Language Culture

Unlock the hidden language of signs and symbols that shapes your world. From the words we speak to the images we consume, semiotics—the study of signs, symbols, and meaning—reveals how communication works beneath the surface. Signs, Symbols, and Meaning: Exploring the World of Semiotics and Its Lasting Influence introduces readers to this fascinating discipline, tracing its origins in philosophy and linguistics, exploring the groundbreaking theories of Ferdinand de Saussure and Charles Sanders Peirce, and uncovering how signs operate in language, culture, media, advertising, politics, ...

This book is a collection of the funniest and most interesting folklorist idioms that will allow you to discover hidden aspects of the Italian culture. Each idiom is presented with its translation, historic and geographical background, and an explanation of its meaning. The goal of this collection is to give the reader a deeper understanding of the Italian language and interpretation of life.

Conversational Greek for Travelers is not a language tutorial but an introduction to Greek for people visiting the country either for the first time or regularly. It will teach you numerous handy Greek words and phrases which will enhance your vacation, but it aims to do much more than that. The book will also tell you what to say in social situations, teach you about the culture and etiquette of Greek conversation, how to deal with emergency situations, and do so much more than simply telling you how to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’. There’s a chapter on Getting Around in Greece, ...

As the main spoken language of the Jews for more than a thousand years, Yiddish has had plenty to lament, plenty to conceal. Its phrases and expressions paint a comprehensive picture of the mind-set that enabled the Jews of Europe to survive persecution: they never stopped kvetching about God...

This audiobook offers an overview of different aspects of Hawaiian and contains a Hawaiian language course at three levels of complexity—basic, intermediate, and advanced together with review material. This is an ideal way to get more out of your trip to Hawaii with a better understanding of both the language and culture after listening to this audiobook.

A life–affirming memoir about resilience and repair—and the healing power of our ancestor's music, stories, and recipes. Samantha’s mother tongue is dying out. The daughter of Iraqi Jewish refugees, Samantha grew up surrounded by the noisy, vivid, hot sounds of Judeo–Iraqi Arabic. A...

“Sparkles with insight.”—Daniel Pink A Behavioral Scientist Notable Book of 2023 A New Scientist Best Science Book A Publishers Weekly Summer Read 2023 Recommendation One of Next Big Idea Club’s "7 Books that Reveal the Wonders of Writing and Language" One of Inc.’s “13 Psychology...

Successful leaders build and maintain productive, mutually-beneficial relationships - inside and outside of their organizations. They purposefully shape workplace culture that retains talent, cultivates innovation and supports the organization's goals. And they achieve excellence in teamwork and organizational execution - the nuts and bolts of collaborative action that actually produces desired results.

Nobel laureate and Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Beloved Toni Morrison investigates Black characters in the American literary canon and the way they shaped the nation’s collective unconscious. In a dazzling series of lectures from her tenure as a professor at Princeton University, Toni...

An urgent, globe-spanning exploration of languages at risk, from Kichwa to Ukrainian, that asks: What do we lose—culturally, politically, and personally—when a language is silenced? “A vivid, hopeful portrait of how people around the world are staying connected to their linguistic roots...

Are you “leadership material?” More importantly, do others perceive you to be? Sylvia Ann Hewlett, a noted expert on workplace power and influence, shows you how to identify and embody the Executive Presence (EP) that you need to succeed. You can have the experience and qualifications of a...

“As funny as it is informative, this book will have you laughing out loud while you contemplate the revolutionary power of words.” —Camille Perri, author of The Assistants and When Katie Met Cassidy A brash, enlightening, and wildly entertaining feminist look at gendered language and the...

GOOD MORNING AMERICA BUZZ PICK The Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright and co-writer of In the Heights tells her lyrical story of coming of age against the backdrop of an ailing Philadelphia barrio, with her sprawling Puerto Rican family as a collective muse. “Quiara Alegría Hudes is...

"It's a genuine pleasure to hear spoken Latin--lots of it, and by many of the great classical authors, including Cicero, Ovid, and Virgil--and to follow the story of Gardini's lifelong infatuation with a language that is nowhere and everywhere in our modern lives... This is an audiobook to...

Learn Spanish naturally while exploring the wonders of Costa Rica! Are you an adult beginner (Level A1) looking for an enjoyable way to improve your Spanish? Forget about boring grammar tables and frustrating textbooks! Easy Spanish Short Stories for Beginners (Book 3: Costa Rica) is a visual and cultural adventure designed specifically to help you learn effortlessly. Follow relatable characters, Maya and Teo, as they taste traditional gallo pinto in a local soda, discover the secrets of Costa Rican coffee, hike around the majestic Arenal Volcano, spot sloths in the Monteverde cloud forest,...

Real fluency doesn’t come from grammar charts—it comes from hearing, repeating, and responding in rhythm. This system trains your ear and voice together—helping you absorb grammar naturally through dialogue and context instead of memorization. In this 3-in-1 bundle, you’ll learn ‘Street’ Arabic for everyday life, Formal Arabic for universal understanding, and essential grammar for dialogue—so you can move fluidly between both worlds.

Parent's Guide to Gen Alpha Slang: Learn What “Skibidi Rizz” Means, Gain Insight Into Your Kid’s Culture, and “Slay” the Communication Gap Navigating the world of tweens and teens can feel like learning an entirely new language—because, well, it is! With slang evolving at lightning speed thanks to TikTok, memes, and viral trends, it’s easy for parents to feel out of the loop. But understanding this language isn’t just about keeping up with the latest buzzwords; it’s about unlocking deeper connections with your kids. In Parent’s Guide to Gen Alpha Slang, Joy Torbett ...

Octavio Paz Explained: Identity, Solitude, Mexican Culture, Surrealism, Language, Time, Love, Politics, and the Search for Meaning in Modern Life is a powerful and accessible deep dive into one of the twentieth century’s most influential thinkers and Nobel Prize winning writers. Blending philosophy, cultural analysis, and poetic insight, this book explores how Paz confronted the biggest questions of human existence: Who are we? Why do we feel alone? And how can we find meaning in a fragmented modern world? Through clear and engaging chapters, you will explore Paz’s groundbreaking ideas ...

“A witty, useful guide” (People) to apologies, why they matter, and the healing power of saying you’re sorry, from the dynamic duo behind the acclaimed SorryWatch site. It’s a truth universally acknowledged that terrible apologies are the worst. We’ve all been on the receiving end, and...

The international bestselling novel sold in 21 countries, about grief, mourning, and the joy of survival, inspired by a real phone booth in Japan with its disconnected “wind” phone, a place of pilgrimage and solace since the 2011 tsunami When Yui loses both her mother and her daughter in the...