be obsessed, no matter who you are, smart, dumb, rich, poor, you can learn a language. The pages that follow are a brief elaboration on this axium, interwoven with practical stories from me, a real life language learner.

In every social class, in every century, in every part of the world, people of various backgrounds have learned foreign languages. Yet, a glance back at the history of modern language reveals an ever-changing approach to this kind of learning. Before the industrial revolution, to gain currency in a second-language was often no big deal! People learning a new language could consider the undertaking as they would learning a trade: just a useful new skill set. In other cultures, multilingualism was a normal part of life, due to the close proximity or intermingling of other cultures and language groups. For centuries now, most representatives of humankind have spoken more than one language. The writing in this guide is based on the original and exceedingly valid ethos that says languages are for all.