This book provides a non-technical introduction to the study of language by focusing on questions such as: - Where does language come from? - Why don't we all talk the same? - Who needs grammar? Suitable for students with no experience of linguistics, this lively introduction to language approaches will encourage students to think.

Introduction PART 1: THE ORIGINS AND DEVELOPMENT OF LANGUAGE Where Does Language Come From? Why Don't We All Talk the Same? Things Ain't What They Used to Be Linguistic Relations Bee Talk and Monkey Chatter PART 2: LANGUAGE STRUCTURES How Do You Spell Accommodation? How Many Words Do The Eskimos Use? Going On and On: The Never-ending Story Primitive Languages? Who Needs Grammar? Mobile Messages PART 3: LANGUAGE AND SOCIETY How Do We Lose Languages and Does It Matter? What Shall I Call You? Do Women and Men Speak Differently? Sexist Language and Linguist Sexism What Language Do You Use to Your Grandmother? Why Can't People in Birmingham Talk Right? PART 4: LANGUAGE, BRAIN AND MIND Why My Feets Hurted? Does Bilingualism Rot the Brain? Building Another Tongue You've Tasted the Whole Worm Is Language a Strait Jacket? When Language Breaks Down PART 5: CONCLUSION Who Cares About Language? Index.