The Story of Human Language

By: John McWhorter, The Great Courses

Narrated by: John McWhorter

Length: 18 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

Language defines us as a species, placing humans head and shoulders above even the most proficient animal communicators. But it also beguiles us with its endless mysteries, allowing us to ponder why different languages emerged, why there isn't simply a single language, how languages change over time and whether that's good or bad, and how languages die out and become extinct. Now you can explore all of these questions and more in an in-depth series of 36 lectures from one of America's leading linguists.

You'll be witness to the development of human language, learning how a single tongue spoken 150,000 years ago evolved into the estimated 6,000 languages used around the world today and gaining an appreciation of the remarkable ways in which one language sheds light on another.

The many fascinating topics you examine in these lectures include: the intriguing evidence that links a specific gene to the ability to use language; the specific mechanisms responsible for language change; language families and the heated debate over the first language; the phenomenon of language mixture; why some languages develop more grammatical machinery than they actually need; the famous hypothesis that says our grammars channel how we think; artificial languages, including Esperanto and sign languages for the deaf; and how word histories reflect the phenomena of language change and mixture worldwide.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2004 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2004 The Great Courses

I love this guy!

I have never in my 67 years been considered close to being a fanboy, so excuse me if I fawn over John McWhorter like a cheerleader fawns over the captain of the football team. I am not a linguist. I am just someone who likes to learn as much as I can about as many subjects as I can find information on. Had it not been for John McWhorter's manner of speaking and his ability to use common metaphors to create an understanding of the subject matter at hand, I most likely would have given up on these lesson's. As it is, I went into this course understanding about 20% of what John McWhorter was saying and ended up grasping more like 60% by the end of the course. Having finished this course with more understanding of human language than I had prior means I have become more intelligent about something I had no clue about.
My entire outlook on language is now changed forever. Never again will I attempt to correct or think poorly of a person for whom English is a second language for syntax variances such as putting nouns before verbs. Never again will I be guilty of being a grammar Nazi who thinks he knows "proper" English. I understand that "proper" is an ever changing variable when it comes to language now.
I will be listening to or reading more of John McWhorter's works, as long as he reads them for audio books. I truly hope this review helps those who may be on the fence about listening to a lecture on language.

Extremely Interesting

Great content. The lecturer made the information easy to understand. I will listen to this again.

Very interesting!

This course is the only audio book I've ever gotten past the first chapter let alone finished. It was very interesting and I learned a lot about a subject that I realize now I should have pursued further.

FANTASTIC

Fascinating content, entertaining delivery. If all of my college professors had been this good, I would never have left the university.

Thanks for the enlightening trip around the world and through the ages, following the development of language.

The best course among the Great Courses!

This book is absolutely fascinating, and Dr. John McWhorter is probably the best teacher I've ever listened to (or to whom I've ever listened). Wish he could teach ALL the Great Courses, but I guess he's stuck on linguistics. That's understandable, but kinda sad. I loved this book! Thank you.

And... This is a great audio book!

The content is great. And the narrator is awesome.
This book really change my view on how a language should be or could be otherwise.

Extremely fun and interesting

Book is surprisingly fascinating with much humor mixed in. The author is very enthusiastic and extremely knowledgeable. I also appreciate his honest, respectful yet non-politically correct historical perspective. Left-wing snowflakes and bible fable righties will definitely be disappointed in historical truths and will likely be offended. Also grammar snobs will be exposed and will need to find a new pet peeve; language is continually evolving. This book is descriptive not prescriptive, it is perfect for anyone he loves learning and thinking about how things got to be the way they are.

Afro-centric and dismissive

I will take all comers when it comes to lectures on language from any aspect. However this gentleman cavilerly sweeps hard-fought science and data aside for his own interpretation. He also thinks Africa is the be all end all when it comes to the origin of language which is preposterous when you look at how dismissive of lower orders of communicators he is. PIE, folks. A PHD doth not a linguist make. it's interesting but it's his version.

woah!

Cool stuff! This guy is funny and entertaining. This is great with short little lessons!

Great introduction to linguistics

As an amateur linguist I found The Story of Human Language both fascinating and insightful. I also really enjoyed John McWhorter’s lighthearted, engaging, style.