| Description |
vii, 260 pages : illustrations ; 22 cm |
| Note |
Includes index. |
| Summary |
With a language disappearing every two weeks and neologisms springing up almost daily, understanding the origins and currency of language has never seemed more relevant. The author delves into the fevelopment of unique linguistic styles, the origins of obsure accents and the search for the written word. He discusses the plight of endangered languages, as well as successful cases of linguistic revitalization. Much more than a history, this book also turns to the future of language, exploring the effect of technology on our day-to-day reading, writing, and speech.--From publisher description. |
| Contents |
Baby-talk -- From cries to words -- Learning how to understand -- Making vibrations -- Pronouncing sounds -- Discovering grammar -- Having a conversation -- Learning to read and write -- Getting to grips with spelling -- Spelling rules and variations -- Grammar rules and variations -- Accents and dialects -- Being bilingual -- The languages of the world -- The origins of speech -- The origins of writing -- Modern writing -- Sign language -- Comparing languages -- Dying languages -- Language change -- Language variation -- Language at work -- Slang -- Dictionaries -- Etymology -- Place names -- Personal names -- The electronic revolution -- Texting -- Language at play -- Why use language/ -- Language for feelings -- Political correctness -- Language in literature -- Developing a style -- The complexity of language -- Linguistics -- Applied linguistics -- Your language world. |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references and index. |
| Subject |
Language and languages -- Popular works.
|
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Language and languages. |
| Genre/Form |
Popular works.
|
| Subject |
Language acquisition -- Popular works.
|
|
Language acquisition. |
| Genre/Form |
Graphic novels.
|
|
Graphic novels.
|
|
Comics (Graphic works)
|
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Comics (Graphic works)
|
| ISBN |
9780300155334 alkaline paper |
|
0300155336 alkaline paper |
|
