Speaking, writing, and signing are ways in which a language lives and breathes. Languages are being passed on from one generation to the next, and this process in on-going from a parent to their children, who is passed on to their children and so on.

So when does a language die? A language dies when the last person who speaks of it dies. And this is what’s going on in many parts of the world. For example, tribal languages spoken by the people in Brazil and Indonesia are only spoken by a handful of people, whereas English, Spanish and Chinese are healthy languages spoken, written, and signed by people of the world.

One the world’s leading linguist David Crystal introduces us to our most critical mode of communication. With this book he hopes that everyone who have a real interest in language will try to preserve the worlds language in rich variety. Most importantly today, he explains that we should understand that how we shape our language and how language shapes us. A Little Book of Language shares to us Crystal’s knowledge about spelling, grammar, diction, and the influences of new kinds of linguistic style (computer language and texting) Interesting for those with an appreciation for language.