We want to study the overview of language, its history, varieties, forms and functions. The list of chapters gives only a partial overview of the subject we will study. They also include: the sounds of language, words, nonlinguistic systems of communication, evolution of language, language and literature, and many more (altogether about 50 subjects). The modern spoken languages comprise about four weeks of study (out of 14) but the text is peppered with examples in all tongues.
The text by Mario Pei is a grand oldie. It is nevertheless the most comprehensive and the best-balanced introduction to the study of language, as well as very readable and understandable. The book is not a scholarly text on the theory of linguistics. This is a lively and entertaining book on language, well written and stimulating.
