Are you ready to embark on an exciting journey of languages through continents, countries and cultures? Where did the word "banana" originate? What is the world's most secret language? Which word is universally understood? Find out answers to all these questions and more as you travel across the globe to explore the complexity, beauty and variety of languages.Discover the well-known and the rare languages spoken in every country on a map of each continent. Pore over vibrant and exquisite language family trees that show how different languages have grown, developed and connected over time. Then explore the languages in more detail - how many people speak them, how to pronounce a fun phrase, and why they are so important to a nation's identity and culture.The beautiful illustrations by Jenny Zemanek bring every page to life, while the engaging text written by Rachel Lancashire makes every fascinating fact clear and accessible.