Why does language change? Why can we speak to and understand our parents but have trouble
reading Shakespeare? Why is Chaucer's English of the fourteenth century so different from
Modern English of the late twentieth century that the two are essentially different languages?
Why are Americans and English 'one people divided by a common language'? And how can the
language of Chaucer and Modern English - or Modern British and American English - still be
called the same language? The present book provides answers to questions like these in a
straightforward way aimed at the non-specialist with ample illustrations from both familiar
and more exotic languages. Most chapters in this new edition have been reworked with some
difficult passages removed other passages thoroughly rewritten and several new sections added
e.g. on language and race and on Indian writing systems. Further the chapter notes and
bibliography have all been updated. The content is engaging focusing on topics and issues that
spark student interest. Its goals are broadly pedagogical and the level and presentation are
appropriate for interested beginners with little or no background in linguistics. The language
coverage for examples goes well beyond what is usual for books of this kind with a
considerable amount of data from various languages of India.
