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Synopsis
How does a language come into being and when does it disappear? What actually happened to Latin? When was English created? Will all people on Earth speak English or Chinese in 200 years? These are a few of the fascinating questions discussed in A Short History of Languages. It is about how historical conditions shape languages and how languages influence the course of history.
The book starts with a discussion of the period of hunters and gatherers, when there was a huge number of languages. It moves on to Greek and Latin, to French and Italian, and naturally a full discussion of English. Many other languages are treated, from Setswana in southern Africa to the Creole language of Nevis in the West Indies. Hanson presents languages and cultures in a lively way, with concrete examples and, often, small samples from literary works. Although no knowledge of foreign languages is required, the book provides astonishing insights into many cultures and their languages. At the same time, it identifies long terms trends in history that may allow us to make predictions about the future.
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About the Author
Tore Janson recently retired as Professor of African Languages at Göteberg University in Sweden. He has held various teaching posts and research posts around the work, including the University of California, Los Angeles, and has published numerous books and articles on topics in language and linguistics.
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Speak: A Short History of Languages
Published by
Oxford University Press, 2002
ISBN 10: 0198299788
ISBN 13: 9780198299783
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Speak: A Short History of Languages
Published by
Oxford University Press, 2002
ISBN 10: 0198299788
ISBN 13: 9780198299783
Used
Hardcover
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Speak : A Short History of Languages
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Oxford University Press, Incorporated, 2002
ISBN 10: 0198299788
ISBN 13: 9780198299783
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Speak: A Short History of Languages
Published by
Oxford University Press, 2002
ISBN 10: 0198299788
ISBN 13: 9780198299783
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Speak: A Short History of Languages
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Speak: A Short History of Languages
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Oxford University Press, United Kingdom, Oxford, 2002
ISBN 10: 0198299788
ISBN 13: 9780198299783
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Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
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Paperback. Condition: Very Good. This book is a history of human speech from prehistory to the present. It charts the rise of some languages and the fall of others, explaining why some survive and others die. It shows how languages change their sounds and meanings, and how the history of languages is closely linked to the history of peoples. Writing in a lively, readable style, distinguished Swedish scholar Tore Janson makes no assumptions about previous knowledge. He takes the reader on a voyage of exploration through the changing patterns of the world's languages, from ancient China to ancient Egypt, imperial Rome to imperial Britain, Sappho's Lesbos to contemporary Africa. He discovers the links between the histories of societies and their languages; he shows how language evolved from primitive calls; he considers the question of whether one language can be more advanced than another. The author describes the history of writing and looks at the impact of changing technology. He ends by assessing the prospects for English world domination and predicting the languages of the distant future. Five historical maps illustrate this fascinating history of our defining characteristic and most valuable asset. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR001377995
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Speak : A Short History of Languages
Published by
Oxford University Press, Incorporated, 2002
ISBN 10: 0198299788
ISBN 13: 9780198299783
Used
Hardcover
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Speak: A Short History of Languages
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Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. . Seller Inventory # 7719-9780198299783
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Speak: A Short History of Languages
Published by
Oxford University Press, 2002
ISBN 10: 0198299788
ISBN 13: 9780198299783
Used
Hardcover
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Condition: very good. Gut/Very good: Buch bzw. Schutzumschlag mit wenigen Gebrauchsspuren an Einband, Schutzumschlag oder Seiten. / Describes a book or dust jacket that does show some signs of wear on either the binding, dust jacket or pages. Seller Inventory # M00198299788-V
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