Banter, chit-chat, gossip, natter, tete-a-tete: these are just a few of the terms for the varied ways in which we interact with one another through conversation. David Crystal explores the factors that motivate so many different kinds of talk and reveals the rules we use unconsciously, even in the most routine exchanges of everyday conversation. We tend to think of conversation as something spontaneous, instinctive, habitual. It has been described as an art, as a game, sometimes even as a battle. Whichever metaphor we use, most people are unaware of what the rules are, how they work, and how we can bend and break them when circumstances warrant it.

About the Author
David Crystal is known throughout the world as a writer, editor, lecturer, and broadcaster on language. He has published extensively on the history and development of English, including Begat: The King James Bible and the English Language (2010), The Story of English in 100 Words (2011), Spell It Out: The Singular Story of English Spelling (2012), Wordsmiths and Warriors: The English-Language Tourist's Guide to Britain (with Hilary Crystal, 2013), The Oxford Dictionary of Original Shakespearean Pronunciation (2016), and The Story of Be: A Verb's-Eye View of the English Language (2017).

Reviews
A useful addition to an English teacher's armoury and certain to pique students' interest in the language that happens all around them, all the time... Let's Talk is a powerful statement about our species and the centrality to it of conversation in all its collaborative glory. * Nikolai Luck, Teaching English *
For Crystal, the aim of a conversation is to make everyone happy or, at least, satisfied at the end ... [he] has definitely achieved that. * Training, Language & Culture *
For the teacher or advanced student there are masses of insights in the book and examples of how language is used to manage conversation... For Crystal the aim of a conversation is to make every-one happy or, at least, satisfied at the end. Citing Dr Johnson once again, conversation should create 'a pleasing impression'. David Crystal has definitely achieved that. * Barry Tomalin, Training, Language & Culture *
I've always enjoyed Crystal's books and this one was no exception... it's certainly a good read I would recommend to anyone with an interest in language or conversation. * Shiny New Books *



Book Information
ISBN 9780198850694
Author David Crystal
Format Hardback
Page Count 224
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 339g
Dimensions(mm) 222mm * 141mm * 22mm