Language in the Modern World - Simeon Potter

In Language in the Modern World, noted linguist Simeon Potter explores the extraordinary diversity, development and social importance of human language. Written for a general readership, the book examines how languages evolve over time, how they spread across continents through migration, trade and empire, and how they adapt to changing political, scientific and technological conditions. Potter also considers the relationship between spoken and written language, the formation of new words, dialects, slang and the continuing influence of English as an international language.

Combining historical insight with accessible linguistic scholarship, Potter discusses major world language families, the forces that shape vocabulary and grammar, and the role of language in education, communication and cultural identity. Far from being a static system of rules, language is presented as a living, constantly evolving reflection of human society. A classic Pelican introduction to linguistics, Language in the Modern World remains an engaging survey of how language shapes, and is shaped by, the modern age.