ABSTRACT

First published in 1939, this book provides a brief but comprehensive view of language in general, and of English and American language in particular. It is suitable for beginners and those who wish to learn about the basics of linguistics.

part I|98 pages

Part I

chapter Chapter I|10 pages

Families of Languages

chapter Chapter II|66 pages

The English Language 1

chapter Chapter III|22 pages

The American Language

part II|71 pages

Part

chapter Chapter IV|29 pages

How Words Begin 1

chapter Chapter V|22 pages

Why Words Get New Meanings and Why Languages Change

chapter Chapter VI|20 pages

Why Some Words Live, Some Die; Fashions in Words

part III|28 pages

Part

chapter Chapter VII|28 pages

English: Good; Bad; and Worse

part IV|41 pages

Part

chapter Chapter VIII|41 pages

What Grammar is—and Why

part V|74 pages

Part

chapter Chapter IX|74 pages

The Fun of Word History 1