{"product_id":"9780099460251-the-unfolding-of-language","title":"The Unfolding Of Language","description":"\u003cmeta content=\"text\/html; charset=utf-8\" http-equiv=\"Content-Type\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePresents an investigation into the evolution of language. This book exposes the elusive forces of creation at work in human communication. Along the way, it teaches why German maidens are neuter while German turnips are female, why we have feet not foots, and how great changes of pronunciation may result from simple laziness.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e'A \u003cb\u003epersuasive and beautifully\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cb\u003ewritten \u003c\/b\u003etake on how languages are constantly evolving. \u003cb\u003ean enthralling read \u003c\/b\u003eabout human psychology and anthropology as well as linguistics.' \u003cb\u003eALEX BELLOS\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e___________________________________\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'\u003cb\u003eLanguage is mankind's greatest invention - except of course, that it was never invented\u003c\/b\u003e'. So begins Guy Deutscher's fascinating investigation into the evolution of language. No one believes that the Roman Senate sat down one day to design the complex system that is Latin grammar, and few believe, these days, in the literal truth of the story of the Tower of Babel. But then \u003cb\u003ehow did there come to be so many languages, and of such elaborate design?\u003c\/b\u003e If we started off with rudimentary utterances on the level of 'man throw spear', how did we end up with sophisticated grammars, enormous vocabularies, and intricately nuanced shades of meaning?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDrawing on recent, groundbreaking discoveries\u003c\/b\u003e in modern linguistics, Deutscher exposes the elusive forces of creation at work in human communication. Along the way, we learn why German maidens are neuter while German turnips are female, why we have feet not foots, and how great changes in pronunciation may result from simple laziness.\u003cbr\u003e_____________________\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Powerful and thrilling' \u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eSPECTATOR\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Really ought to be read by anyone who persists in complaining that the English language is going to the dogs' \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eSUNDAY TELEGRAPH\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'I was enthralled' A.S. Byatt, for \u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eGUARDIAN \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003e'Books of the Year'\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Highly original. clever and convincing. this book will stretch your mind' \u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eINDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Fascinating' \u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eBOSTON GLOBE\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rarewaves","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40943164031073,"sku":"9780099460251","price":9.26,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0092\/7504\/8033\/files\/orig_32329065.jpg?v=1737185865","url":"https:\/\/www.rarewaves.com\/products\/9780099460251-the-unfolding-of-language","provider":"Rarewaves.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}