Don't Sleep, There are Snakes by Daniel Everett

Don't Sleep, There are Snakes by Daniel Everett

Daniel Everett, then a Christian missionary, arrived among the Pirah in 1977-with his wife and three young children-intending to convert them. What he found was a language that defies all existing linguistic theories and reflects a way of life that evades contemporary understanding: The Pirah have no counting system and no fixed terms for color. They have no concept of war or of personal property. They live entirely in the present. Everett became obsessed with their language and its cultural and linguistic implications, and with the remarkable contentment with which they live-so much so that he eventually lost his faith in the God he'd hoped to introduce to them. Over three decades, Everett spent a total of seven years among the Pirah , and his account of this lasting sojourn is an engrossing exploration of language that questions modern linguistic theory. It is also an anthropological investigation, an adventure story, and a riveting memoir of a life profoundly affected by exposure to a different culture. Written with extraordinary acuity, sensitivity, and openness, it is fascinating from first to last, rich with unparalleled insight into the nature of language, thought, and life itself.

Destined to become a classic -- David Papineau * The Independent *
Everett writes simply and persuasively about language.. a fascinating thesis ... his courage and conviction should give linguists pause for thought -- Andrew Anthony * 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 -- John Carey * 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. -- Ben Macintyre * The Times *
Fascinating * The Times *
"Going native" has seldom led to a book as challenging and appealing as this memoir -- Boyd Tonkin * Independent *
Thorough, thought-provoking ... vivid details are combined with broader questions -- Anita Sethi * Independent on Sunday *
Quite extraordinary * Sunday Tribune *

Daniel Everett was born in California. He lived for many years in the Amazon jungle and conducted research on over a dozen indigenous languages of Brazil. He has published on sound structure, grammar, meaning, culture and language. He has been the subject of endless controversy in academic circles and is currently Professor of Linguistics at Illinois State University.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781846680403
ISBN 10	1846680409
Title	Don't Sleep, There are Snakes
Author	Daniel Everett
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Profile Books Ltd
Year published	2009-08-06
Number of pages	320
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.