This book investigates the diverse ways in which the concept of 'word' is understood and categorized across different languages. It examines the semantic and grammatical functions that define a 'word' in various linguistic systems, challenging the universality of the Western concept of the word. The authors, renowned linguists, draw upon extensive fieldwork and comparative analysis to present a nuanced understanding of linguistic structures.

The book is recognized as a significant contribution to linguistic typology, offering a comprehensive and detailed exploration of the concept of the 'word' across a wide array of languages. Scholars in the field have noted its rigorous methodology and the breadth of its comparative data. It is considered an essential text for understanding cross-linguistic variation in grammatical and semantic structures.