Language Culture

Unlock the hidden rhythms of Russian conversation with A Language Learner’s Guide to Russian Idioms, narrated by Ernest Timkin and crafted by linguist Dana Levina. This audiobook isn’t just about memorizing phrases—it’s a cultural passport, revealing how Russians weave humor, history, and wisdom into everyday speech. Imagine transforming awkward pauses into confident exchanges by knowing when to say someone’s “counting crows” (считать ворон) instead of daydreaming, or calling out empty promises as “noodles hung on ears” (вешать лапшу на уши).

Cues - the tiny signals we send to others 24/7 through our body language, facial expressions, word choices and vocal inflection - have a massive impact on how we, and our ideas, come across. Our cues can either enhance our message or undermine it. In this entertaining and accessible guide to the hidden language of cues, Vanessa Van Edwards teaches you how to convey power, trust, leadership, likability and charisma in every interaction.

Explore the world of names: What is something that literally everything in existence has in common? It all has a name! With this audiobook, you can learn the origins of these names. From countries and cities to toys and animals to even planets, learn the etymology of interesting words in a fun and entertaining way. Learn new things: Why is New York called New York? Name Explain has the answer for you.

With his characteristic clarity and elegance A. C. Grayling takes the listener from the worldviews and moralities before the age of the Buddha, Confucius and Socrates, through Christianity's dominance of the European mind, to the Renaissance and Enlightenment, and on to Mill, Nietzsche, Sartre and philosophy today. And, since the story of philosophy is incomplete without mention of the great philosophical traditions of India, China and the Persian-Arabic world, he gives a comparative survey of them, too.

Real Japanese is a blend of short stories, key phrases, and language learning tips to get you started in Japanese. It also shows you the key differences between formal and everyday Japanese, which is a game changer and completely lacking from most Japanese language books.

Are you ready to transform your understanding of Spanish and immerse yourself in Mexico's rich culture? "Mexican Spanish for Beginners" is more than just a language course; it's your personal guide to a vibrant linguistic journey!

Most of us use the term sense of place often and rather carelessly when we think of nature or home or literature. Our senses of place, however, come not only from our individual experiences but also from our cultures. Wisdom Sits in Places, the first sustained study of places and place explores place, places, and what they mean to a particular group of people, the Western Apache in Arizona. For more than 30 years, Keith Basso has been doing fieldwork among the Western Apache, and now he shares with us what he has learned of Apache place-names.

In a sweeping synthesis of new research in a number of different disciplines, this book argues that we humans are not who we think we are. As he explores the interconnections between cutting-edge work in bioanthropology, evolutionary biology, neuroscience, human language and learning, and beyond, James Paul Gee advances, also, a personal philosophy of language, learning, and culture, informed by his decades of work across linguistics and the social sciences.

"The Language of the Rising Sun" is a comprehensive guide crafted to unravel the intricate tapestry of Japan's language and its intimate connection to the nation's vibrant heritage. From the beauty of its characters to the depths of its grammar, this book navigates the terrain of Japanese, offering a pathway to not just linguistic proficiency but a profound appreciation for Japan's rich cultural legacy.

This audiobook offers an overview of different aspects of Hawaiian and contains a Hawaiian language course at three levels of complexity—basic, intermediate, and advanced together with review material. This is an ideal way to get more out of your trip to Hawaii with a better understanding of both the language and culture after listening to this audiobook.

You will have a different understanding of social interaction when you are done with this book. If you’re ready to improve your social skills and enjoy the tranquil and colorful life of Japan, then buy Japanese Language & Culture now. It’s up to you to take action and reap the rewards waiting for you!

From Anna Akhmatova to Stefan Zweig, via Charles de Gaulle, Hitler, Thomas Mann and Charlie Chaplin, this varied and unfailingly absorbing book is both story and history, both public memoir and personal record - and provides an essential field-guide to the vast movements of taste, intellect, politics and delusion that helped to prepare the times we live in now.

This is the incredible story of the world's greatest conqueror, a man who single handedly changed the course of history...and who was worshipped as a god. There have been many attempts in the 2,300 years since Alexander's death to tell the epic story of this enigmatic soldier. His deeds read like the stuff of legends. Of all the chroniclers of Alexander, and there have been many famous ones, including Plutarch and Ptolemy, none have given us a clearer and truer account than the one by Arrian.

“Let’s discuss . . .” These two words began the viral sensation that is @LandonTalks led by the sharp-witted, down-home, Mississippi-born Landon Bryant. If there’s one thing Landon knows, it’s the South. His anthropological dissections of customs and traditions celebrating all things Southern are a mix of humor, history, and head nodding. In his debut book, Landon discusses everything you've ever wanted to know about the South, including why they say the things they say, why they eat the things they eat, and what it really means when someone says, "Bless your heart."

Continuing a century-long tradition of cutting-edge literary excellence, this year's edition contains twenty prizewinning stories chosen from the thousands published in magazines over the previous year. Guest editor Lauren Groff has brought her own refreshing perspective to the prize, selecting stories by an engaging mix of celebrated names and emerging voices and including several stories in translation.

Are you learning Italian? Knowing more words is one of the best ways to speak and understand more Italian. And, if you want to sound like a native speaker, you'll need vocab that's relevant to Italian culture and daily life and that is actually used by Italian people. With Learn Italian: Discover Italian Culture & Traditions by ItalianPod101.com, you learn the must-know vocab and Italian cultural insights that you won't find in a textbook.

Are you learning Thai? Knowing more words is one of the best ways to speak and understand more Thai. And, if you want to sound like a native speaker, you'll need vocab that's relevant to Thai culture and daily life and that is actually used by Thai people. With Learn Thai: Discover Thai Culture & Traditions by ThaiPod101.com, you learn the must-know vocab and Thai cultural insights that you won't find in a textbook.

Have you ever seen a Shakespeare play and come away without fully understanding it? Or wished you had known the basis of the plot before seeing a play by Shakespeare? Are you studying Shakespeare? Would you like to increase your knowledge of the plays without reading the originals? Then these are the recordings for you!

Learn French with Short Stories is your passport to mastering French while enjoying the adventures of Clara. This book is not just a language guide; it's a gateway to experiencing the vibrancy of French culture and language through enthralling narratives.

In folktales, the trickster can be the wise one or the fool, the one who fools or the one who is fooled. That is why children of all ages enjoy hearing these tales. The psychology of childhood is pretty much the same everywhere, giving these enjoyable stories universal appeal.