Four Words for Friend: Why Using More Than One Language Matters Now More Than Ever - Hardcover

A compelling argument about the importance of using more than one language in today&;s world

In a world that has English as its global language and rapidly advancing translation technology, it&;s easy to assume that the need to use more than one language will diminish&;but Marek Kohn argues that plural language use is more important than ever. In a divided world, it helps us to understand ourselves and others better, to live together better, and to make the most of our various cultures.
 
Kohn, whom the Guardian has called &;one of the best science writers we have,&; brings together perspectives from psychology, evolutionary thought, politics, literature, and everyday experience. He explores how people acquire languages; how they lose them; how they can regain them; how different languages may affect people&;s perceptions, their senses of self, and their relationships with each other; and how to resolve the fundamental contradiction of languages, that they exist as much to prevent communication as to make it happen.