| Description |
vii, 260 pages : illustrations ; 22 cm |
| Note |
Includes index. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Subject |
Language and languages.
|
|
Language acquisition.
|
| ISBN |
9780300155334 alkaline paper |
|
0300155336 alkaline paper |
|
