{"product_id":"a-history-of-language-paperback","title":"A History of Language - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eSteven Roger Fischer\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis second edition of Steven Roger Fischer's fascinating book charts the history of communication from a time before human language was conceived of to the media explosion of the present day. Fischer begins by describing the modes of communication used by whales, birds, insects, and nonhuman primates, suggesting these are the first contexts in which the concept of \"language\" might be applied. He then moves from the early abilities of \u003ci\u003eHomo erectus\u003c\/i\u003e to the spread of languages worldwide, analyzing the effect of the development of writing along the way. With the advent of the science of linguistics in the nineteenth century, the nature of human languages first came to be studied and understood. Fischer follows the evolution of linguists' insights and the relationship of language to social change into the mid-1900s. Taking into account the rise of pidgin, Creole, jargon, and slang, he goes on to raise provocative questions about literature's--and literacy's--relationship to language. Finally, touching on the effects of radio, television, propaganda, and advertising, Fischer looks to the future, asking how electronic media are daily reshaping the world's languages and suggesting a radical reinterpretation of what language really is.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSteven Roger Fischer \u003c\/b\u003eFRS (NZ) is former director of the Institute of Polynesian Languages and Literatures in Auckland, New Zealand. He is the author of \u003ci\u003eA History of Writing\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eA History of Reading\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eIsland at the End of the World: The Turbulent History of Easter Island\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eIslands: From Atlantis to Zanzibar\u003c\/i\u003e, all published by Reaktion Books.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 240\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.9 x 7.7 x 5 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e August 15, 2018\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51770223034656,"sku":"9781780239033","price":22.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0974\/9764\/5344\/files\/21d80720cb48853215174e983d72c5bc.webp?v=1780367128","url":"https:\/\/ebocreations.com\/products\/a-history-of-language-paperback","provider":"The E-Book Oasis LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}