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The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language [Paperback]

David Crystal (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)

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The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language
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Book Description

Publication Date: Feb 13 1997 | ISBN-10: 0521559677 | ISBN-13: 978-0521559676 | Edition: 2
This Second Edition of The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language presents a mass of new information and introduces the subject of language to a fresh generation of students and general readers. Probably the most successful general study of language ever published, The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language covers all the major themes of language study, including popular ideas about language, language and identity, the structure of language, speaking and listening, writing, reading, and signing, language acquisition, the neurological basis of language, and languages of the world. Exposing this work to a new generation of readers, the Second Edition extends the range of coverage to include advances in areas such as machine translation, speech interaction with machines, and language teaching. There is new material on acoustics, physiological concepts of language, and World English, and a complete update of the language distribution maps, language-speaking statistics, table of the world's languages, and further reading. All geopolitical material has been revised to take account of boundary changes. The book has been redesigned and is presented for the first time in full color, with new pictures and maps added.

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From Amazon

In the late 1980s David Crystal wrote his testament to human language, celebrating the world's diversity and reveling in the beauty and complexity of expression. But even great references need the occasional overhaul. Crystal's new edition takes into account the linguistic changes wrought in the decade since the original's inception. With the introduction of new topics (conversational misunderstandings, for example), a more pleasing typeface, and full-color pictures, the tour de force that was his first edition has been upgraded to a new level of quality. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

This is a collection of concise and readable essays on the many subfields of linguistics, ranging from the invention of the alphabet to the Kurzweil Reading Machine and covering both theoretical and applied approaches to the subject. Numerous illustrations and charts make the text more vivid, and a glossary, a table of the world's languages, and several indexes make it eminently usable. Respected British linguist Crystal has done an admirable job of condensing information from many specialized fields into a form that will be intelligible to lay readers as well as linguists. Useful for public as well as academic libraries. Catherine V. von Schon, SUNY at Stony Brook Lib.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
12 reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars
Most helpful customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars A good Encyclopedia of language May 1 2004
By Aslam Rasoolpuri
Format:Paperback
Indeed ,David Crystal is a great and famous linguist of this century .His books about language are very important for students and common readers .His book "What is linguistics "is a good book for students ,but this book is important and informative for all people with scholars .There are several useful mapes and tables which guide a reader to understand the different family of languages.

I am siraiki speaking person .It was natural for me to read about my language,but Crystal is not aware about Siraiki language .He wrote its very old name Lahnda .I hope he will correct it in next edition

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5.0 out of 5 stars EVERYTHING! Dec 16 2003
By R. Boshell
Format:Paperback
This book contains everything a linguist would ever want. David Crystal has brought together everything he knows about child language aquisition, journalese and a plethora of other topics which are too vast to mention. Definately worth every penny. There is hours of reading and learning to be done with this book, and each page brings new and interesting facts, even though the original book is over a decade old! the perfect gift for a loved linguist, a fact-finder of a friend and even has a use in the hands of the illiterate!
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5.0 out of 5 stars A Linguaphile's Delight Dec 4 2002
By F. Hamilton
Format:Paperback
_The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language_, Second Edition, by David Crystal is a linguaphile's delight. It provides a wealth of information to engage the mind indefinitely.

Instead of being organized alphabetically, as most encyclopedias are, _The Encyclopedia of Language_ is divided into eleven parts that comprise sixty-five thematic sections. Each section includes a comprehensive discussion of the theme, enhanced by sidebars and colorful visuals. Sections range in length from two to twenty pages, making the chunks of information small enough to be palatable yet large enough to be satisfying.

Topics addressed include language and thought, the structure of language, the anatomy and physiology of speech, written language, language acquisition, languages of the world, language disabilities, and language change. Obviously, this is only a sample. In addition, the book has eight appendices, including an extensive glossary and a table giving information about nearly 1,000 of the world's languages.

While many of Crystal's topics have their technical aspects, the author keeps his tone conversational and his information accessible to the lay reader. In this way he celebrates the existence of human language and deepens our appreciation of it.

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Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars For Writers, Researchers, And The Intellectually Curious
According to the author, this book operates on two levels. First it addresses the kind of interest in language history and behaviour that we encounter daily (for instance: a young... Read more
Published on Feb 8 2001 by Loren D. Morrison
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic reference of linguistics and languages
I have always found linguistics to be a fascinating subject, but my encounters with the majority of textbooks on this subject have made for rather dry reading. Read more
Published on May 26 2000 by Jeffrey L. Guthery
5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining AND illuminating!
If I were to describe this volume as a coffee table book on linguistics, you'd be forgiven for thinking that it would be hard to imagine something less inviting. Read more
Published on May 8 2000 by Michael J. Edelman
5.0 out of 5 stars lovely for general reference and browsing
This isn't Everything You Need to Know to Become a Linguist. But it *is* a good reference book for people who aren't linguists and would like to see what the field is about. Read more
Published on Jan 23 2000 by Yoon Ha Lee
5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Beginner's Book on Linguistics & Languages
Great examples, photos, illustrations not to mention a wealth of information on various aspects of language study. Worth every penny!
Published on Jan 17 2000 by Scott G. Shelp
5.0 out of 5 stars Ooooops!
I blew it... I don't know how my earlier review of this book wound up with only two stars - I intended to give it FIVE stars, as I hope will be obvious to anyone who reads the... Read more
Published on Jan 9 2000 by .
2.0 out of 5 stars Better than a warm bath for a linguaphile!
This is a "twofer" review - everything I say about this book also applies to Crystal's "Encyclopedia of the English Language. Read more
Published on Jan 5 2000 by .
5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Overview of Linguistics
While it doesn't cover any particular subject with too much depth, this book provides a wonderful introduction to many aspects of linguistics, including sociolinguistics,... Read more
Published on Oct 31 1999 by Zach May
5.0 out of 5 stars A serious introduction to linguistics and languages
If you are interested in language you should have this book. It's very informative, it's divided into different chapters with approaching to language from several points of view. Read more
Published on Jan 15 1999 by Paco Bellido (fjbellido@arrakis.es)
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