Harper Perennial The Power of Babel: A Natural History of Language
Product ID: 287836510
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“An essay in origins … as theoretical as Hawking and Gorst in trying to see into the deep past. McWhorter is a clear and witty writer.”― Harper’s In the first book written for the layperson about the natural Review: Muy buen libro. - Un libro fantástico sobre el origen del lenguaje y sobre el comportamiento de éste a lo largo de los siglos. Review: A witty, accessible, and richly informative work - In The Power of Babel: A Natural History of Language, linguist John McWhorter offers a witty, accessible, and richly informative exploration of how languages evolve. Challenging the notion of a “perfect” or “original” language, McWhorter argues that all languages are in a constant state of flux—changing, blending, dying, and being reborn in new forms. He compares language evolution to biological evolution, with dialects branching off and mutating over time, often under the influence of conquest, trade, colonisation, and migration. McWhorter dismantles the myth of linguistic purity, showing that all languages are hybrids, shaped by history and culture as much as by internal logic. He dives into creoles, slang, grammar shifts, and phonetic quirks, often illustrating his points with entertaining anecdotes and comparisons drawn from a wide range of languages. What sets this book apart is its ability to make complex linguistic concepts both understandable and engaging for general readers. McWhorter’s style is lively, conversational, and often humorous, making this an enjoyable read as well as an enlightening one. The Power of Babel is a compelling celebration of linguistic diversity, offering readers a new appreciation for the dynamic, living nature of human language.
| Best Sellers Rank | #110,525 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #197 in Linguistics Reference #3,033 in Language Study & Reference #11,762 in Higher & Continuing Education Textbooks |
| Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 499 Reviews |
A**S
Muy buen libro.
Un libro fantástico sobre el origen del lenguaje y sobre el comportamiento de éste a lo largo de los siglos.
R**Y
A witty, accessible, and richly informative work
In The Power of Babel: A Natural History of Language, linguist John McWhorter offers a witty, accessible, and richly informative exploration of how languages evolve. Challenging the notion of a “perfect” or “original” language, McWhorter argues that all languages are in a constant state of flux—changing, blending, dying, and being reborn in new forms. He compares language evolution to biological evolution, with dialects branching off and mutating over time, often under the influence of conquest, trade, colonisation, and migration. McWhorter dismantles the myth of linguistic purity, showing that all languages are hybrids, shaped by history and culture as much as by internal logic. He dives into creoles, slang, grammar shifts, and phonetic quirks, often illustrating his points with entertaining anecdotes and comparisons drawn from a wide range of languages. What sets this book apart is its ability to make complex linguistic concepts both understandable and engaging for general readers. McWhorter’s style is lively, conversational, and often humorous, making this an enjoyable read as well as an enlightening one. The Power of Babel is a compelling celebration of linguistic diversity, offering readers a new appreciation for the dynamic, living nature of human language.
M**A
Muito interessante
Análise histórica muito interessante de como as diversas línguas e dialetos se misturam e se transformam ao longo do tempo. Também permite conhecer um pouco de regras gramaticais inusitadas em línguas mais distantes da nossa.
C**Y
Ein Schmankerl für sprachinteressierte
Sehr interessant, enthält viele Fakten, die anschaulich präsentiert werden
I**E
Natural History of Language
Must read for language freaks.
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