Difference between revisions of "Top Ten Books About Language"
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|title=How Language Works: How Babies Babble, Words Change Meaning and Languages Live or Die | |title=How Language Works: How Babies Babble, Words Change Meaning and Languages Live or Die | ||
|author=David Crystal | |author=David Crystal | ||
|rating=4 | |rating=4 | ||
|summary=Concise and erudite introduction to the study of language covering all basic aspects of language mechanics. Despite devoting slightly too much space to world's variety of language and foreign language learning, it would still be good as a first book on linguistics and a basic family reference tool. It is particularly good at showing how language works externally but it covers the all internal mechanics of language too. | |summary=Concise and erudite introduction to the study of language covering all basic aspects of language mechanics. Despite devoting slightly too much space to world's variety of language and foreign language learning, it would still be good as a first book on linguistics and a basic family reference tool. It is particularly good at showing how language works externally but it covers the all internal mechanics of language too. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=0141015527 |
| + | |genre=Popular Science | ||
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| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|title=The Language Instinct: The New Science of Language and Mind | |title=The Language Instinct: The New Science of Language and Mind | ||
|author=Steven Pinker | |author=Steven Pinker | ||
|rating=5 | |rating=5 | ||
|summary=This book concerns language in general rather than any specific languages and it describes mechanics of language as well as making an extremely convincing, well presented and often entertaining argument in favour of the innate character of spoken language acquisition and development. Can work as a good introduction to evolutionary psychology in general, too. Recommended for anybody interested in the mind science or language in general but do not expect advice on usage. | |summary=This book concerns language in general rather than any specific languages and it describes mechanics of language as well as making an extremely convincing, well presented and often entertaining argument in favour of the innate character of spoken language acquisition and development. Can work as a good introduction to evolutionary psychology in general, too. Recommended for anybody interested in the mind science or language in general but do not expect advice on usage. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=0140175296 |
| + | |genre=Popular Science | ||
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|title=Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain | |title=Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain | ||
|author=Maryanne Wolf | |author=Maryanne Wolf | ||
|rating=3.5 | |rating=3.5 | ||
|summary=A book about how and why we read, jam-packed with fascinating information from the developing of writing systems to the latest research on dyslexia. | |summary=A book about how and why we read, jam-packed with fascinating information from the developing of writing systems to the latest research on dyslexia. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=1848310307 |
| + | |genre=Popular Science | ||
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|title=Words and Pictures: Writers, Artists and a Peculiarly British Tradition | |title=Words and Pictures: Writers, Artists and a Peculiarly British Tradition | ||
|author=Jenny Uglow | |author=Jenny Uglow | ||
|rating=4 | |rating=4 | ||
|summary=Illustrations can play an important part in our experience of reading. This is a short, but well-written and informative account of the relationship between words and pictures in books in Britain in the 18th and 19th centuries, and is recommended. | |summary=Illustrations can play an important part in our experience of reading. This is a short, but well-written and informative account of the relationship between words and pictures in books in Britain in the 18th and 19th centuries, and is recommended. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=0571242502 |
| + | |genre=History | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|title=Toujours Tingo | |title=Toujours Tingo | ||
|author=Adam Jacot de Boinod | |author=Adam Jacot de Boinod | ||
|rating=4.5 | |rating=4.5 | ||
|summary=The second book of the oddest words from the world with their beguiling definitions, with added grammatical asides. More fun than it ever sounds like being. | |summary=The second book of the oddest words from the world with their beguiling definitions, with added grammatical asides. More fun than it ever sounds like being. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=0140515860 |
| + | |genre=Trivia | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|title=The Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window into Human Nature | |title=The Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window into Human Nature | ||
|author=Steven Pinker | |author=Steven Pinker | ||
|rating=5 | |rating=5 | ||
|summary=Energetic, passionate, intelligent and lively, Pinker is erudite but accessible, lucid and precise but never stifled, conversational and occasionally colloquial but never crude. Fittingly, this language scholar is also an excellent writer and Pinker carries this double mantle with aplomb occasionally bordering on chutzpah and plenty of style. Highly recommended. | |summary=Energetic, passionate, intelligent and lively, Pinker is erudite but accessible, lucid and precise but never stifled, conversational and occasionally colloquial but never crude. Fittingly, this language scholar is also an excellent writer and Pinker carries this double mantle with aplomb occasionally bordering on chutzpah and plenty of style. Highly recommended. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=0141015470 |
| + | |genre=Politics and Society | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|title=Tic-tac Teddy Bears and Teardrop Tattoos | |title=Tic-tac Teddy Bears and Teardrop Tattoos | ||
|author=Justin Scroggie | |author=Justin Scroggie | ||
|rating=4 | |rating=4 | ||
|summary=Four stars – code for a good book that has a few awkward elements but on the whole provides a very good and authoritative look at a world of hidden messages and coded communications. | |summary=Four stars – code for a good book that has a few awkward elements but on the whole provides a very good and authoritative look at a world of hidden messages and coded communications. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=0340976489 |
| + | |genre=Trivia | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|title=A Kick In The Head: An Everyday Guide To Poetic Forms | |title=A Kick In The Head: An Everyday Guide To Poetic Forms | ||
|author=Paul B Janeczko and Chris Raschka | |author=Paul B Janeczko and Chris Raschka | ||
|rating=5 | |rating=5 | ||
|summary=An introduction to poetry for children. What could have been worthy but dull is actually fun, vibrant, fascinating, eye-opening, and just the sort of book that every parent will love reading with their children. Kids will soak it up like a sponge, fostering a real understanding and appreciation of poetry. Highly recommended. | |summary=An introduction to poetry for children. What could have been worthy but dull is actually fun, vibrant, fascinating, eye-opening, and just the sort of book that every parent will love reading with their children. Kids will soak it up like a sponge, fostering a real understanding and appreciation of poetry. Highly recommended. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=Janeczko_Kick |
| + | |genre=Children's Rhymes and Verse | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|title=Eats, Shoots & Leaves: Why, Commas Really Do Make a Difference! | |title=Eats, Shoots & Leaves: Why, Commas Really Do Make a Difference! | ||
|author=Lynne Truss | |author=Lynne Truss | ||
|rating=4 | |rating=4 | ||
|summary=Perfect for the home educator, the parent whose child struggles with punctuation or anyone's Christmas stocking, this little book about the importance of the comma is both educational and funny. More pages and the inclusion of some lessons about the apostrophe would have given a little bit more value. | |summary=Perfect for the home educator, the parent whose child struggles with punctuation or anyone's Christmas stocking, this little book about the importance of the comma is both educational and funny. More pages and the inclusion of some lessons about the apostrophe would have given a little bit more value. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=1861978162 |
| + | |genre=Children's Non-Fiction | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|title=Seeing Spells Achieving | |title=Seeing Spells Achieving | ||
|author=Olive Hickmott and Andrew Bendefy | |author=Olive Hickmott and Andrew Bendefy | ||
|rating=4.5 | |rating=4.5 | ||
|summary=A simple method aimed at overcoming the disadvantages of dyslexic symptoms, delivered in a user-friendly book. Highly recommended. | |summary=A simple method aimed at overcoming the disadvantages of dyslexic symptoms, delivered in a user-friendly book. Highly recommended. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=1904312209 |
| + | |genre=Home and Family | ||
}} | }} | ||
Latest revision as of 10:27, 1 February 2024
To paraphrase one of our reviewers, books are Bookbag's business and Bookbag's love, and books are made of words. Words, among other things, make language. Language is one of the things that make us human. This is a mixed-bag top 10 of books that deal with language, with words, with communication of meaning that goes beyond language, and with our favourite variety of language: the one that makes books. Why not tell us about your favourites?
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Review ofHow Language Works: How Babies Babble, Words Change Meaning and Languages Live or Die by David CrystalConcise and erudite introduction to the study of language covering all basic aspects of language mechanics. Despite devoting slightly too much space to world's variety of language and foreign language learning, it would still be good as a first book on linguistics and a basic family reference tool. It is particularly good at showing how language works externally but it covers the all internal mechanics of language too. Full Review |
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|
Review ofThe Language Instinct: The New Science of Language and Mind by Steven PinkerThis book concerns language in general rather than any specific languages and it describes mechanics of language as well as making an extremely convincing, well presented and often entertaining argument in favour of the innate character of spoken language acquisition and development. Can work as a good introduction to evolutionary psychology in general, too. Recommended for anybody interested in the mind science or language in general but do not expect advice on usage. Full Review |
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Review ofProust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain by Maryanne WolfA book about how and why we read, jam-packed with fascinating information from the developing of writing systems to the latest research on dyslexia. Full Review |
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Review ofWords and Pictures: Writers, Artists and a Peculiarly British Tradition by Jenny UglowIllustrations can play an important part in our experience of reading. This is a short, but well-written and informative account of the relationship between words and pictures in books in Britain in the 18th and 19th centuries, and is recommended. Full Review |
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Review ofToujours Tingo by Adam Jacot de BoinodThe second book of the oddest words from the world with their beguiling definitions, with added grammatical asides. More fun than it ever sounds like being. Full Review |
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Review ofThe Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window into Human Nature by Steven PinkerEnergetic, passionate, intelligent and lively, Pinker is erudite but accessible, lucid and precise but never stifled, conversational and occasionally colloquial but never crude. Fittingly, this language scholar is also an excellent writer and Pinker carries this double mantle with aplomb occasionally bordering on chutzpah and plenty of style. Highly recommended. Full Review |
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Review ofTic-tac Teddy Bears and Teardrop Tattoos by Justin ScroggieFour stars – code for a good book that has a few awkward elements but on the whole provides a very good and authoritative look at a world of hidden messages and coded communications. Full Review |
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Review ofA Kick In The Head: An Everyday Guide To Poetic Forms by Paul B Janeczko and Chris RaschkaAn introduction to poetry for children. What could have been worthy but dull is actually fun, vibrant, fascinating, eye-opening, and just the sort of book that every parent will love reading with their children. Kids will soak it up like a sponge, fostering a real understanding and appreciation of poetry. Highly recommended. Full Review |
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Review ofEats, Shoots & Leaves: Why, Commas Really Do Make a Difference! by Lynne TrussPerfect for the home educator, the parent whose child struggles with punctuation or anyone's Christmas stocking, this little book about the importance of the comma is both educational and funny. More pages and the inclusion of some lessons about the apostrophe would have given a little bit more value. Full Review |
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Review ofSeeing Spells Achieving by Olive Hickmott and Andrew BendefyA simple method aimed at overcoming the disadvantages of dyslexic symptoms, delivered in a user-friendly book. Highly recommended. Full Review |
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