The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language

The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language – David Crystal

How many languages are there in the world? How do children learn to speak? How did writing begin? Why do languages change, and what happens when they die?

The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language, by David Crystal, one of the world’s leading authorities on language, offers a comprehensive and engaging guide to the full range of human language. Richly illustrated with maps, diagrams, photographs and tables, it explores language from every angle, making the study of linguistics accessible and fascinating for general readers as well as students.

The encyclopedia covers popular ideas about language, the relationship between language and identity, the structure of language, including sounds, grammar and meaning, and the many ways language is used in speech, writing and sign. It examines how children acquire language, how people learn additional languages, the workings of the brain in language processing and the nature of language disorders. It also surveys the languages of the world and their families, the history and evolution of language, multilingualism, language and society, and the role of language in communication technology.

Each topic is presented in clear, self-contained spreads that can be read independently, inviting readers to browse and explore.

Authoritative, wide-ranging and beautifully presented, The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language is an invaluable reference for students of linguistics, teachers, translators, writers and anyone with a curiosity about the remarkable phenomenon of human language.