The Language Imperative: How Learning Languages Can Enrich Your Life and Expand Your Mind - Hardcover

Elgin, Suzette Haden

 
9780738202549: The Language Imperative: How Learning Languages Can Enrich Your Life and Expand Your Mind
Hardcover
ISBN 10: 0738202541 ISBN 13: 9780738202549
Publisher: Perseus Books, 2000

Synopsis

Why multilingualism enhances the human experience, and why English Only language policies are shortsighted.. }Many of us view language as a tool, a means by which to communicate our thoughts and emotions. But is there more to language than just talk? Can learning languages actually change the way you think? In The Language Imperative , best-selling author and linguistic scholar Suzette Haden Elgin makes a persuasive case that the linguistic differences between us are not trivial, that language and culture are inextricably linked, and that multilingualism has a profound (and beneficial) effect on the human mind. Drawing on examples from the worlds of medicine, business, religion, and family life, Elgin illustrates that each language learned gains for the speaker another worldviewperhaps even another personality. This makes it all the more disturbing that many of the worlds languages are rapidly disappearing, and that the English Only movement is gaining ground. Based on solid science and filled with personal insights, The Language Imperative is required reading for anyone interested in how words shape our lives, both as individuals and as a nation. }

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

Synopsis

Why multilingualism enhances the human experience, and why English Only language policies are shortsighted.. }Many of us view language as a tool, a means by which to communicate our thoughts and emotions. But is there more to language than just talk? Can learning languages actually change the way you think? In The Language Imperative , best-selling author and linguistic scholar Suzette Haden Elgin makes a persuasive case that the linguistic differences between us are not trivial, that language and culture are inextricably linked, and that multilingualism has a profound (and beneficial) effect on the human mind. Drawing on examples from the worlds of medicine, business, religion, and family life, Elgin illustrates that each language learned gains for the speaker another worldviewperhaps even another personality. This makes it all the more disturbing that many of the worlds languages are rapidly disappearing, and that the English Only movement is gaining ground. Based on solid science and filled with personal insights, The Language Imperative is required reading for anyone interested in how words shape our lives, both as individuals and as a nation. }

About the Author

Suzette Haden Elgin received her Ph.D. from the University of California, San Diego. A specialist in applied psycholinguistics, she is the author of the best-selling Gentle Art of Verbal Self-defence series, which consists of thirteen books and two audio programs. She is also the founder and director of the Ozark centre for Language Studies.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Publisher
Perseus Books
Publication date
2000
Language
English
ISBN 10 
0738202541
ISBN 13 
9780738202549
Binding
Hardcover
Number of pages
304

Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

9780738204284: The Language Imperative: How Learning Languages Can Enrich Your Life

Featured Edition

ISBN 10:  0738204285 ISBN 13:  9780738204284
Publisher: Perseus, 2000
Softcover