A Little Book of Language

A lively journey through the story of language, from an infant’s first word to the languages of the internet

Language never leaves you alone. It’s there in your head, helping you think. It’s there to help you make relationships - and to break them. It’s there to remind you who you are and where you come from.

From the first words of an infant to texting and emojis, languages are full of mysteries and quirks. In this entertaining book, renowned author David Crystal sheds light on the development of unique linguistic styles, the origins of obscure accents, and the search for the first written word.

Little Histories - Inspiring Guides for Curious Minds

David Crystal is one of the world’s preeminent language specialists. Writer, editor, lecturer, and broadcaster, he is Honorary Professor of Linguistics at the University of Wales, Bangor. He has written nearly 100 books and has published widely on phonetics, Shakespeare’s language, and child language. In 1995 he was awarded the OBE for services to the English language.