Four Words for Friend: Why Using More Than One Language Matters Now More Than Ever - Hardcover

Marek Kohn

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0300231083 ISBN 13: 9780300231083

Publisher: Yale University Press, 2019

Synopsis

A compelling argument about the importance of using more than one language in today's world.

In a world that has English as its global language and rapidly advancing translation technology, it's easy to assume that the need to use more than one language will diminish - but Marek Kohn argues that plural language use is more important than ever. In a divided world, it helps us to understand ourselves and others better, to live together better, and to make the most of our various cultures. Kohn, whom the Guardian has called 'one of the best science writers we have', brings together perspectives from psychology, evolutionary thought, politics, literature, and everyday experience. He explores how people acquire languages; how they lose them; how they can regain them; how different languages may affect people's perceptions, their senses of self, and their relationships with each other; and how to resolve the fundamental contradiction of languages, that they exist as much to prevent communication as to make it happen.

About this title

About the Author

Marek Kohn is the author of The Race Gallery, As We Know It, A Reason for Everything, and Trust. He lives in Brighton, UK.

Edition details

• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Publication date: 2019
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0300231083
• ISBN 13: 9780300231083
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 264