Sep 01, 2008 david crystal s how language works is a fascinating tour through the world of language from one of todays most renowned experts. He is honorary professor of linguistics at the university of. David crystal is a leading authority on language, and author of many books, including most recently language and the internet, cambridge, 2001. The cambridge encyclopedia of the english language 1995 1,1,1. Nov 01, 2007 language is so fundamental to everyday life that we take it for granted. What prof crystal doesnt know about language is not worth knowing. Mar 29, 2007 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. Author david crystals specialty is in the english language, but that doesnt mean he cant tell us about other aspects of language acquisition. In 1995, he was awarded the obe for services to the english language. David crystal investigates the nature of the impact which the. Jul 04, 2008 despite doomladen prophecies, texting has not been the disaster for language many feared, argues linguistics professor david crystal.
Professor david crystal, a linguistics expert, whose book language death examines the prospects for 3,000 endangered languages. In language play, crystal explores the various ways in which people play with language. Independent on sunday fascinating to the specialist and nonspecialist alike, this is an important book which puts across its point in clear accessible prose. The cambridge encyclopedia of the english language 1995. Speaking of writing and writing of speaking david crystal the fundamental distinction the distinction between speech and writing is traditionally felt to be fundamental to any discussion about language. I read this while studying for a degree in theoretical linguistics. Rarely has a book so packed with accurate and well researched factual information been so widely read and popularly acclaimed.
Independent a serious study of why so many languages across the world are dying. Of course english is a global language,they would say. The language crystal october 1988 edition open library. David crystal received an obe for services to the english language in 1995, and. Should facial movements and body language be considered as language, acc. When i sneeze at the party you can infer that i sneezed intentionally and interpret my sneeze as indicating my desire to leave. David crystal is an independent scholar with lifelong experience as a lecturer, public speaker, and broadcaster. Delaware county district library ohio scanned in china.
Yet we seem to take our own astonishing linguistic powers for grantedthe ability to speak, listen, and understand, to read and write. On the contrary, it improves childrens writing and spelling. English as a global language with millions of popular intuitions at a level which had simply not existed a decade before. Because his father no work and his mother do all the work, thass why. In particular, it includes material on computational approaches to language. Introduction to the linguistic study of language tend to sneeze when im ready to go home, and you agree to interpret my sneeze in this way. In this charming volume, a narrative history written explicitly for a young audience, expert linguist david crystal proves why the story of language deserves retelling. Language is so fundamental to everyday life that we take it for granted.
The times educational supplement book description this third edition incorporates the major developments in language study since the mid 1990s. Also by david crystal see all books by david crystal. Linguistic terminology can hardly fail to be influenced by these new per spectives. He outlines the professionsincluding advertising, headline writing, and comedythat rely on language play. From the first words of an infant to the peculiar modern dialect of text messaging, a little book of language ranges widely, revealing languages myriad intricacies and quirks. Before we can arrive at an estimate of the scale of the problem, we need to develop a sense of perspective. The story of battlesboth past and presentsurrounding english language usage, the fight for english explores why millions of people feel linguistically inferior. What is the relationship between linguistics and semiotics. This is not only a very informative book but david crystal writes in a humorous and entertaining way. David crystal is honorary professor of linguistics at the university of wales, bangor. Nov 02, 2006 a virtual encyclopedia of language, so broad in scope that its subtitle can only hint at its contents.
Unhappy with the zero tolerance approach to punctuation offered by lynn trusss eats, shoots, and leaves, david crystal offers a view of the subject that is much more balanced. These are the kinds of statement which seem so obvious that most people would give them hardly a second thought. The language crystal by lawrence lyons, october 1988, grammar publishing edition, paperback in english. The recordings that are part of this book can be heard at audio on this website. He moves effortlessly from big subjects like the origins of languages, how children learn to speak, and how conversation works to subtle but revealing points such as how email differs from both speech and writing in important ways, how language reveals a. Indeed, many would find the difference so basic and obvious that they might question the need to devote any space to it at all. David crystal, penguin books, london, 2006, 486pp, isbn 978 0 141 01552 1. How language works by david crystal overdrive rakuten.
He has published over ninety books, most recently the stories of english, and is the editor of the penguin encyclopaedia. A 2019 revision by david crystal and derek davy of the book first published in 1976 and long outofprint. David crystal is the most charismatic lexicographer since dr johnson. An honorary professor of linguistics at the university of bangor, he lives in holyhead, u. He is one of the most highly respected commentators on the english language. The hindu this book lucidly reveals the complex truth about language death, and suggests a practical programme to avoid it. David crystal has a great facility for explaining language issues with plain good sense, wit and admirable brevity. David crystal, world authority on the english language, presents a lively. Jul 29, 1987 the cambridge encyclopedia of language is a broad survey of language and linguistics, aimed at a popular audience. English as a global language, second edition institute for cultural. We all understand why language workswe have to communicate to surviveand now david crystal, the world authority on language, shows us how.
The pitt building, trumpington street, cambridge, united kingdom the edinburgh building, cambridge cb2 2ru, uk. English as a global language the library of congress. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The fight for english david crystal oxford university press. How language works by david crystal, 9780141015521, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. How language works is a masterful book on everything related to language. Benjamin zephaniah david crystals writings on linguistics never fail to be. But as david crystal makes clear in this work of unprecedented scope, language is an extremely powerful tool that defines the human species.
Long after coming up with the title, i realized that there were several published books with the same title and at least one more has appeared since i released this book. View enhanced pdf access article on wiley online library html view download pdf for offline viewing. Part one highlights popular ideas and especially misconceptions about language, covering such topics as description versus prescription and the. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. It is organised thematically, with sixty five chapters divided into eleven parts. English has been deemed the most successful language ever, with 1500 million speakers internationally, presenting a difficult task to those who wish to. The author makes the case that altho ugh there is an a mple historical rec ord to show that some. How language works and words, words, words by david. Pdf just a phrase im going through by david crystal mansoor. English as a global language second edition davidcrystal,worldauthorityontheenglishlanguage,presentsalively andfactualaccountoftheriseofenglishasagloballanguageandex. The cambridge encyclopedia of the english language by david. For this communication to succeed two elements must be in place. Broad and deep, but with a light and witty touch, how language works is the ultimate laymans guide to how we communicate with one another. Ask a science teacher 250 questions answered on how stuff works.
He has published over ninety books, most recently the stories of english. The cambridge encyclopedia of the english language is one of the publishing phenomena of recent times. Buy the cambridge encyclopedia of language 3 by crystal, david isbn. Apr 29, 2002 language death includes intelligent argument and moving descriptions of the decline and demise of particular languages, as well as practical advise for anyone interested in pursuing the subject further. The cambridge encyclopedia of language by david crystal. Publication date 2006 topics linguistics, language and languages.
959 269 1605 659 500 671 1062 751 650 372 1599 985 630 42 193 86 577 1247 294 177 1001 1066 529 1514 833 1625 849 625 296 216 408 786 1061 591 1384 663 777 13 1196 1183 1404 215 846