Language Linguistics

In Made in America, Bryson de-mythologizes his native land, explaining how a dusty hamlet with neither woods nor holly became Hollywood, how the Wild West wasn't won, why Americans say 'lootenant' and 'Toosday', how Americans were eating junk food long before the word itself was cooked up, as well as exposing the true origins of the G-string, the original $64,000 question, and Dr Kellogg of cornflakes fame.

Where do our everyday words come from? The bagel you eat for breakfast, the bumf you have to wade through at the office, and the bus that takes you home again: we use these words without thinking about their origins or how their meanings have changed over time. Simon Horobin takes the listener on a journey through a typical day, showing how the words we use to describe routine activities - getting up, going to work, eating meals - have surprisingly fascinating histories.

Peering through the peephole of Spanish, because it’s my familiar tongue, I try to unpack the mysteries of how the Portuguese language works—and why. But my Spanish also causes obstacles, hurdles, and stumbling blocks. People constantly remind me that I’m thinking – and talking – in Spanish.

Imagina que cuentas con la capacidad de dirigir o cambiar los pensamientos de las personas. ¿Puedes sentir el poder que esto te daría? ¿Te gustaría tener este poder y lograr todos tus objetivos? Si quieres que tus colegas, jefes, pareja, hijos, clientes potenciales o que cualquier persona diga “sí” a lo que quieres, solo te diré tres palabras: ¡Oiga este audiolibro!

Speed-read people, decipher body language, detect deception, and get to the truth. We live in a world where dishonesty and lies are seemingly everywhere. From fake news and problematic media outlets to corrupt management in our workplaces and selfish friends, there’s no doubt that as you grow older, you become more cynical and more distrusting of the world and the people in it. What if there was a way to spot the lies and take yourself closer to the truth? Well, there is, and it’s all detailed in this very audiobook.

Thirteen chapters evoke the joy and discovery of reading a menu dotted with the sharp-eyed annotations of a linguist. Jurafsky points out the subtle meanings hidden in filler words like "rich" and "crispy," zeroes in on the metaphors and storytelling tropes we rely on in restaurant reviews, and charts a micro-universe of marketing language on the back of a bag of potato chips.

In The Sense of Style, the best-selling linguist and cognitive scientist Steven Pinker answers these questions and more. Rethinking the usage guide for the 21st century, Pinker doesn’t carp about the decline of language or recycle pet peeves from the rulebooks of a century ago. Instead, he applies insights from the sciences of language and mind to the challenge of crafting clear, coherent, and stylish prose.

Because Internet is for anyone who's ever puzzled over how to punctuate a text message or wondered where memes come from. It's the perfect book for understanding how the internet is changing the English language, why that's a good thing, and what our online interactions reveal about who we are.

Words on the Move opens our eyes to the surprising backstories to the words and expressions we use every day. Did you know that silly once meant "blessed"? Or that ought was the original past tense of owe? Or that the suffix -ly in adverbs is actually a remnant of the word like? And have you ever wondered why some people from New Orleans sound as if they come from Brooklyn?

In this wildly entertaining A to Z of verbal acrobatics, Gyles takes you on a whirlwind tour of our mother tongue – from the origins of words and correct grammar and punctuation, to similes, euphemisms and record breaking tongue twisters (try getting your mouth around floccinaucinihilipification!). An idiosyncratic blend of history, word play, anecdote, and hyperbole, all in 60-second instalments, this is Gyles Brandreth at his word-perfect, Just-a-Minute best. You’ll never mix your metaphors again...

In The Stuff of Thought, Steven Pinker marries two of the subjects he knows best: language and human nature. The result is a fascinating look at how our words explain our nature. What does swearing reveal about our emotions? Why does innuendo disclose something about relationships? Pinker reveals how our use of prepositions and tenses taps into peculiarly human concepts of space and time, and how our nouns and verbs speak to our notions of matter.

A celebration of the language and culture of Italy, La Bella Lingua is the story of how a language shaped a nation, told against the backdrop of one woman's personal quest to speak fluent Italian. For anyone who has been to Italy, the fantasy of living the Italian life is powerfully seductive. But to truly become Italian, one must learn the language. This is how Dianne Hales began her journey. In La Bella Lingua, she brings the story of her decades-long experience with "the world's most loved and lovable language" together with explorations of Italy's history.

Containing a fascinating exploration of the depths of the human mind, this insightful book takes listeners on a deep dive to discover the hidden parts of the psyche. Covering the subtle world of body language and non-verbal communication, along with the lesser-known secrets of human behavior, you’ll discover how you can draw on a rich collection of insights to protect yourself from manipulators and abusers.

Are you struggling to find the light at the end of the tunnel? Are you even aware that you can actually turn whatever negative thought you have in your mind into a positive one instead? And better yet, kill any bad thought that crosses your mind? No matter what your thoughts are there is a way to change those thoughts for the better. NLP explores the relationships between how we think, how we communicate, and our patterns of behavior and emotions. The idea is that, by studying NLP people can adopt more successful ways of thinking, communicating, feeling, and behaving.

Mastering English as a Foreign Language is a comprehensive resource designed to equip both teachers and advanced learners with the knowledge and tools necessary to excel in English language acquisition.Unlike many introductory EFL editions that follow a cookery-book style—offering disconnected and unproven recipes of tips and exercises—this book represents a significant departure. For the first time, we have seamlessly woven together key elements of applied linguistics principles with practical strategies, ensuring that EFL practitioners are not merely equipped with tools but with ...

It seems impossible: a small island in the North Atlantic, colonized by Rome, then pillaged for hundreds of years by marauding neighbors, becomes the dominant world power in the 19th century. Equally unlikely, a colony of that island nation across the Atlantic grows into the military and cultural colossus of the 20th century. How? By the sword, of course; by trade and industrial ingenuity; but principally, and most surprisingly, by the power of their common language.

Better Vocabulary in 30 Minutes a Day offers a lively and entertaining method for adding a more impressive list of words to your everyday speech, and for learning how to use them effortlessly and accurately. Besides giving definitions, this invaluable guide also provides root meanings and elements of words so you can increase your vocabulary base by thousands of exciting new words and use them with aplomb in sentences.

Are you planning to move to or visit the United States? Or perhaps you're eager to enhance your English language skills through engaging and immersive content? Look no further than "American Journeys: Exploring Language and American Culture." This captivating book offers a transformative experience, delving into the heart of American culture while providing an unparalleled platform for language learning. For those embarking on a journey to the United States, this book serves as an indispensable guide. Discover the diverse tapestry of American customs, traditions, and landscapes as you ...

First published in 2000, Words and Rules remains one of Pinker's most provocative and accessible books, illuminating the fascinating relationship between the brain, the mind, and how language makes us humans.

An insider’s tour through the construction of invented languages from the bestselling author and creator of languages for Legendary's Dune, the HBO series Game of Thrones and the Syfy series Defiance.