Items related to Language Play
In this book, David Crystal examines why we devote so much time and energy to language games, how professionals make a career of them, and how young children instinctively take to them. Crystal makes a simple argument - that since playing with language is so natural, a natural way to learn language is to play with it - while he discusses puns, crosswords, lipograms, comic alphabets, rhymes, funny voices taken from dialect and popular culture, limericks, anagrams, scat singing, and much more.
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Review:
Language play takes different forms for different people. Some people groove on crossword puzzles; others gravitate toward Scrabble. Still others like to rap, tell jokes, speak in puns, or recite Monty Python skits verbatim. What they all have in common--what we all have in common, says linguist David Crystal--is a love of language play. "The phenomenon of language play," he writes, "seems to cut across regional, social and professional background, age, sex, ethnicity, personality, intelligence and culture." As it turns out, little research has been done on the subject. Language exists, it is usually thought, to communicate ideas. Crystal argues that "it is difficult to see how ping-pong punning can possibly fit in with [this] view."
About the Author:
In Language Play, Crystal explores the various ways in which people play with language. He outlines the professions--including advertising, headline writing, and comedy--that rely on language play. He talks about the importance of play in language development, even for the infants. And he argues that the printed matter used in schools (he lives in the U.K., by the way) sorely needs updating to reflect children's interest in rhyme, nonsense, pattern, new words, and the like. Examples new and old (from the 1800s) demonstrate the ways in which language can entertain. But language play is more than just entertaining, the author says; "it brings people into rapport with each other." In fact, he says, "disaffection with someone's language play is ... a sign that a relationship is on the way to breaking down." Think about it: "When you get annoyed by someone's silly voices, find their mock regional accents extremely irritating, or their favourite word game pointless and boring, then all is definitely not well." --Jane Steinberg
David Crystal is Honorary Professor of Linguistics at the University of Wales, Bangor.
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- PublisherPenguin Uk
- Publication date1999
- ISBN 10 0140273859
- ISBN 13 9780140273854
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages272
- IllustratorMcLachlan Ed
- Rating
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Language Play
Published by
Penguin Books Ltd, United Kingdom, London
(1998)
ISBN 10: 0140273859
ISBN 13: 9780140273854
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Paperback
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Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. McLachlan, Ed (illustrator). A scholarly but exhilarating examination of why we devote so much time and energy to language games. LANGUAGE PLAY shows how professionals - from comedians and copy writers to theologians - make a career of these games; how young children instinctively display skills which no one ever manages to acquire in a foreign language; and the implications for effective teaching of reading, writing and grammar. LANGUAGE PLAY restores fun to the study of language and demonstrates why language games are an essential element of what makes us human. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR001751743
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Language Play
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ISBN 13: 9780140273854
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Book Description Condition: Good. McLachlan, Ed (illustrator). Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 16423951-6
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Language Play
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Book Description Condition: Very Good. McLachlan, Ed (illustrator). This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. . Seller Inventory # 7719-9780140273854
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Language Play
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ISBN 13: 9780140273854
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Book Description Condition: Very Good. McLachlan, Ed (illustrator). 1679662814. 3/24/2023 1:00:14 PM. Seller Inventory # U9780140273854
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Language Play
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ISBN 10: 0140273859
ISBN 13: 9780140273854
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Book Description Paperback. Condition: Used; Good. McLachlan, Ed (illustrator). Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. This book is in good condition but will show signs of previous ownership. Please expect some creasing to the spine and/or minor damage to the cover. Grubby book may have mild dirt or some staining, mostly on the edges of pages. Aged book. Tanned pages and age spots, however, this will not interfere with reading. Seller Inventory # CHL9496286
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Language Play
Published by
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ISBN 10: 0140273859
ISBN 13: 9780140273854
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Book Description Paperback. Condition: Used; Good. McLachlan, Ed (illustrator). Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. This book is in good condition but will show signs of previous ownership. Please expect some creasing to the spine and/or minor damage to the cover. Aged book. Tanned pages and age spots, however, this will not interfere with reading. Damaged cover. The cover of is slightly damaged for instance a torn or bent corner. Seller Inventory # CHL7020440
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Book Description Condition: Good. McLachlan, Ed (illustrator). Most items will be dispatched the same or the next working day. A copy that has been read but remains in clean condition. All of the pages are intact and the cover is intact and the spine may show signs of wear. The book may have minor markings which are not specifically mentioned. A tan to the page edges/pages. Seller Inventory # wbb0022181324
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Language Play
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Book Description Paperback. Condition: Good. McLachlan, Ed (illustrator). Seller Inventory # SONG0140273859
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Language Play
Published by
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Softcover
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Book Description Condition: Very Good. McLachlan, Ed (illustrator). Shipped within 24 hours from our UK warehouse. Clean, undamaged book with no damage to pages and minimal wear to the cover. Spine still tight, in very good condition. Remember if you are not happy, you are covered by our 100% money back guarantee. Seller Inventory # 6545-9780140273854
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Language Play
Published by
Penguin Books, Limited
(1998)
ISBN 10: 0140273859
ISBN 13: 9780140273854
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Softcover
Quantity: 1
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Book Description Condition: Very Good. McLachlan, Ed (illustrator). Ships from the UK. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # 17197841-6
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