Propagation and origin of language in the world - World Languages ??and Cultures Encyclopedia (1998) ISBN: 4887213360 [Japanese Import]

by Bernard Comrie

An extremely authoritative writing style, full-color illustrations, and maps combine in this ultimate exploration of the evolution of languages.

Genres: Linguistics, Language, Nonfiction, History, Reference, Microhistory, Maps

JP Oversized

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Mark Freckleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a deep, heavy work, it is intended to be an overview of languages around the world - an Atlas of Languages. It takes each continent and describes the languages found there, starting with Europe and Eurasia, then South and Southeast Asia, Africa and the Middle East, the Pacific, Australia, the Americas and then Pidgins and Creoles.

You would be amazed at the way that different languages look at different things, from the word order of a sentence to the way nouns relate to verbs (try the Ergative case if you want something to try and figure out). The scope of the book brings into focus the relationships among language groups: I was very well acquainted with the Indo-European language family, having devoted years of graduate school to its study, but the others are equally as fascinating. So are the isolates - one can only imagine how wide-spread Basque may have been prior to the arrival of Indo-European speakers to Iberia a millennium BC. For that matter, where did Korean come from. Or would it surprise you to know that all the polynesian languages (Tongan, Maori, Samoan, Hawaiian, etc.) all had their roots on the island that is now Taiwan and are cousin languages to the languages of Philippines, Indonesia, Melanesia, Micronesia and the minority languages of Viet Nam and Cambodia.

This book might not be for everyone, but anyone that is interested in how languages relate to each other, it is the best and most approachable introduction I have found.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a textbook I am reading for my Languages of the World course at the University of Georgia. While the reading level reminds me of a high school social studies book, I am fascinated by the information provided, as well as the many charts and maps. If you are interested in learning about world languages but don't have a background in linguistics, this is the perfect book for you. Even if you are familiar with linguistics, this is probably useful for you as well.

[John Isles · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a little over 200 pages, this book presents a surprising amount of detail on many of the world's languages, but it remains readable. Published in 1997, it's dated in places; and though it's profusely illustrated, many of the illustrations aren't language-related, and could have been omitted or usefully replaced by more maps and charts. But such as it is I'm pleased to recommend it to language lovers.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides a great overview of languages and writing systems. I read it as an introduction to linguists. Fascinating.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reference! Haven't read it in a long while, but it's still on my bookshelf.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good introduction to the history of the world's languages. I would have liked to have learned more about certain languages but there are always other books. The last chapter on writing crammed in too much information for me in such a short section that I skimmed it. Normally, I would have been fascinated.

[joy *the clean-reader extraordinaire* · Rating 4 out of 5]

coffee table book for the linguist, so obviously a limited audience, but great information

[The Sleepy Nightowl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit dated but fulfilling its primary claim of giving an overview of the geographical spread of languages at the end of the 20th century. The book contains extensive examples of grammars and alphabets for each major language family. There are also maps showing the spread of language families, alphabets and dying languages. While lacking more details than are necessary for an overview, nonetheless an interesting read.

[Mickaël A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Une bonne mise au point des langues dans le monde, du moins au moment de la parution (2003 édition originale). Le livre est richement illustré et parcours véritablement tous les continents. Il peut neanmoins paraître parfois austère pas un cataloguage des langues et des cultures. Les cartes sont utiles mais la mise en page parfois déroutante. Lu en français (Editions Acropoles).

[Fátima Fernandes · Rating 4 out of 5]

É fascinante a evolução das línguas, a sua história, e a forma como os linguistas mergulkham no passado em busca da sua origem comum, no espaço e no tempo. Este é uma excelente introdução.

[Dokusha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Die drei Sterne gibt es, weil das Buch eine Menge Informationen zu einzelnen Sprachen oder Sprachfamilien enthält. Es beschreibt etliche grammatische Eigenheiten oder Besonderheiten, die es lesenswert machen.

Allerdings sollte man den Anspruch, ein BILDATLAS der Sprachen zu sein, nicht zu ernst nehmen - dafür sind die Karten zu grob und nicht detailreich genug. Die in den Karten enthaltenen Informationen kann man auch in vielen anderen Büchern zum Thema finden, sie bieten keine besonders guten Informationen.

Außerdem leidet dieses Buch (wie so einige andere, die ich in letzter Zeit gelesen habe) unter vielen Druckfehlern - ich habe das Gefühl, kaum ein Verlag leistet sich noch ein vernünftiges Lektorat.

[Mckinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overview of topic broken into regions/language families makes it a good ref. book.