With dazzling wit and astonishing insight, Bill Bryson — the acclaimed author of The Lost Continent — brilliantly explores the remarkable history, eccentricities, resilience and sheer fun of the English language. From the first descent of the larynx into the throat (why you can talk but your dog can’t), to the fine lost art of swearing, Bryson tells the fascinating, often uproarious story of an … story of an inadequate, second-rate tongue of peasants that developed into one of the world’s largest growth industries.
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Great humor and well penned, as usual from Bryson
Another winner by Bill Bryson. He makes learning about our language fun!
Interesting read!
Bryson is always worth the read.
Fascinating to learn the origins of the English language.
What a great way to learn about the origins and idiosyncrasies of the English language. I loved this book!
A bit of a slog frankly…only Mr. Byson’s wit makes it worth the read. Not something that I would describe as a page turner but definitely informative
Informative
Anything by Bryson is worth reading, This was excellent!
I am a great fan of Bill Bryson’s work, so when The Mother Tongue popped up in Book Bub earlier this summer, I had to read it. As I did so, I could not escape the nagging question, “Have I read this before?” Unfortunately, I was high over the Pacific, with no wi-fi, on my way to a completely disconnected vacation. I would have to wait until I got home for the answer.
No, no, I did not read this before. What I did read was Melvyn Bragg’s The Adventure of English, which covers much of the same ground, and which I much preferred. Both mine the history of the language seeking to answer such questions as where our words come from, how English has evolved, and where it is headed. Even a linguistics major needn’t read both.
Bryson fans, stick with walking in the woods.
(This review was originally published at http://www.thisyearinbooks.com/2015/08/the-mother-tongue-english-and-how-it.html)
Bill Bryson is a modern day version of Mark Twain. I love England and I love good writing. Mr Bryson tales reminded me of what I love about my ancestral homeland
Not a bad read but there ate better Bryson books.
Highly informative and entertaining. The man knows how to write.