SKU: 97991821041

Don't Believe a Word: The Surprising Truth about Language

Sale price$21.38 Regular price$23.76
Save 10%

Pay in installments of $5.94 with ShopPay, AfterPay and Klarna

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours Β· Estimated delivery Aug 19 - Aug 24

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

Don't Believe a Word: The Surprising Truth about LanguageThink you know language? Think again. There are languages that change when your mother in law is present. The language you speak could make you more prone to accidents. Swear words are produced in a special part of your brain. Over the past few decades, we have reached new frontiers of linguistic knowledge. Linguists can now explain how and why language changes, describe its structures, and map its activity in the brain. But despite these advances,

Think you know language? Think again.

  • There are languages that change when your mother-in-law is present.
  • The language you speak could make you more prone to accidents.
  • Swear words are produced in a special part of your brain.

Over the past few decades, we have reached new frontiers of linguistic knowledge. Linguists can now explain how and why language changes, describe its structures, and map its activity in the brain. But despite these advances, much of what people believe about language is based on folklore, instinct, or hearsay. We imagine a word's origin is it's "true" meaning, that foreign languages are full of "untranslatable" words, or that grammatical mistakes undermine English.

In Don't Believe A Word, linguist David Shariatmadari takes us on a mind-boggling journey through the science of language, urging us to abandon our prejudices in a bid to uncover the (far more interesting) truth about what we do with words.

Exploding nine widely held myths about language while introducing us to some of the fundamental insights of modern linguistics, Shariatmadari is an energetic guide to the beauty and quirkiness of humanity's greatest achievement.



Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Published: 01/07/2020
ISBN: 9781324004257
Pages: 336
Weight: 1.10lbs
Size: 9.30h x 6.30w x 1.10d

Review Citations: Publishers Weekly 10/14/2019
Kirkus Reviews 10/15/2019
Booklist 12/15/2019 pg. 85
Shelf Awareness 01/31/2020
Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 97991821041

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.3 β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…
Based on 24 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
D
Verified Purchase
Doug Jones
Belleville, US
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜… 5
Very fun interactive toy
Color: Brown/Wild Duck, Size: Medium
This toy is very versatile. There's no stuffing yet it's very soft so it can be used as a tug toy. It also makes for a fun fetch toy because it has a cavity to put a water bottle. It gives your dog something that crinkles and can be pierced when bitten and easily replaced with another empty bottle whenever necessary. That is what really makes this toy the standout of all the ones offered by Best Pet imo. I don't expect this to last forever but once my pup gets bigger we'll probably get the large size for her because there's not too many all in one fetch and tug toys at an affordable price.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2026
C
Verified Purchase
Cowey Crew
Carnegie, US
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜… 4
Great Toy, but Big Dogs Destroy the Squeakers Fast
Color: Wild Duck, Hare, Squirrel & Alligator, Size: Large
My big dogs had the squeaker torn out in no time, but my little dog absolutely loves this toy. It’s the perfect size for her, and she carries it everywhere. Durable enough for small pups, just not tough enough for heavy chewers. Still a fun toy overall!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2026
L
Verified Purchase
Leigh Evans
Charlottesville, US
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜… 5
Fun for dogs
Color: Green/Alligator, Size: Small
Smaller than I expected, but the two little dogs love it! They love shaking it, making it squeak, tugging it against each other & chasing it when I throw it to fetch. They often sleep laying on it.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2026
A
Verified Purchase
AngelKlein2275
Natrona Heights, US
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜… 3
WEIRD feature - requires a water bottle
Color: Cow, Size: Large
Cute, but buyer beware. Maybe the description said this, but who would think to read for this.... You have to insert an empty bottle (like an old water bottle) for it to make the crinkle noise. There is a velcro spot at the base where you can open it and insert the water bottle for the noise factor and your dogs entertainment. I've yet to do that, but feel like my dog is gonna figure out the velcro and get the bottle out in no time. Seems like a waste of money. I could just give her an empty water bottle without the toy for free.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2026
A
Verified Purchase
Alice
Fort Morgan, US
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜… 5
Best dog toy!
Color: Multicolor/Alligator & Wild Duck, Size: Medium, Color: Multicolor/Alligator & Wild Duck, Size: Medium
Best dog toy! Most dog toys lady maybe a week or less but this one has been going strong for almost 2 months. Both the squeekers still work on both toys i purchased. My vizsla loves ti squeek and carry it around. We added an empty water bottle in the pocket cavity for some extra fun! Yes, we are still on the same water bottle! Fantastic durability.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2026

recommand products