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Words and Rules

The Ingredients Of Language

by Steven Pinker ...

**An "excellent work of popular science" (New Republic) by a New York Times-bestselling author that unites history and science to reveal how the mind does languageIn Words and Rules, Steven Pinker explores profound mysteries of language by picking a deceptively simple phenomenon -- regular and irregular verbs -- and examining it from every angle. With humor and verve, he covers an astonishing ... Read more

Was $12.99 USD Now $1.99 USD

**An "excellent work of popular science" (New Republic) by a New York Times-bestselling author that unites history and science to reveal how the mind does languageIn Words and Rules, Steven Pinker explores profound mysteries of language by picking a deceptively simple phenomenon -- regular and irregular verbs -- and examining it from every angle. With humor and verve, he covers an astonishing
... Read more
How Language Works

How Babies Babble, Words Change Meaning, and Languages Live or Die

by David Crystal ...

Steven Pinker meets Bill Bryson in this landmark exploration of language.In the author's own words, "How Language Works is not about music, cookery, or sex. But it is about how we talk about music, cookery, and sex-or, indeed, anything at all." Language is so fundamental to everyday life that we take it for granted. But as David Crystal makes clear in this work of unprecedented scope, language is ... Read more

$1.99 USD

Steven Pinker meets Bill Bryson in this landmark exploration of language.In the author's own words, "How Language Works is not about music, cookery, or sex. But it is about how we talk about music, cookery, and sex-or, indeed, anything at all." Language is so fundamental to everyday life that we take it for granted. But as David Crystal makes clear in this work of unprecedented scope, language is
... Read more
How to Kill a Language

Power, Resistance, and the Race to Save Our Words

by Sophia Smith Galer ...

An urgent, globe-spanning exploration of languages at risk, from Kichwa to Ukrainian, that asks: What do we lose—culturally, politically, and personally—when a language is silenced?“Fascinating . . . Galer casts a bright light on the massive linguistic diversity that the world seems set to lose.”—John McWhorter, The New York TimesLanguages can be killed in many ways: war, the climate crisis, ... Read more

$13.99 USD

An urgent, globe-spanning exploration of languages at risk, from Kichwa to Ukrainian, that asks: What do we lose—culturally, politically, and personally—when a language is silenced?“Fascinating . . . Galer casts a bright light on the massive linguistic diversity that the world seems set to lose.”—John McWhorter, The New York TimesLanguages can be killed in many ways: war, the climate crisis,
... Read more
The Cambridge Handbook of Heritage Languages and Linguistics

Edited by Silvina Montrul, Maria Polinsky ...

Series series Cambridge Handbooks in Language and Linguistics
Heritage languages are minority languages learned in a bilingual environment. These include immigrant languages, aboriginal or indigenous languages and historical minority languages. In the last two decades, heritage languages have become central to many areas of linguistic research, from bilingual language acquisition, education and language policies, to theoretical linguistics. Bringing together ... Read more

$55.99 USD

Heritage languages are minority languages learned in a bilingual environment. These include immigrant languages, aboriginal or indigenous languages and historical minority languages. In the last two decades, heritage languages have become central to many areas of linguistic research, from bilingual language acquisition, education and language policies, to theoretical linguistics. Bringing together
... Read more
Complete Korean Beginner to Intermediate Course

eBook: New edition

by Jaehoon Yeon, Mark Vincent ...

Complete Korean is a comprehensive ebook language course that takes you from beginner to intermediate level.The new edition of this successful course has been fully revised and is packed with new learning features to give you the language, practice and skills to communicate with confidence.-Maps from A1 to B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for languages-Korean script (Hangul) ... Read more

$3.99 USD

Complete Korean is a comprehensive ebook language course that takes you from beginner to intermediate level.The new edition of this successful course has been fully revised and is packed with new learning features to give you the language, practice and skills to communicate with confidence.-Maps from A1 to B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for languages-Korean script (Hangul)
... Read more
Complete Polish Beginner to Intermediate Course

EBook: New edition

by Nigel Gotteri, Joanna Michalak-Gray, Joanna Mickalak-Gray ...

Are you looking for a complete course in Polish which takes you effortlessly from beginner to confident speaker? Whether you are starting from scratch, or are just out of practice, Complete Polish will guarantee success!Now fully updated to make your language learning experience fun and interactive. You can still rely on the benefits of a top language teacher and our years of teaching experience, ... Read more

$1.99 USD

Are you looking for a complete course in Polish which takes you effortlessly from beginner to confident speaker? Whether you are starting from scratch, or are just out of practice, Complete Polish will guarantee success!Now fully updated to make your language learning experience fun and interactive. You can still rely on the benefits of a top language teacher and our years of teaching experience,
... Read more
Language Myths

by Laurie Bauer ...

A unique collection of original essays by 21 of the world's leading linguists. The topics discussed focus on some of the most popular myths about language: The Media Are Ruining English; Children Can't Speak or Write Properly Anymore; America is Ruining the English Language. The tone is lively and entertaining throughout and there are cartoons from Doonesbury andThe Wizard of Id to illustrate some ... Read more

$11.99 USD

A unique collection of original essays by 21 of the world's leading linguists. The topics discussed focus on some of the most popular myths about language: The Media Are Ruining English; Children Can't Speak or Write Properly Anymore; America is Ruining the English Language. The tone is lively and entertaining throughout and there are cartoons from Doonesbury andThe Wizard of Id to illustrate some
... Read more
Algospeak

How Social Media Is Transforming the Future of Language

by Adam Aleksic ...

**NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From linguist Adam Aleksic, known as @etymologynerd on social media, comes a captivating exploration of how internet algorithms are transforming language and communication in unprecedented ways.“Packed with fascinating facts, of-the-moment observations, and a sparkling voice, Algospeak is a gift to any word nerd. Deftly covering everything from emoji etymologies and ... Read more

$13.99 USD

**NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From linguist Adam Aleksic, known as @etymologynerd on social media, comes a captivating exploration of how internet algorithms are transforming language and communication in unprecedented ways.“Packed with fascinating facts, of-the-moment observations, and a sparkling voice, Algospeak is a gift to any word nerd. Deftly covering everything from emoji etymologies and
... Read more
Linguistics

A Very Short Introduction

by P. H. Matthews ...

Series series Very Short Introductions
Linguistics falls in the gap between arts and science, on the edges of which the most fascinating discoveries and the most important problems are found. Rather than following the conventional organization of many contemporary introductions to the subject, the author of this stimulating guide begins his discussion with the oldest, 'arts' end of the subject and moves chronologically through to the ... Read more

$7.99 USD

Linguistics falls in the gap between arts and science, on the edges of which the most fascinating discoveries and the most important problems are found. Rather than following the conventional organization of many contemporary introductions to the subject, the author of this stimulating guide begins his discussion with the oldest, 'arts' end of the subject and moves chronologically through to the
... Read more
In the Name of the Wolven King

A Continued Onomastic Exploration of the Etymological Origins of the Wilkinson Surname (and Variants) from Denmark, Frisia, Pomerania and Saxony to England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales

by J.C. (Max) Wilkinson ...

This book provides new historical and ethno-linguistic evidence powerfully confirming the author’s provocative thesis, first presented in Forgotten Wolves of Wilkinaland (Archway, 2020), about the etymology of his family surname. A long hidden story, it is now revealed in the medieval Baltic region’s tense history between the Angles, Danes, Frisians, and Saxons and their sometime allies, sometime ... Read more

$10.99 USD

This book provides new historical and ethno-linguistic evidence powerfully confirming the author’s provocative thesis, first presented in Forgotten Wolves of Wilkinaland (Archway, 2020), about the etymology of his family surname. A long hidden story, it is now revealed in the medieval Baltic region’s tense history between the Angles, Danes, Frisians, and Saxons and their sometime allies, sometime
... Read more
Born to Kvetch

Yiddish Language and Culture in All Its Moods

by Michael Wex ...

" Wise, witty and altogether wonderful. . . . Mr. Wex has perfect pitch. He always finds the precise word, the most vivid metaphor, for his juicy Yiddishisms." —William Grimes, The New York TimesAs the main spoken language of the Jews for more than a thousand years, Yiddish has had plenty to lament, plenty to conceal. Its phrases, idioms, and expressions paint a comprehensive picture of the mind ... Read more

$12.99 USD

" Wise, witty and altogether wonderful. . . . Mr. Wex has perfect pitch. He always finds the precise word, the most vivid metaphor, for his juicy Yiddishisms." —William Grimes, The New York TimesAs the main spoken language of the Jews for more than a thousand years, Yiddish has had plenty to lament, plenty to conceal. Its phrases, idioms, and expressions paint a comprehensive picture of the mind
... Read more
Languages of the World

An Introduction

by Asya Pereltsvaig ...

Are you curious to know what all languages have in common and how they differ? Do you want to find out how language can be used to trace different peoples and their past? Now in its fourth edition, this fascinating book guides beginners through the rich diversity of the world's languages. It presupposes no background in linguistics, and introduces key concepts with the help of problem sets, end-of ... Read more

$39.99 USD

Are you curious to know what all languages have in common and how they differ? Do you want to find out how language can be used to trace different peoples and their past? Now in its fourth edition, this fascinating book guides beginners through the rich diversity of the world's languages. It presupposes no background in linguistics, and introduces key concepts with the help of problem sets, end-of
... Read more
《云龙白曲残本》文字整理与研究

by 韦韧 ...

方块白文是古代白族在长期使用汉语文的过程中，仿照汉字创制的一种民族文字，是一种既借用汉字又自造拼合字的意音文字。本书以目前已释读方块白文文献中自造拼合字数量最多的《云龙白曲残本》为基本研究材料，采用“结构-功能”分析法和现代系统论，利用Oracle Database数据库，运用语料库语言学知识，对研究材料《云龙白曲残本》进行数字化处理，并构建方块白文数据库系统，详细描写了方块白文的文字属性，细致分析、考释了《云龙白曲残本》中记录的每一个方块白文。 ... Read more

$21.99 USD or Free with Kobo Plus

方块白文是古代白族在长期使用汉语文的过程中，仿照汉字创制的一种民族文字，是一种既借用汉字又自造拼合字的意音文字。本书以目前已释读方块白文文献中自造拼合字数量最多的《云龙白曲残本》为基本研究材料，采用“结构-功能”分析法和现代系统论，利用Oracle Database数据库，运用语料库语言学知识，对研究材料《云龙白曲残本》进行数字化处理，并构建方块白文数据库系统，详细描写了方块白文的文字属性，细致分析、考释了《云龙白曲残本》中记录的每一个方块白文。
... Read more
Cultish

The Language of Fanaticism

by Amanda Montell ...

THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER“One of those life-changing reads that makes you see—or, in this case, hear—the whole world differently.” —Megan Angelo, author of Followers“At times chilling, often funny, and always perceptive and cogent, Cultish is a bracing reminder that the scariest thing about cults is that you don’t realize you’re in one till it’s too late.”—Refinery29.comThe New York Times ... Read more

$15.99 USD

THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER“One of those life-changing reads that makes you see—or, in this case, hear—the whole world differently.” —Megan Angelo, author of Followers“At times chilling, often funny, and always perceptive and cogent, Cultish is a bracing reminder that the scariest thing about cults is that you don’t realize you’re in one till it’s too late.”—Refinery29.comThe New York Times
... Read more
The Lexicographer's Dilemma

The Evolution of 'Proper' English, from Shakespeare to South Park

by Jack Lynch ...

In its long history, the English language has had many lawmakers--those who have tried to regulate or otherwise organize the way we speak. Proper Words in Proper Places offers the first narrative history of these endeavors and shows clearly that what we now regard as the only "correct" way to speak emerged out of specific historical and social conditions over the course of centuries. As historian ... Read more

$11.99 USD

In its long history, the English language has had many lawmakers--those who have tried to regulate or otherwise organize the way we speak. Proper Words in Proper Places offers the first narrative history of these endeavors and shows clearly that what we now regard as the only "correct" way to speak emerged out of specific historical and social conditions over the course of centuries. As historian
... Read more
The Social Origins of Language

by Robert Seyfarth, Dorothy Cheney ...

Series series Duke Institute for Brain Sciences Series
How human language evolved from the need for social communicationThe origins of human language remain hotly debated. Despite growing appreciation of cognitive and neural continuity between humans and other animals, an evolutionary account of human language—in its modern form—remains as elusive as ever. The Social Origins of Language provides a novel perspective on this question and charts a new ... Read more

$31.69 USD

How human language evolved from the need for social communicationThe origins of human language remain hotly debated. Despite growing appreciation of cognitive and neural continuity between humans and other animals, an evolutionary account of human language—in its modern form—remains as elusive as ever. The Social Origins of Language provides a novel perspective on this question and charts a new
... Read more
Consequences of Language

From Primary to Enhanced Intersubjectivity

by N. J. Enfield, Jack Sidnell ...

What is it about humans that makes language possible, and what is it about language that makes us human?If you are reading this, you have done something that only our species has evolved to do. You have acquired a natural language. This book asks, How has this changed us?Where scholars have long wondered what it is about humans that makes language possible, N. J. Enfield and Jack Sidnell ask ... Read more

$31.99 USD

What is it about humans that makes language possible, and what is it about language that makes us human?If you are reading this, you have done something that only our species has evolved to do. You have acquired a natural language. This book asks, How has this changed us?Where scholars have long wondered what it is about humans that makes language possible, N. J. Enfield and Jack Sidnell ask
... Read more
The Concept of Action

by N. J. Enfield, Jack Sidnell ...

Series series New Departures in Anthropology
When people do things with words, how do we know what they are doing? Many scholars have assumed a category of things called actions: 'requests', 'proposals', 'complaints', 'excuses'. The idea is both convenient and intuitive, but as this book argues, it is a spurious concept of action. In interaction, a person's primary task is to decide how to respond, not to label what someone just did. The ... Read more

$30.99 USD

When people do things with words, how do we know what they are doing? Many scholars have assumed a category of things called actions: 'requests', 'proposals', 'complaints', 'excuses'. The idea is both convenient and intuitive, but as this book argues, it is a spurious concept of action. In interaction, a person's primary task is to decide how to respond, not to label what someone just did. The
... Read more
What the F

What Swearing Reveals About Our Language, Our Brains, and Ourselves

by Benjamin K. Bergen ...

It may be starred, beeped, and censored -- yet profanity is so appealing that we can't stop using it. In the funniest, clearest study to date, Benjamin Bergen explains why, and what that tells us about our language and brains.Nearly everyone swears-whether it's over a few too many drinks, in reaction to a stubbed toe, or in flagrante delicto. And yet, we sit idly by as words are banned from ... Read more

Was $10.99 USD Now $1.99 USD

It may be starred, beeped, and censored -- yet profanity is so appealing that we can't stop using it. In the funniest, clearest study to date, Benjamin Bergen explains why, and what that tells us about our language and brains.Nearly everyone swears-whether it's over a few too many drinks, in reaction to a stubbed toe, or in flagrante delicto. And yet, we sit idly by as words are banned from
... Read more
The Origin of Language

How We Learned to Speak and Why

by Madeleine Beekman ...

In a radical new story about the birth of our species, The Origin of Language argues that it was not hunting, fighting, or tool-making that forced early humans to speak, but the inescapable need to care for our children.Journeying to the dawn of Homo sapiens, evolutionary biologist Madeleine Beekman reveals the “happy accidents” hidden in our molecular biology—DNA, chromosomes, and proteins—that ... Read more

$14.99 USD

In a radical new story about the birth of our species, The Origin of Language argues that it was not hunting, fighting, or tool-making that forced early humans to speak, but the inescapable need to care for our children.Journeying to the dawn of Homo sapiens, evolutionary biologist Madeleine Beekman reveals the “happy accidents” hidden in our molecular biology—DNA, chromosomes, and proteins—that
... Read more
Fluent Forever (Revised Edition)

How to Learn Any Language Fast and Never Forget It

by Gabriel Wyner ...

The bestselling guide to learning a new language and remembering what you learned, now revised and updated“A brilliant and thoroughly modern guide . . . If you want a new language to stick, start here.”—Gary Marcus, cognitive psychologist and author of the New York Times bestseller Guitar ZeroGabriel Wyner speaks seven foreign languages fluently. He didn’t learn them in school—who does? Rather, he ... Read more

$12.99 USD

The bestselling guide to learning a new language and remembering what you learned, now revised and updated“A brilliant and thoroughly modern guide . . . If you want a new language to stick, start here.”—Gary Marcus, cognitive psychologist and author of the New York Times bestseller Guitar ZeroGabriel Wyner speaks seven foreign languages fluently. He didn’t learn them in school—who does? Rather, he
... Read more
Short Stories in Spanish for Beginners

Read for pleasure at your level, expand your vocabulary and learn Spanish the fun way!

by Olly Richards ...

Series series Readers
An unmissable collection of eight unconventional and captivating short stories for young and adult learners."I love Olly's work - and you will too!" - Barbara Oakley, PhD, Author of New York Times bestseller A Mind for NumbersShort Stories in Spanish for Beginners has been written especially for students from beginner to intermediate level, designed to give a sense of achievement, and most ... Read more

$6.99 USD

An unmissable collection of eight unconventional and captivating short stories for young and adult learners."I love Olly's work - and you will too!" - Barbara Oakley, PhD, Author of New York Times bestseller A Mind for NumbersShort Stories in Spanish for Beginners has been written especially for students from beginner to intermediate level, designed to give a sense of achievement, and most
... Read more
Articulate

A Deaf Memoir of Voice

by Rachel Kolb ...

Named a best book of the year by Kirkus Reviews Named a Notable Book of 2025 by the Washington Post A deaf writer’s exploration of language, communication, and what it means to be articulate—and her journey to reclaim her voiceRachel Kolb was born profoundly deaf the same year that the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed, and she grew up as part of the first generation of deaf people with ... Read more

Was $12.99 USD Now $10.99 USD

Named a best book of the year by Kirkus Reviews Named a Notable Book of 2025 by the Washington Post A deaf writer’s exploration of language, communication, and what it means to be articulate—and her journey to reclaim her voiceRachel Kolb was born profoundly deaf the same year that the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed, and she grew up as part of the first generation of deaf people with
... Read more
Complete Indonesian Beginner to Intermediate Course

Learn to read, write, speak and understad a new language with Teach Yourself

by Christopher Byrnes, Eva Nyimas, Eva Njmas ...

Are you looking for a complete course in Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia) which takes you effortlessly from beginner to confident speaker? Whether you are starting from scratch, or are just out of practice, Complete Indonesian will guarantee success!Fully updated to make your language learning experience fun and interactive, with complete online audio support. You can still rely on the benefits of a ... Read more

$4.99 USD

Are you looking for a complete course in Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia) which takes you effortlessly from beginner to confident speaker? Whether you are starting from scratch, or are just out of practice, Complete Indonesian will guarantee success!Fully updated to make your language learning experience fun and interactive, with complete online audio support. You can still rely on the benefits of a
... Read more

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