Language Myths, Mysteries and Magic

Can a bump on the head cause someone to speak with a different accent? Can animals, aliens, and objects talk? Can we communicate with gods, demons, and the dead? Language Myths, Mysteries and Magic is a curio shop full of colourful superstitions, folklore, and legends about language.

Covers a wide range of topics, from speaking in tongues to psychic predictions Very accessible title, written in an engaging style and full of fascinating facts and stories Presents a critical, scientifically balanced argument, with interdisciplinary appeal - across Language and Linguistics, Psychology and Skepticism

Autorentext

Karen Stollznow is a linguist with a background in history and anthropology. She is a columnist, podcaster, and the author of God Bless America and Haunting America. Karen was a researcher at the University of California, Berkeley, and has spent many years teaching and writing about a diverse array of topics, including language, culture, religion, and unusual beliefs and practices. Karen was born in Sydney, and has a PhD in linguistics from the University of New England, Australia. She currently lives in Denver, Colorado.

Inhalt
PART I: MAGICAL LANGUAGE 1. Curses, Charms and Taboos 2. Divination 3. Prediction 4. Prayer 5. Chain Letters PART II: POSSESSED LANGUAGE 6. Foreign Accent Syndrome 7. Xenoglossia 8. Speaking in Tongues 9. Psychic Mediums and Channelers 10. Automatic Writing PART III: HIDDEN LANGUAGE 11. Voices of the Dead 12. Backmasking 13. Reverse Speech 14. The Bible Code 15. Secret Symbols PART IV; INHUMAN LANGUAGE 16. Talking Animals 17. Pet Psychics and Psychic Pets 18. Monster Language 19. Alien Language 20. Talking Objects PART V: THERAPUTIC LANGUAGE 21. Graphology 22. Speech and Sound Therapies 23. Neuro-Linguistic Programming 24. Hypnosis 25 Body Language