
Language: The Big Picture
The Big Picture
Peter Sharpe(Author)
Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd.
Published on 11. December 2008
Book
Paperback/Softback
272 pages
978-0-8264-9815-1 (ISBN)
Description
We use language everyday in every aspect of our lives, whether at school, work, or home, with friends, colleagues or family. The ability to use language is so important that it defines what makes us human. Yet what is language? And how does it work? In this introduction to language, Peter Sharpe answers a series of questions about language to show its inner workings. Drawing on expertise from many disciplines, he examines the origins of language, how language produces meaning, the variation of language across cultures, how language is used in society, and whether or not there is a "correct" way to use language. Discussion questions at the end of each chapter, and signposts for further reading make this the essential introduction to language for inquisitive readers and undergraduates.
Reviews / Votes
"Language: The Big Picture is an ambitious work, ranging over vast territory in just over 250 pages. As such, it demands close attention even on the part of the professional language scholar." Charles de Wolf.More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 140 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
344 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8264-9815-1 (9780826498151)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Peter Sharpe
Language: The Big Picture
E-Book
12/2008
1st Edition
Continuum Publishing Corporation
€25.49
Available for download
Person
Peter Sharpe is Professor in the Department of English at Takushoku University, Japan.
Content
Introduction; 1. What are the origins of language?; 2. Is language exclusive to humans?; 3. Why do languages change?; 4. How does language vary across cultures?; 5. Where does Noam Chomsky fit into linguistics?; 6. How scientific can linguistic theory be?; 7. What makes semantics difficult?; 8. The power of symbols?; 9. How is language represented in the mind?; Bibliography; Index.