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145 ratings, 4.08 average rating, 25 reviews
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published
January 2003
by Harper Perennial
binding
Paperback, 352 pages
isbn
006052085X
(isbn13: 9780060520854)
description
There are approximately six thousand languages on Earth today, each a descendant of the tongue first spoken by Homo sapiens some 150,000 years ago....more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 258)
So far this book has been alright.. it has a lot of details. Some good information if you are looking to understand why language has changed and developed throughout history. Reading this book has made me think that I really need to learn another language. -Not only to gain a new perspective and understand another culture more deeply, but also to understand English more.. As many of our words have been shared from other languages. It also has made me think about my students perspective and I hav...more
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Read in July, 2008
An interesting introduction to linguisitc history and theory. It's not a chronological history of langauage, but a introduction to language history in order to understand basic language theory and concepts. Any pop book on a technical subject, like this one, should combine interesting information with an interesting presentation, full of sharp writing and good examples. The Power of Babel delviers here, with very interesting and informative sections; and Mr. McWhorter writes technical topics ...more
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Read in May, 2008
recommended to Torie by:
Catherine Cohen
This extremely fascinating book about the evolution of language is incredibly absorbing and a pleasure to read. I like John McWhorter's assertions that language must, of necessity, constantly evolve, shape-shift, and customize itself for its various usages. This quote isn't from Power of Babel, but the author of another book on language quotes McWhorter explaining why "they" and "their" should be acceptable as singular pronouns as well as plural, despite enforced rules of gra...more
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The best book on linguistics I have ever read. It takes language and treats it as a living thing, tracing it's roots and showing how it constantly evolves. Vastly more interesting than Universal Grammar, since you can actually SEE the data and take note of changes that have really happened, instead of making guesses about the nature of language by observing a couple linguistics oddities. Further proof that Historical Linguistics is still a relevant, important field, regardless of what some of...more
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Read in April, 2008
Pretty interesting book by a pretty knowledgeable guy. About half way through the book, I was decidedly overwhelmed by the multitudes of examples of various aspects of linguistics and language thrown at me by McWhorter.
In the books conclusion, McWhorter theorizes that, in the next couple generations, all the worlds languages (500? 5000?) will be whittled down to about an even twenty. I can't decide if that's good or not. It seems not good, but really, who could stop a thing like that? ...more
In the books conclusion, McWhorter theorizes that, in the next couple generations, all the worlds languages (500? 5000?) will be whittled down to about an even twenty. I can't decide if that's good or not. It seems not good, but really, who could stop a thing like that? ...more
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3 comments
Read in January, 2003
A fascinating survey of the myriad ways humans get to communicate with each other, not as a catalog of odd behaviors but as the evidence for a rather radical thesis: there are no dialects, all are languages (or the converse: there are no languages, all are dialects, perhaps). The historical-comparative method allows Whorter to bring example after example of the richness, variability and robustness of language. I don't know if professional linguists will accept the thesis or its argument, but to ...more
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Read in November, 2007
At the very least, for those who've studied/read about linguistics (especially diachronic/comparative linguistics), this book serves as a lively, well-written setting for a wealth of talking points, specific examples, and cocktail-party anecdotes.
At the very most, for those who are curious but relatively unread in the area, The Power of Babel is a great introduction to language change on both theoretical and practical levels. McWhorter handles the tricky stuff admirably, and uses metaph...more
At the very most, for those who are curious but relatively unread in the area, The Power of Babel is a great introduction to language change on both theoretical and practical levels. McWhorter handles the tricky stuff admirably, and uses metaph...more
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Read in August, 2008
I gave up on this book. I couldn't stand McWhorter's style; seemed like an old man trying to impress his young students with a bunch of pop culture allusions, but most of the references were dated and distracting. I got the impression he didn't trust the audience to be interested solely in his subject, so every few paragraphs he'd ramble about Charlie Brown or the Internet or something that really had nothing to do with linguistics. I didn't make it too far, and I have no interest in ever res...more
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Read in January, 2003
This was one of the most fascinating books I have ever read. Although a specialist in historical linguistics may find little that is novel, the work introduces a whole new field to the nonspecialist in an engaging and entertaining fashion. To the credit of the author, he does point out that linguistics as a field to a large extent neglects historical linguistics. However, the author has a command for anecdote and historical perspective that renders the work quite inspiring.
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Read in January, 2007
I've been reading this book for months. It's very academic and heavy at times, but I have a huge interest in language and how they all relate to each other. That's exactly what this book is about. It's full of examples of every possible language development, which is great, but time consuming. It's certainly not light reading and is, I'm sure, meant to accompany a graduate seminar in semiotics!!
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It may well be a lively and entertaining book from the perspective of someone who reads other linguistics books, but it's still really dense and a bit tough to slog through at times. It _is_ worth it; the perspectives are interesting and the ideas worth knowing. However, I don't buy into McWhorter's basic premise that language development and change is closely analogous to evolution.
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Read in January, 2004
This is an interesting read. It makes you realize how transient language is. It also can make you more accepting of grammar that's not considered "correct", since grammar changes. The book has also made me aware that new technologies (such as text messaging) will DEFINITELY change our grammar...and will DEFINITELY change what is considered "correct".
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Read in May, 2008
A good story of languages, how they came to be. The author manages to take a sometimes dry (but interesting) subject and add references to popular culture to spice things up a bit. The author also has a really good lecture series available from the Teaching Company on the same subject
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Read in January, 2008
Wow. Langauges are really cool! This book reads somewhat like a History Novel, yet some of the concepts are abstract like readings in philosophy.
This book is not for the faint-hearted, nor for those that want to really digest each paragraph.
This book is not for the faint-hearted, nor for those that want to really digest each paragraph.
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Great
a pseudo dull type of subject but it is one of my favorites.
Language, or linguistics.. he is a master writer to wrap you into this field and his narrative is really entertaining.
a pseudo dull type of subject but it is one of my favorites.
Language, or linguistics.. he is a master writer to wrap you into this field and his narrative is really entertaining.
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Read in January, 2009
Very interesting book on the development, mixing and decline of language. Should be required reading for high school second language courses.
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This was far too in-depth and complicated for my taste and interest in linguistics. I'm sure someone out there would enjoy it, however.
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recommends it for:
language nerds
it reads a bit like a history book but with pop culture humor thrown in. If you like Bill Bryson's writing style, you'd need to read this book.
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Read in July, 2008
It drags a little in the middle, when he gets into too many examples of finer grammar points, but overall a very interesting read.
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Mind-opening. I have a much greater understanding and appreciation of "English" in all its permutations as a living language.
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