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The Mother Tongue: English and How it Got that Way Kindle Edition

by Bill Bryson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 7,269 ratings
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“Vastly informative and vastly entertaining…A scholarly and fascinating book.” —Los Angeles Times

With dazzling wit and astonishing insight, Bill Bryson 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 inadequate, second-rate tongue of peasants that developed into one of the world’s largest growth industries.

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  1. Print length
    274 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    William Morrow Paperbacks
  5. Publication date
    June 2, 2015
  6. File size
    2032 KB
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  8. Word Wise
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  9. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Who would have thought that a book about English 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 rhapsodize about "the colorless murmur of the schwa" with a straight face? It is his unflagging enthusiasm, seeping from between every sentence, that carries the book.

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.

From Publishers Weekly

Bryson's blend of linguistic anecdotes and Anglo-Saxon cultural history proves entertaining but superficial. "While his historical review is thorough. . . he mostly reiterates conventional views about English's structural superiority," said PW. "He retells old tales with fresh verve . . . but becomes sloppy when matters of rhetoric and grammar arise."
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00T3DR56C
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ William Morrow Paperbacks; Reissue edition (June 2, 2015)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 2, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2032 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 274 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 7,269 ratings

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  1. Bill Bryson

    Bill Bryson

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    Bill Bryson was born in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1951. Settled in England for many years, he moved to America with his wife and four children for a few years ,but has since returned to live in the UK. His bestselling travel books include The Lost Continent, Notes From a Small Island, A Walk in the Woods and Down Under. His acclaimed work of popular science, A Short History of Nearly Everything, won the Aventis Prize and the Descartes Prize, and was the biggest selling non-fiction book of the decade in the UK.

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  2. Arben Puto

    Arben Puto

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    Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
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7,269 global ratings
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Top reviews from the United States

Claire_Ehr
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, engaging read! Wish there was more...
Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2018
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Ever wanted to know how many meanings the word “set” can convey? Or how we got the word dollar from Joachimsthaler? Or why we’re told to never end a sentence with a preposition (and why we most certainly should be able to)? In The Mother Tongue: English and How It Got That Way, Bill Bryson offers the reader a romp through the history of the English language and its formation. Bryson’s comedic style, along with his depth of research, makes this book simultaneously an informative and enjoyable read.
Bryson seemingly effortlessly traverses all aspects of language, from the biological formation of sound to inventive uses of those sounds such as swearing and wordplay. By utilizing a large timescale, Bryson sets us up to childishly wonder at the trivialities of language and question the particular grammatical and spelling rules upon which teachers, social organizations, and political bodies insist. This questioning breaks down social and national barriers, as the reader becomes familiar with how languages intersect and inform each other. In a political environment where English is oft prioritized, this text reminds the reader that English cannot exist without influence of and continued exposure to other languages. Politics aside, the book also provides the reader with a stunning variety of trivia which, while not necessarily directly important information, illuminates language use and brings a new joy to using and choosing words to speak and write.
If the book suffers from any particular fault, it would be that it was written in 1990. With the advent of the internet, I suspect that this book could use an update, specifically when speculating about “The Future of English.” As national boundaries seem to dissolve when confronted with the all-encompassing rhizome of the internet, the language that matters most may be the one the is most common on the internet. While this is still English, it is a form of English which I would love to read Bryson’s thoughts on. Having said this, the scope of the history of the English language is so vast that even though Bryson does not analyze the last 30 years, the reader accrues a wealth of knowledge and ignited love of language that is well worth dipping into this book and seeing what gems it has in store.
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Alan A. Elsner
4.0 out of 5 stars Breezy and entertaining look at our language
Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2015
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This breezy book, based mostly on the scholarly contributions of others, examines the English language from many different angles. There are chapters on how the language developed, on slang, on names, on the development of dictionaries and crossword puzzles, on pronunciations and spelling, what constitutes good English and what constitutes bad , on the way foreigners speak English, on swearing and puns -- you name it,. It is very comprehensive and very entertaining. Bryson is a skilled story-teller and has obviously read widely and studied hard. One can learn here that the word "deer" once meant all animals (from the German Tier), that sweetheart was once "sweetard" (as in dullard and dotard), that the word "boondocks" comes from the Tagalog language of the Philippines; that canal and channel were once the same word; that sordid and swarthy come from the same Latin word meaning to be soiled or dirty -- and much more.

My one criticism (which really isn't a criticism) is that the book is a bit dated. It appeared in the early 1990s before we really entered the Internet age and most of the examples comes from the 1980s and earlier. Obviously, everything in the book remains valid -- but the language has developed by leaps and bounds since then. We now communicate through texting, tweets and emoticons. I think there is a good case for this book to be updated.
12 people found this helpful
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Pamela Bell
5.0 out of 5 stars English as it was and is
Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2017
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Dare I, as a layman with no background in linguistics, type a review on Bill Bryson's wonderful book on the English language? Here goes anyway. This is an interesting, informative and amusing piece of literature (yes, I actually laughed out loud at his section on English grammar, which is more than those jokey novels full of wit and lampoonery have caused me to do). It discusses topics such as origins of our ever evolving English language, pronunciations of different regions, spelling (including history of), correct and incorrect usage of words, swearing, and the list goes on and on. Due to the book's ambitious coverage of spoken and written English, some of its pages may not be researched thoroughly (as a Finnish reviewer also points out). For example, to state that Australians "... spell many words the American way - labor rather than labour, for instance" is definitely wrong. Across our nation, we continue to embrace English spelling. In Australian English, it is correct to spell labour with a 'u' (with the exception of the Australian Labor Party which was influenced by the US labour movement in 1912 and adopted their American spelling). Vigour is spelled vigour, and not vigor; savour is spelled savour, and not savor; litre is spelled litre, and not liter; centre is spelled centre, and not center; caulk is spelled caulk, and not calk; grey is spelled grey, and not gray; and so forth. Also, Sydney-siders do not pronounce 'girl' in the clipped English manner of 'gel' unless they are someone's maiden aunt recently arrived from the UK. We Aussies tend to say 'gerl' and even slightly draw out the 'er' sound. Plus, we still more often eat 'biscuits' rather than 'cookies' and 'post' letters more often than we 'mail' them. We are not quite as Americanised as Bryson claims. He is at least correct in saying that Australia has three layers of social accent: British-sounding; broad working-class; and something in the middle. The 'strine' he cites is an exaggerated accent used by comedians from our Greek community in their comedy sketches (or that's the only place I've heard it). But I forgive Bryson for these anomalies because, despite the fact that some of his material may be dubious or reckless in its assertions, this is still a very entertaining and educative book. If you love English words in all their wonderful, evolving configurations and aural peculiarities, then put on your linguistic armour (note my Australian English spelling) and go boldly forward into these pages telling the story of the curious and ever-changing eccentricities of our mother tongue.
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Top reviews from other countries

Michael
5.0 out of 5 stars The English language is bizarre
Reviewed in Canada on November 1, 2023
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To paraphrase Arthur C. Clarke: The English language isn't stranger than you imagine, it is stranger than you can imagine! Great reading. Keep a copy in the "library".
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Javier García
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating book
Reviewed in Spain on October 20, 2023
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"The Mother Tongue: English and How It Got That Way" is a fascinating book written by Bill Bryson that explores the origins and evolution of the English language. Bryson takes readers on a linguistic journey through time, delving into the various events, influences, and quirks that have shaped the English language into what it is today.

One of the book's strengths lies in Bryson's ability to present complex linguistic concepts in an accessible and entertaining manner. He effortlessly weaves together historical anecdotes, etymological explanations, and humorous observations, making the subject matter both educational and enjoyable for readers of all backgrounds.

Bryson delves into the diverse origins of English, highlighting how the language has absorbed elements from various Celtic, Latin, French, and Germanic languages over the centuries. He explores the impact of historical events such as the Norman Conquest and the Renaissance, which profoundly influenced the vocabulary and grammar of English. Additionally, he discusses the often overlooked role of everyday individuals in shaping the language, from playwrights like Shakespeare to ordinary people who have contributed new words and phrases.

Throughout the book, Bryson also sheds light on the quirks and idiosyncrasies of English, addressing topics such as spelling, pronunciation, and regional dialects. He provides illuminating insights into why English is such a challenging language to learn, and he delves into its ever-evolving nature, where words continually change in meaning and new terms are constantly being added.

"The Mother Tongue" not only presents a comprehensive account of the history of the English language but also explores its global impact. Bryson delves into how English has become a dominant language worldwide, focusing on its spread during the British Empire and its current prevalence as a lingua franca.

Overall, "The Mother Tongue" is an engaging and informative exploration of the English language. Bryson's wit, extensive research, and passion for his subject shine through, making this book a must-read for anyone interested in language, history, or culture.
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k-a-w
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 15, 2023
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Yet another excellent page turner by the ‘pen’ of Bill Bryson. Packed full of amazing information, although basically a factual book it is presented in the typical Bryson manner of being a brilliant read. As are all of his books this one is a top recommendation.
One person found this helpful
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Gabriela Sañudo
5.0 out of 5 stars Great an funny
Reviewed in Mexico on November 7, 2020
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This book is really good, it has many interesting facts and it is easy to read. I really recommend it.
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A M BALASUBRAMANIAM
5.0 out of 5 stars Must read for English aficionados
Reviewed in India on July 10, 2021
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A good book on history of English, usage, pronunciation. Some of the anecdotes narrated are interesting. It is English demystified.
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