The Origin of Language: Tracing the Evolution of the Mother Tongue Book + PRICE WATCH * Amazon pricing is not included in price watch

The Origin of Language: Tracing the Evolution of the Mother Tongue Book

As a sophomore in college, I desperately wanted to major in theoretical linguistics, but I knew only three languages, and I was advised that this was insufficient for the major. Things might have been different if this book were available then: unlike most books about language evolution, Ruhlen's Origin of Language actually gets you involved in applying standard linguistic techniques to carefully chosen examples--by the end of the book, you will have constructed a family tree of the world's languages. And you needn't know any other than your mother tongue when you start, but you'll probably want to go out and learn several more languages by time you are done. Recommended.Read More

from£17.53 | RRP: £12.99
* Excludes Voucher Code Discount Also available Used from £11.57
  • Product Description

    The Origin of Language

    A critically acclaimed journey back through time in search of the Mother Tongue and the roots of the human family

    "Invites the reader to learn and apply the common process used by linguists." —Science News

    "This book represents exactly the kind of thinking that is needed to pull historical linguistics out of its twentieth-century doldrums. . . . [W]ithout a doubt, a very readable book, well adapted to its popularizing aim." —LOS Forum

    "Believing that doing is learning, Ruhlen encourages his readers to try their hand (and eye) at classifying languages. This exercise helps us appreciate the challenges inherent in this fascinating and controversial science of comparative linguistics." —Booklist

    "Ruhlen is a leader in the new attempt to write the unified theory of language development and diffusion." —Library Journal

    "A powerful statement [and] also a wonderfully clear exposition of linguistic thinking about prehistory. . . . [Q]uite solid and very well presented." —Anthropological Science

  • 0471159638
  • 9780471159636
  • Merritt Ruhlen
  • 1 August 1996
  • John Wiley & Sons Inc
  • Paperback (Book)
  • 239
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. If you click through any of the links below and make a purchase we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Click here to learn more.

Would you like your name to appear with the review?

We will post your book review within a day or so as long as it meets our guidelines and terms and conditions. All reviews submitted become the licensed property of www.find-book.co.uk as written in our terms and conditions. None of your personal details will be passed on to any other third party.

All form fields are required.