Don't Sleep, There Are Snakes: Life And Language In The Amazonian Jungle

'An astonishing book: a work of exploration, into the most distant place and language, but also a revelation of the way language is shaped by thought and circumstance' The Times

Although Daniel Everett was a missionary, far from converting the Pirahãs, they converted him. He shows the slow, meticulous steps by which he gradually mastered their language and his gradual realisation that its unusual nature closely reflected its speakers' startlingly original perceptions of the world.Everett describes how he began to realise that his discoveries about the Pirahã language opened up a new way of understanding how language works in our minds and in our lives, and that this way was utterly at odds with Noam Chomsky's universally accepted linguistic theories. The perils of passionate academic opposition were then swiftly conjoined to those of the Amazon in a debate whose outcome has yet to be won. Everett's views are most recently discussed in Tom Wolfe's bestselling The Kingdom of Speech.Adventure, personal enlightenment and the makings of a scientific revolution proceed together in this vivid, funny and moving book.

'Destined to become a classic' - The Independent

'Everett writes simply and persuasively about language ... a fascinating thesis ... his courage and conviction should give linguists pause for thought' - Guardian

'A remarkable book. It is written with an immediacy even a Pirahã might envy, and its conjunction of physical and intellectual adventure is irresistible' - Sunday Times

'This is an astonishing book: a work of exploration, into the most distant place and language, but also a revelation of the way language is shaped by thought and circumstance.' - The Times

'Fascinating' - The Times

'Going native' has seldom led to a book as challenging and appealing as this memoir - Independent

'Thorough, thought-provoking ... vivid details are combined with broader questions' - Independent on Sunday

'Quite extraordinary' - Sunday Tribune

SPECIFICATIONS:

Author:Daniel Everett - Дэниел Эверетт

Publisher:Profile Books

Language:English

Publication Date:2009

Number of pages:320 pst

Format:Paperback

Width:128 mm / 5'

Height:196 mm / 7,7'

Weight:242 g

ISBN:9781846680403