New book by UvA language researchers and lecturers available in bookstores

A new book titled “De wereld in taal – een reis in 40 verhalen” is now available in bookstores! This special work, written by language researchers and lecturers from the University of Amsterdam (UvA), is the third book published through collaborative effort, following the 2022 release of “Taalmysteries”. 

The book has been coordinated by Alla Peeters, a lecturer in Russian and Slavic linguistics, and Petra Sleeman, a lecturer in French linguistics, both affiliated with UvA. Their combined expertise forms a solid foundation for exploring linguistic diversity and the intricate stories that languages convey. The book is available in bookstores now, including online retailers. 

Exploring language and travel 

The overarching theme of the book is traveling the world through language. These journeys can be close to home in the Netherlands, but also extend to Europe and other continents. The book explores various aspects such as the journey words take, learning other languages for travel, or the journey of literary works. The result? A collection of surprising stories about the unique characteristics of both well-known and lesser-known languages. 

The book answers intriguing questions such as: 

• How do you travel from ‘dry’ to ‘drugs’? 
• In which language is it easiest to do arithmetic? 
• What did Peter the Great bring back to Russia from his travels through Europe? 
• What is the function of the concept ‘travel’ in our everyday language? 
• How effective are language learning apps? 
• What is Namdeutsch? 
• What is the most translated poem and why? 
• Is there a relationship between culture and a country’s sign language? 
• How can your native language help you integrate into another country? 
• What is the influence of reading on our language abilities? 
• What is the connection between The Three Musketeers and the Académie française?

Support from IXA-UvA 

The publication was supported by the efforts of IXA-UvA, which facilitated the collaboration with publisher Lias, and a contribution from the UvA Valorisation Fund. IXA-UvA brought its expertise in business development and contract formation to ensure the development and publication of the book. This support highlights IXA-UvA’s role in facilitating interdisciplinary cooperation and its the role in bridging the gap between academic research and the broader public. 

De wereld in taal – een reis in 40 verhalen, by Alla Peeters and Petra Sleeman and others, is available now.