Compact discs.

24 lectures.

Lecture delivered by John McWhorter, Columbia University.

"With more than 6,000 languages spoken around the world, it's no wonder that linguistics, the study of language, has a reputation for being complex and inaccessible. But here's a secret: There's a lot that's quirky and intriguing about how human language works--and much of it is downright fun to learn about. Every day, linguists ponder and try to solve some of the most intriguing scientific, historical, and sociological puzzles behind the inner workings of language--how it emerged, how it evolved, how it's used, and where it's going in the future. What's the deal with slang like "baby mama" and "LOL"-- where does it come from and can it actually be OK to use? Why don't English speakers use words like "thou" and "thee" anymore? What makes "mama" and "papa" the first words spoken by children in many languages? These and other curious questions (and their surprising answers) are all part of what makes linguistics a field of study that's anything but dry and dull" --,from publisher's web site.