Geography of Words: Vocabulary and Meaning in the World's Languages

This book explores the ways in which languages around the world organize their lexicons, or vocabularies, highlighting the diversity and variation across cultures. It presents fascinating cases from a wide range of languages, explaining the mechanisms of vocabulary development and the ways in which languages and cultures interact. It is an accessible and entertaining read for anyone interested in learning more about the human lexicon.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 16 December 2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Languages across the globe exhibit a remarkable diversity in the organization of their lexicons, or vocabularies. This captivating book serves as a tribute to the world's linguistic richness, presenting a collection of fascinating cases from a wide array of languages. Through these cases, readers delve into the intricate mechanisms behind lexical variation and explore the reasons why it occurs. Each of the thirty-six short chapters showcases how culturally specific words, related to various phenomena such as kinship, color, space, time, objects, scents, and animals, differ across languages and geographical locations. Furthermore, the book elucidates the developmental processes of vocabularies, shedding light on the factors that contribute to this variation and the interplay between languages and cultures in shaping it. Designed with a beginner's perspective in mind, this book offers an engaging and informative journey for anyone interested in delving deeper into the captivating world of linguistics. With its accessible language and straightforward concepts, it provides a valuable resource for individuals seeking to expand their knowledge about the immense diversity and richness of the human lexicon.

Weight: 406g
Dimension: 154 x 229 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108795012