The Cambridge encyclopedia of language

Author(s)

• Crystal, David

Bibliographic Information

The Cambridge encyclopedia of language

David Crystal

Cambridge University Press, 1987

• : hard
• : pbk

Note

Bibliography: p. 448-452

Includes indexes

Description and Table of Contents

Description

Where did human language come from? How many languages are there? How do we acquire our first language or learn a second one? The highly acclaimed Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language by David Crystal answers these and other questions about language. From hieroglyphics to trucker talk, from Shakespeare in pidgin to sneezing in Tongan, this is a stimulating and richly illustrated guide to the variety, structure, history and theory of language. David Crystal not only conveys the intrinsic fascination of the subject, but also its enormous complexity. The visual dimension of the encyclopedia throws a fresh light on what has traditionally been treated as a non-visual subject, with many drawings, photographs, maps, display boxes and extracts all integrated within the text. In addition, appendices, meticulous cross-referencing and indexing ensure that this is an authoritative work of reference for students, professionals and general readers alike.

Table of Contents

• 1. Popular ideas about language
• 2. Language and identity
• 3. The structure of language
• 4. The medium of language: speaking and listening
• 5. The medium of language: reading and writing
• 6. The medium of language: signing and seeing
• 7. Child language acquisition
• 8. Language, brain and handicap
• 9. The languages of the world
• 10. Language in the world
• 11. Language and communication. Appendices 1 Glossary
• 2 Special symbols and abbreviations used in The Encyclopedia of Language
• 3 Table of the world's languages
• 4 Further reading
• 5 References
• 6 Index of langauges, families, dialects and scripts
• 7 Index of authors and personalities
• 8 Index of topics

by "Nielsen BookData"

Details

• NCID: BA01280201
• ISBN:
  • 0521264383
  • 0521424437
• LCCN: 86032637
• Country Code: uk
• Title Language Code: eng
• Text Language Code: eng
• Place of Publication: Cambridge ; New York
• Pages/Volumes: vii, 472 p.
• Size: 29 cm
• Classification:
  • LCC : P29
  • DC19 : 403
  • NDC7 : 803.3
  • NDC8 : 803
  • NDC8 : 803.3
• Subject Headings:
  • LCSH : Language and languages -- Dictionaries
  • LCSH : Linguistics -- Dictionaries