This is the first guide and introduction to the extraordinary range of languages in Amazonia, which include some of the most the most fascinating in the world and many of which are now teetering on the edge of extinction. Alexandra Aikhenvald, one of the world's leading experts on the region, provides an account of the more than 300 languages, comparing their common and unique features, setting out their main characteristics, and describing the histories and cultures of the people who speak them. The languages abound in ...
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This is the first guide and introduction to the extraordinary range of languages in Amazonia, which include some of the most the most fascinating in the world and many of which are now teetering on the edge of extinction. Alexandra Aikhenvald, one of the world's leading experts on the region, provides an account of the more than 300 languages, comparing their common and unique features, setting out their main characteristics, and describing the histories and cultures of the people who speak them. The languages abound in rare features and in most cases have been in contact with each other for generations, giving rise to complex patterns of linguistic influence. The author draws on her own extensive field research to tease out and analyse the patterns of their genetic and structural diversity. In the process she shows how they reflect the interrelations of language and culture: different kinship systems, for example, produce different linguistic outcomes. She also explains the roles and workings of their unusual features including evidentials, tones and whistles, and elaborate positional verbs. The book ends with a glossary of terms, and a comprehensive list of references for those interested in following up a language or linguistic phenomenon. Alexandra Aikhenvald's fascinating book is aimed at a wide readership, including linguists and anthropologists. It is unburdened by esoteric terminology, written in her characteristically straightforward style, and brought vividly to life with numerous anaecdotes of her experience in the region. It may be used as reference for research and as an introduction for courses in Latin American studies, Amazonian studies, linguistic typology, and general linguistics.
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Add this copy of The Languages of the Amazon to cart. $43.00, like new condition, Sold by Common Crow Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Pittsburgh, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2012 by Oxford University Press.
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Seller's Description:
Fine in Near fine jacket. First printing, 2012, hardcover with black cloth boards in dust jacket, large octavo, 514pp., sparsely illustrated with b&w maps. Book fine, binding tight, text clean bright and unmarked. DJ near fine with mild rubbing and edgewear, looking handsome in protective mylar wrap.
Add this copy of Languages of the Amazon (Oxford Linguistics) to cart. $81.27, like new condition, Sold by Prior Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Cheltenham, GLOUCESTERSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2012 by Oxford University Press.
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Like New in Like New jacket. Size: 9x1x6; Dark blue gilt lettered hardback, firm and square, sharp corners, strong joints, no bumps, no rubs; complete with original dustjacket, just lightly edge-worn. Contents clean, crisp and tight; no pen-marks and not from a library so no such stamps or labels. Looks and feels unread. Thus a fresh, clean copy in nearly new condition offered for sale at reasonable price.
