Speak : a short history of languages / Tore Janson.
"Speak is a life history of humankind's defining characteristic and most valuable asset." "Distinguished Swedish scholar Tore Janson takes the reader on a voyage of exploration through the changing patterns of the world's languages, from prehistory to the first civilizations...
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| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Oxford ; New York :
Oxford University Press,
2002.
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| Summary: | "Speak is a life history of humankind's defining characteristic and most valuable asset." "Distinguished Swedish scholar Tore Janson takes the reader on a voyage of exploration through the changing patterns of the world's languages, from prehistory to the first civilizations, ancient Egypt to ancient China, imperial Rome to imperial Britain, Sappho's Lesbos to contemporary Africa. He shows how language evolved from primitive calls, and discovers the links between the histories of societies and their languages."--BOOK JACKET. |
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| Physical Description: | 301 pages : maps ; 18 cm |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references (pages 283-290) and index. |
| ISBN: | 0198299788 9780198299783 |