From the Life of Words and Languages. Lectures on Linguistics for Schoolchildren

The book brings together ten lectures by the outstanding linguist Andrei Anatolyevich Zaliznyak, delivered at the Moscow school "Mumi-Troll" from 2005 to 2017. Without requiring special preparation from young listeners, the author gradually reveals the complex mechanisms of the structure and change of language, which appears as a coherent and understandable system. The variety of chosen topics—from the origins of everyday Russian words to the structure of Sanskrit and Arabic—creates a comprehensive picture of linguistics, its methods, and possibilities, while the preserved vibrant atmosphere of dialogue with the audience brings these topics closer to the reader.
The book will be an indispensable guide for anyone interested in linguistics, seeking to understand the meaning of words more deeply, or simply enjoying intellectual challenges.