Items related to Mother Tongue
Bill Bryson's Mother Tongue is a hymn to the English language. In examining how a second-rate, mongrel tongue came to be the undisputed language of the globe, Bryson explores English from America to Australia and looks at, among other things, swearing, spelling, spoonerisms and Scrabble. No self-respecting English speaker should open his mouth without reading it.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review:
Who would have thought that a book about the English language would be so entertaining? Certainly not this grammar-allergic reviewer, but The Mother Tongue pulls it off admirably. Bill Bryson--a zealot--is the right man for the job. Who else could rhapsodise about "the colourless murmur of the schwa" with a straight face? It is his unflagging enthusiasm, seeping from between every sentence, that carries the book.
Review:
Bryson displays an encyclopedic knowledge of his topic, and this inevitably encourages a light tone; the more you know about a subject, the more absurd it becomes. No jokes are necessary, the facts do well enough by themselves, and Bryson supplies tens per page. As well as tossing off gems of fractured English (from a Japanese eraser: "This product will self- destruct in Mother Earth."), Bryson frequently takes time to compare the idiosyncratic tongue with other languages. Not only does this give a laugh (one word: Welsh), and always shed considerable light, it also makes the reader feel fortunate to speak English.
"Complex and maddeningly illogical though it is, English is spoken by more than 300 million people around the world...Its story has been told before, but seldom as deftly or as memorably...An enthralling excursion...A motherlode of delectable trivia."--Burt Hochburg, "The New York Times Book Review""Diverting and richly anecdotal...Bryson is an unalloyed fan who relishes the language's versatility, verb hoard and vast vocabulary."--Robert Taylor, "Boston Globe""Vastly informative and vastly entertaining...A scholarly and fascinating book."--Fred S. Holley, "Los Angeles Times"
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherClearway Logistics Phase 1a
- ISBN 10 1405614722
- ISBN 13 9781405614726
- BindingUnknown Binding
- Rating
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace
Stock Image
Mother Tongue
Published by
Clearway Logistics Phase 1a
ISBN 10: 1405614722
ISBN 13: 9781405614726
Used
Paperback
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Good. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine. Seller Inventory # GOR002601771
Buy Used
£ 0.79
Convert currency
Stock Image
Mother Tongue
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Unknown Binding. Condition: Very Good. Mother Tongue This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 7719-9781405614726
Buy Used
£ 3.42
Convert currency
Stock Image
Mother Tongue
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Unknown Binding. Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 6545-9781405614726
Buy Used
£ 3.42
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Mother Tongue : English and How It Got That Way
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: Good. Ships from the UK. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # GRP29636149
Buy Used
£ 3.24
Convert currency
Stock Image
Mother Tongue: The English Language
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: Fair. This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside.This book has soft covers. Clean from markings. In fair condition, suitable as a study copy. Large print. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item,650grams, ISBN:9781405614726. Seller Inventory # 9901526
Buy Used
£ 3.81
Convert currency
Stock Image
Mother Tongue
Published by
Clearway Logistics Phase 1a
ISBN 10: 1405614722
ISBN 13: 9781405614726
Used
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description unknown_binding. Condition: Good. Ex-library book, usual marking. Clean copy in good condition. Quick dispatch from UK seller. Seller Inventory # mon0000400073
Buy Used
£ 0.80
Convert currency