This book demonstrates the extent and importance of language play in human life and draws out the implications for applied linguistics and language teaching. It stresses how language play is central to human thought and culture, learning, creativity, and intellectual development.

Part One The interlocking levels
1. The forms of language play: rhythm and repetition in children's verse
2. The meanings of language play: imaginary worlds
3. The uses of language play: competition and collaboration

Part Two THeories and explanations
4. The nature of play: evolutionary and cultural perspectives
5. The play of nature: randomness and creativity

Part Three Language learning
6. Current orthodoxies in language teaching
7. Future prospects for language teaching

Winner of the 1999 Kenneth W. Mildenberger Prize, Modern Language Association of America.