How Language Works: Why babies babble, spelling is illogical and words

Crystal David

ISBN 10: 0140515380 / ISBN 13: 9780140515381

Published by Penguin, London, 2005

About this Item

Dustwrapper is protected.

Seller Inventory # 038628

Bibliographic Details

• Title: How Language Works: Why babies babble, spelling is illogical and words
• Publisher: Penguin, London
• Publication Date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0140515380
• ISBN 13: 9780140515381
• Binding: Soft cover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Fine

About this title

Synopsis

In this fascinating survey of everything from how sounds become speech to how names work, David Crystal answers every question you might ever have had about the nuts and bolts of language in his usual highly illuminating way. Along the way we find out about eyebrow flashes, whistling languages, how parents teach their children to speak, how politeness travels across languages and how the way we talk show not just how old we are but where we're from and even who we want to be.

About the Author

David Crystal is Honorary Professor of Linguistics at the University of Wales, Bangor. He has published over 90 books, most recently The Stories of English, and is the editor of The Penguin Encyclopaedia. In 1995, he was awarded the OBE for services to the English language. He lives in Holyhead, Anglesey.