Language A to Z

By: John McWhorter, The Great Courses

Narrated by: John McWhorter

Length: 6 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

Linguistics, the study of language, has a reputation for being complex and inaccessible. But here's a secret: There's a lot that's quirky and intriguing about how human language works-and much of it is downright fun to learn about. But with so many potential avenues of exploration, it can often seem daunting to try to understand it. Where does one even start?

In these twenty-four 15-minute lectures by one of the best-known popularizes of language, you'll discover a delightful way to get accessible, bite-sized introductions to language. Using the English alphabet as a unique, offbeat way to approach the subject, Professor McWhorter has crafted a hopscotch tour of some of the field's major topics, hot-button issues, and more.

You'll learn why it can actually be OK to use slang like "LOL." Why English speakers don't use words like "thou" and "thee" anymore. What makes "mama" and "papa" a child's first words-in many languages. How popular rhymes like "Eeny, meeny, miney, moe") actually derive from the words for numbers in an early relative of Welsh. Why "like" is here to stay in common American speech. And much more.

These and other fascinating topics are all delivered in Professor McWhorter's light-hearted yet informative teaching style, which makes this series essential for anyone looking for a welcoming window into the quirks, curiosities, and intricacies of how language works. Filled with humor, whimsy, and no shortage of insights, it's a fast-paced tour of the same territory linguists tread each and every day.

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

©2012 The Great Courses (P)2012 The Teaching Company, LLC

Favorite McWhorter book

This is a fantastic analysis of language split into the alphabet. 26 pieces of information of Language in general coinciding with the 26 letters of the English alphabet. That is a very vague summary. This book is so much more than that. 10/10 would recommend and did not disappoint

Great survey of human language

Great course and presentation for learning some interesting facts about language. After listening to this course you'll look at you language differently.

Interesting and amusing

McWhorter is funny and entertaining while also educating. This was an easy yet informative listen.

Informative and Fun

John McWhorter is a brilliant teacher and manages to communicate all the complexities of language in a simple, fun manner. I'll buy any course from him.

McWhorter is a terrific lecturer

I love the way he presents what could be a very dry topic. He makes it relevant and entertaining while teaching us a lot about language and people.

My Favorite McWhorter Course

I have listened to several of his courses, and enjoyed them all. I find this one to be the funniest, yet still it provides a lot of facts that I may even recall some of. I have listened to this twice now, and I enjoyed this at least as much, possibly more, the second time.

Very interesting and informative

John McWhorter has a keen insight into languages in general. He is an excellent narrator/speaker. He also has a wonderful sense of humor. I really enjoyed listening to his descriptions of all the various languages. The tremendous amount of information that is contained in language is truly impressive. Dr. McWhorter is a superb lecturer and obviously has a great passion for what he teaches. I highly recommend this listen.

A genious Miscelany of linguistic topics

Prof. John McWhorter, linguist and English lecturer at the University of Columbia fires off like a rocket bringing linguistics to the listener through 24 short 15 minute mini-lectures from A-Z. He uses the alphabet to introduce the listener to some interesting facts about the mishmash of languages spoken in the world.

He starts the course at an enormous pace and peppers you with a lot of information. Initially I thought that I would opt out due to the pace against which he presents. I managed to stuck in there and was not disappointed. He knows a lot about languages.

From a South African perspective just the following: Xhosa is not pronounced Chosa as if it should start with a fricative, but with a clicking sound like that of the clicking languages that he describes. His pronunciation of the language called Afrikaans was also lacking. Despite that, he brings tremendous insight into languages and their structures. Highlights are "H for Hobbits" and "R for R-lessness"

If you want a fun-filled and highly informative course, this one is for you.

Snack sized bits of linguistics

All John McWhorter's Great Courses courses are excellent but if you're not sure if linguistics is of interest to you this is a great place to start as it is shorter and simpler than the other courses. The lectures are very short (approximately 15 minutes) and each cover one of a diverse range of linguistic facts about English and other languages.

Beyond the valley of the grammar police

I've always loved the English language and priced myself on my mastery of grammar and usage. Still do. But McWhorter takes us past the formal rules and shows how and why living languages grow and evolve. Knowing the rules is great. Understanding them and their limits is even more enriching.