Writing is not language, but merely a way or recording language
we can not foretell what one person will say but if we found it possible and worthwhile to register every speech-utterance in a large community, we should doubtless be able to foretell how many times any utterance would be spoken, especially about the changes that are constantly going on in every language. 

Review: Language

A revised version of Introduction to the Study of Language, 1914. "The deep-rooted things about language, which mean most to all of us, are usually ignored in all but very advanced studies; this book tries to tell about them in simple terms and to show their bearing on human affairs. (vii) Read full review

Review: Language

Not my favourite linguist, but this book is good enough for introduction to linguistics. Read full review

Review: Language

I love Leonard Bloomfield and it's pretty much because of this book. Language is fun and accessible, and while some of it has not stood the test of time, a lot of it has and it is still a terrific ... Read full review

Review: The Philosophy of Symbolic Forms: Volume 1: Language

maybe the best book of the 20th century. Cassirer predates neurolinguistics with a wry, devastating summary of linguistics, philosophy and anthropology, essentially restarting all three fields as a ... Read full review

Review: Language

One of the first serious books I read about linguistics. Read full review