David Crystal, world authority on the English language, has written a timely and informative account of the phenomenon of English as a global language. It includes a historical summary of the global development of English; an analysis, well supported by facts and figures, of the current spread and status of English as a first and second language internationally; and an informed assessment - by one of the leading scholars of and general writers about language matters - of the future of English. The book asks three basic questions: what makes a world language? why is English the leading ...
La muerte de las lenguas es real. ¿Importa?, ¿debería importarnos? Este libro sostiene que sí importa y que debería importarnos. El objetivo es establecer los hechos y, después, explicarlos: ¿qué es exactamente la muerte de una lengua?, ¿que lenguas estan muriendose?, ¿por que se mueren las lenguas? y ¿por que especialmente ahora? La necesidad de informacion acerca de la perdida de la lengua es urgente.
The New Penguin Concise Encyclopedia is an abridged edition of the bestselling New Penguin Encyclopedia. With over 21,000 entries, and nearly one million words, it is an invaluable and up-to-date source of information on subjects as diverse as current affairs and history, science and philosophy, sport and music, written in a clear direct style that illuminates even the most intricate concept.
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. Along the way we find out about eyebrow flashes, whistling languages, how parents teach their children to speak, how politeness travels across languages and how the way we talk show not just how old we are but where we're from and even who we want to be.
The one reference that every family and office needs, The Penguin Encylcopedia contains more than 28,000 entries on the facts, events, issues, people, beliefs, and achievements that make up the sum of human knowledge and experience. Written in a clear, direct style by an international team of more than 350 experts, this indispensable reference illuminates even the most intricate concepts, from current affairs to history, science to philosophy, sports to music. Timely entries include SARS, Ozzie Osbourne and John Kerry, Hans Blix, the Iraq War and weapons of mass destruction. With a clear and easy-to-use design, The Penguin Encyclopedia assures that everything you need to know is right at your fingertips.
The rapid endangerment and death of many minority languages across the world is a matter of widespread concern, not only among linguists and anthropologists but among all concerned with issues of cultural identity in an increasingly globalized culture. By some counts, only 600 of the 6,000 or so languages in the world are safe from the threat of extinction. A leading commentator and popular writer on language issues, David Crystal asks the fundamental question, Why is language death so important?, reviews the reasons for the current crisis, and investigates what is being done to reduce its impact. The book contains not only intelligent argument, but moving descriptions of the decline and demise of particular languages, and practical advice for anyone interested in pursuing the subject further.
Have you been flamed recently? Or pinged? Or felt 404? Do you know the difference between a MUD and a MOO? Or between a WAP and a WISP? Can you translate 8-o ? Or cu4T? Do you know what your country's domain name is? This exciting glossary provides all the answers. It includes an A to Z of the jargon entering the English language with the rise of the Internet and mobile phone technology, and it gives a dictionary-style treatment of those Internet terms which have begun to change their meaning in colloquial speech. Alongside a definition, each of these entries contains a set of illustrations showing contemporary usage, helping you to understand and - if you wish - actively participate in the cool communication of the electronic age. A Glossary of Netspeak and Textspeak also contains a comprehensive guide to the special languages that have developed within electronic media - smileys and text messaging - and a complete listing of Internet domain names. Features: * The first glossary of Internet and mobile phone terminology * Includes numerous examples of real usage * Written by a leading expert on language and linguistics * Contains comprehensive lists of special symbols.This book is a must-have for anyone wanting to keep pace with the revolutionary trends in English usage going on around them :-)
