The Power Of Babel

The Power Of Babel

A Natural History of Language

Summary

There can be few subjects of such widespread interest and fascination to anyone who reads as the strange ways of languages. In this wonderfully entertaining and fascinating book, John McWhorter introduces us to 'the natural history of language': from Russonorsk, a creole of Russian and Norwegian once spoken by trading fur trappers to an Australian Aboriginal language which only has three verbs. Witty, brilliant and authoritative, this book is a must for anyone who is interested in language, as sheerly enjoyable as non-fiction gets.

Reviews

  • 'McWhorter relishes the world of pidgins, Creoles, dialects and slang... His enthusiasm is infectious'
    Daily Telegraph

About the author

John McWhorter

Learn More

Sign up to the Penguin Newsletter

For the latest books, recommendations, author interviews and more