The Future of Language: The Book of the Lectures: The Routledge David Crystal Lectures - Softcover

Crystal, David

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0415550610 ISBN 13: 9780415550611

Publisher: Routledge, 2009

Synopsis

For the first time, The Future of Language brings together three of Professor David Crystal’s most popular lectures on the future of language. One of the world’s foremost experts on language and English language, and arguably the most accessible and entertaining writer and lecturer in this area, Crystal delivers these informative and highly enjoyable performance lectures exploring key contemporary language issues: 'The Future of Englishes', 'Language Death' and 'Internet Linguistics'.

This accompanying book supplements the DVD with Crystal’s comprehensive commentary on the lectures. A short overview of the main themes discussed across the three lectures is followed by sections devoted to each of the three lectures. Each sections provides a more detailed introduction to the lecture topic, a synopsis of all the main points covered and a cultural usage commentary explaining and analysing points of interest, along with further reading and activities for the classroom that enable students to begin engaging with language straight away.

An index for both the DVD and the book is provided so users can search for topics of interest easily. Timecodes are also included so users can easily pinpoint the commentary items. The book concludes with Crystal's reflections on how the three interrelated topics covered will continue to interact and contribute to the evolution of language.

This is an ideal resource for all university and A-level English Language and Linguistics departments and will be of interest to anyone involved in the study of language, especially those involved with teaching or learning English as a second language.

About this title

Review

'These three lectures are all fascinating, and brilliantly delivered. In fact, the biggest problem with this disk is that there are only three; I found myself wanting more. These lectures bristle with jumping-off points for discussion and thinking about practically any linguistic, historical, or social issue.' - John Lawler, Professor Emeritus of Linguistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

'David Crystal's performance lectures are to linguistics as the Beatles are to rock -an entertaining mix of classic and innovation, a delight to watch and listen to.' - Susan Gayle Strauss, Penn State University

From the Back Cover

For the first time, The Routledge David Crystal Lectures bring together three of Professor David Crystal’s most popular lectures on the future of language. One of the world’s foremost experts on language, and arguably the most accessible and entertaining writer and lecturer on the English language, Crystal delivers these informative and highly enjoyable performance lectures exploring key contemporary language issues within today’s social and evolutionary climate: The Future of English, Language Death and Internet Linguistics.

An accompanying book with Crystal’s commentary on the lectures is included within the DVD package. This book supplements the lectures with a short overview of the main themes discussed, followed by a more detailed introduction to each topic, a synopsis of all the main points made in each lecture and finally Crystal’s reflections on how the three interrelated topics covered here will continue to interact and contribute to the evolution of language.

Special features of the book:

• A cultural and usage commentary explaining and analysing any points of interest
• Further reading and activities for the classroom – easy to follow tasks to get students engaging with language straight away
• An index both for the DVD and the book so users can search for topics of interest

Special features of the DVD include:

• English subtitles
• Commentary points referenced within the accompanying book can be easily accessed on the DVD by entering the relevant timecodes

This is the ideal resource for all English Language and Linguistics University and A-level departments and will be of interest to all students involved in the study of language.

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0415550610
• ISBN 13: 9780415550611
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1