Part 1 Language: the nature of language - the nature and functions of language; language in thinking and thought - thinking and reasoning in relation to speech and language; language myths and origins - the origins and early history of speech and language; body language - facial expressions, gestures, and other forms of non-verbal communication; meaning and sense - the nature of meaning, definition, sense and nonsense; words or deeds - the choice between talk and action, language and living; ever-changing language - continuity and change in language over time - loan words and neologisms; arguing about usage - issues of usage and correctness in language; the language of youth and age - child language, and the changes between youth and old age. Part 2 Languages: language diversity - the world's languages, language identity, endangerment, maintenance and death; languages observed - the supposed qualities of different languages; bilingualism and multilingualism - being proficient in more than one language; translating and interpreting - the task of translation and interpreting; teaching and learning - principles and practice of language teaching and learning; foreigner talk - impressions of foreign languages, speech by and to foreigners. Part 3 Analyzing language: exposing language - terms and techniques for analyzing language, linguistics and philology; speaking - the nature and functions of speech and speaking; pronunciation - speech sounds, vocal organs and the sound of the voice; listening - the nature and functions of listening and hearing; reading - the nature and functions of reading and books; writing - the nature and functions of writing, techniques of successful writing; learning to read and write - literacy, spelling and its reform, writing systems; grammar - grammar, grammars and points of grammatical usage; dictionaries - dictionaries and lexicographers. Part 4 Good and bad language: the nature of eloquence - oratory, eloquence, rhetoric and other forms of good or bad expression; the art of conversation - conversational topics and strategies; subject-matter - topics, knowledge, opinions and beliefs as expressed by language; language clear and unclear - obscurity, vagueness, imprecision, ambiguity and other issues of clarity; saying too much - verbosity, long-windedness and other forms of excessive speech or writing; saying just enough - brevity, taciturnity, conciseness, and other forms of economy in speech or writing; keeping quiet - the nature and functions of silence and pause; friendly language - words of comfort, love, apology, gentleness, praise and tact; the language of flattery - flattering, smooth, and insincere language; unfriendly language - speaking or writing sharply, sarcasm, ridicule, anger, insult and slander; quarrels and arguments - quarrelling, disputing, arguing, and debating; truth and lies - telling the truth, lying, secrets, vows and other promises. Part 5 Words: words, words, words - words in general, their natur
