Language Shock: Understanding The Culture Of Conversation

When I went to a recent conference on this topic, nearly all the scholars cited this work. That's especially interesting because it's written for the lay reader, not for scholars. Yet the book accomplishes its goal. It presents in clear terms some of the many reasons that it's hard to communicate with people from other language groups. Cultural expectations so often get in the way, or at the very least, they complicate things.Agar spent a long time in Austria, so he has many useful personal experiences to draw upon. His book makes it clear that communicating to people of other cultures is a tremendous feat. So many things can go wrong! But in this global world, developing the savvy to talk to international colleagues is crucial. Although Agar's book was published nearly twenty years ago, it's still very useful. For teachers who will have second-language writers in their classrooms, the book should be on a must-read list.

One of my top 3 favorite anthropology books of all time. Lays out some of the major issues in linguistic anthropology in a clear and engaging way, and never loses sight of the human experience that is the raison d'etre of ethnographic analysis. His concept of "rich points" in language is one I've used in my own writing and teaching. Very sad that we recently lost this innovative scholar and great human being. RIP Mike.

Has some interesting points, but rife with redundant anecdotes. Hard to find any true epiphanies in this text.

Enjoyed this reading very much!

I purchased this as a gift for a dear friend. He loves this book. IT was a wonderful purchase for people that are interested in this topic.

good book

I went to school with the author, Mike Agar. We just saw each other at our class reunion.Great book.Thank you

One of the worst text books I have ever read. This is nonsense. Some on used this as a basis for a thesis. Should be less than a star.

Very interesting. Good account of how language and culture are intertwined.

Livro exelente. Sem questionamentos