Just A Phrase I'm Going Through by Crystal, David;

Short description:

David Crystal offers us a special look behind the scenes at the adventures, rewards, challenges and pitfalls of his life in language. Both an autobiography and a highly accessible introduction to the field of linguistics, Just a Phrase I?m Going Through illuminates and entertains us with its many insights into the ever-fascinating subject of language.

David Crystal is synonymous with language, both as a great populariser and linguistic pioneer, and his contribution to the field is unparalleled. This is a book not just for students and teachers but for all lovers of language.

Long description:

Kidnapping, attempted assassination, espionage ? not the answers you?d expect to the question ?what happens when you become a linguist??

But now, reflecting on a long and hugely successful career at the forefront of the field of English Language and Linguistics, David Crystal answers this question and offers us a special look behind the scenes at the adventures, rewards, challenges and pitfalls of his life in language.

Both an autobiography and a highly accessible introduction to the field of linguistics, Just a Phrase I?m Going Through illuminates and entertains us with its many insights into the ever-fascinating subject of language.

David Crystal is synonymous with language, both as a great populariser and linguistic pioneer, and his contribution to the field is unparalleled. This is a book not just for students and teachers but for all lovers of language.

For more about David Crystal at Routledge, visit: www.routledge.com/textbooks/9780415485746.

I have never met anyone who is as passionate about the English language as David Crystal, he understands its history and its possibilities better than anyone else in my world, and there is no better way to understand his world than reading this book. An incredible human as Linguist.

Anyone who is fascinated with dictionaries is fascinated with life, anyone who is fascinated with life is simply fascinating. David Crystal's life and work is absolutely fascinating.

He's done the story of English, now here's the story of him. David Crystal and words, they go together so well.

There's something very moving about reading how David Crystal got where he is today. We know of his passion for language now here is his passion for life. Jazz, theatre, travel, and sexy linguistics, there's so much here.

If David Crystal is going through a phrase I want to go through it with him. He is a fundamental part of the language I speak, and this insight into the making of the man is personal, honest, and sometimes funny. He rocks.

There's so much I wanted to know about David Crystal, not anymore.

In his books, in his talks, and in his lectures, David Crystal has gone beyond the call of duty in sharing his passion for language we us, but now it gets personal. He's not your average academic.

David Crystal loves and appreciates every word he speaks, and every word written in this book helps us to understand someone who is not just a great linguist, but a true champion and lover of language.

Benjamin Zephaniah

Table of Contents:

1. Being a Linguist  2. A Semilingual Start  3. New Worlds  4. Liverpool School  5. Extra-curricular Acts   6. Learning, and Not Learning, About Language  7. Becoming Academic  8. Surveying  9. Worlds Within Worlds  10. Becoming Professional  11. The Sexy Subject  12. Meeting a Need 13. Choices and Consequences  14. Meetings and Meetings  15. Looking for Remedies  16. Why Did You Resign?  17. The Encyclopedia Game 18. Schizoid Man  19. Busyness and Business